Are There Really IFBB PRO Athletes Who Can’t Build the System?

vucuthocasi
Jun 21
2 min read

Author: IFBB PRO COACH CAN ÜNAL

Today, many elite athletes competing in the IFBB PRO League possess tremendous genetic potential, impressive muscle mass, and undeniable stage presence. But this doesn’t always mean they’ve mastered neuromuscular awareness—or in other words, the muscle-mind connection.

The Lack of Muscle-Mind Connection: A Real IFBB PRO Problem

Many athletes in the IFBB PRO League showcase extraordinary physiques, but fail to establish a true mind-muscle connection. In this article, we’ll explore the anatomy of IFBB PRO athletes who struggle—or outright fail—to develop this critical system.

Anatomical Superiority ≠ Quality

Some PROs are simply “born to grow” due to factors like high testosterone sensitivity, dense muscle fiber composition, or advantageous tendon insertions. However, that doesn’t always translate to high-quality performance. Often, these athletes:

Can’t feel the target muscle contracting
Focus solely on completing the movement
Exhibit poor muscle control

The result? Impressive size, but lacking in refinement—especially in key areas like:

Posterior deltoid
Vastus medialis (inner quad)
Glute-ham tie-in
Lower lats
Oblique lines

What Happens Without a Muscle-Mind Connection?

Problem Area	Explanation
Loss of Aesthetics	Muscles may be large, but appear “empty” and lack detail
Asymmetrical Growth	Left-right or front-back imbalances become more obvious
Weak Posing	Failure to activate muscles during posing creates a “closed” and weak appearance
Injury Risk	Poor connection leads to joint/tendon stress rather than muscle loading
Lack of Pump	Blood doesn't efficiently reach the muscle, limiting fullness post-workout

Why Can’t They Build the System?

Old-School Mentality“Lift heavy, pain means gain” still dominates the mindset.
Poor Neurological FeedbackFocusing on the movement, not the muscle. “If the bar goes up, it’s good enough.”
Lack of Technical CoachingAthletes don’t understand which angle targets which muscle—and aren’t taught.
Ego and Load ObsessionThe myth persists: “Lighter weights don’t work.”

Periodization Gaps in Connection

Most PROs never create training cycles focused on building the muscle-mind connection. This leads to stagnation in both off-season and contest prep phases.

What Should Be Done Instead?

Phase	Recommended Focus
Early Off-Season	Isolation + tempo-based awareness-building blocks
Mid-Prep Season	Mind-muscle focused blocks on glutes, obliques, and rear delts
Pre-Peak Week	High-intensity contraction work to sharpen and define muscle details

Here’s the Truth:

Anatomical superiority might earn you a PRO card—But the muscle-mind connection wins shows.

It’s not a luxury. It’s a requirement for sustainable elite-level success.Every PRO should learn, apply, and periodize this system into their programming.

FINAL THOUGHT:

Becoming an IFBB PRO ≠ Building the Mind-Muscle System
Big Muscles ≠ High-Quality Physique
Winning doesn’t start with size. It starts with awareness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

IFBB PRO COACH CAN ÜNAL is a long-time performance coach, preparing competitors at both national and international levels. He specializes in contest prep, mind-muscle connection systems, training periodization, and supplement protocols. As an IFBB Pro League promoter and athlete advisor, Can Ünal produces expert-level content focused on stage aesthetics, symmetry optimization, and muscle detailing.

Expertise: Hypertrophy physiology, neurological activation, peak week executionPhilosophy: Science-based, field-tested. Systems measured by results, not theory.Platforms: Instagram, YouTube, Seminars, Private Contest Prep Camps