You’re better off posting this in a gym sub. While lots of people here work out as part of their health goals, not everyone does and not everyone who works out lifts. There’s lots of subs better suited for this kind of question.
I recommend re-posting your question in the recurring beginner thread in r/naturalbodybuilding to get a variety of helpful perspectives. In short, feeling the target muscle is helpful but not required to build that muscle. You need to record your lifting progress over time (amount of weight you can lift, number of reps, measurements of your muscles) in order to know if your workout is accomplishing your goals. If you don't track and monitor your progress, you won't hit your goals. Same exact thing MacroFactor is doing for your nutrition.
Agree with u/zestyclose_ranger_78. We aren’t trying to be dismissive.
To answer your question, however:
Especially since you are a beginner, you need to first make sure your form is correct. There are lots of ways you can cheat a rep by engaging muscles other than your target muscles to assist in an exercise. For example, if your back is too flat and your arms aren’t positioned correctly, you will engage your shoulders in the bench press. Proper form is key.
Also, as a beginner, start with lower weights and perform slower reps while trying to feel the muscles you are targeting. There’s a concept called mind-muscle connection which you will want to develop to get the most out of your workouts.
Also, check out jeff nippard on YouTube
Both him and RP have excellent content and really breakdown hypertrophy and setting up programs.
As someone said, make sure form is solid and control the weights and build good mind muscle connection with the exercise.
Schedule deload weeks and active rest recovery and have a plan of attack.
Most of all, enjoy the journey and have fun
Compound exercises won't feel the same as isolation exercises, so I wouldn't worry about that unless you have another reason to suspect your form or execution of an exercise is poor.
In line with slowing your reps down, you could also practice the concept of "constant tension" for a while. Should be somewhat self-explanatory - but basically you don't rest between reps, don't use any momentum, and try to have each rep look more or less the same on your way to failure. It's brutal if you aren't accustomed to it, but IMO great for building mind-muscle connection on certain exercises.
You should check out the Renaissance Periodization channel on YouTube, specifically the exercise selection video. You may or may not be doing it properly, but without video no one can tell you. ‘Feeling’ the muscle isn’t always an accurate indicator of effectiveness
You’re better off posting this in a gym sub. While lots of people here work out as part of their health goals, not everyone does and not everyone who works out lifts. There’s lots of subs better suited for this kind of question.
I recommend re-posting your question in the recurring beginner thread in r/naturalbodybuilding to get a variety of helpful perspectives. In short, feeling the target muscle is helpful but not required to build that muscle. You need to record your lifting progress over time (amount of weight you can lift, number of reps, measurements of your muscles) in order to know if your workout is accomplishing your goals. If you don't track and monitor your progress, you won't hit your goals. Same exact thing MacroFactor is doing for your nutrition.
Agree with u/zestyclose_ranger_78. We aren’t trying to be dismissive. To answer your question, however: Especially since you are a beginner, you need to first make sure your form is correct. There are lots of ways you can cheat a rep by engaging muscles other than your target muscles to assist in an exercise. For example, if your back is too flat and your arms aren’t positioned correctly, you will engage your shoulders in the bench press. Proper form is key. Also, as a beginner, start with lower weights and perform slower reps while trying to feel the muscles you are targeting. There’s a concept called mind-muscle connection which you will want to develop to get the most out of your workouts.
Also, check out jeff nippard on YouTube Both him and RP have excellent content and really breakdown hypertrophy and setting up programs. As someone said, make sure form is solid and control the weights and build good mind muscle connection with the exercise. Schedule deload weeks and active rest recovery and have a plan of attack. Most of all, enjoy the journey and have fun
Compound exercises won't feel the same as isolation exercises, so I wouldn't worry about that unless you have another reason to suspect your form or execution of an exercise is poor. In line with slowing your reps down, you could also practice the concept of "constant tension" for a while. Should be somewhat self-explanatory - but basically you don't rest between reps, don't use any momentum, and try to have each rep look more or less the same on your way to failure. It's brutal if you aren't accustomed to it, but IMO great for building mind-muscle connection on certain exercises.
Thank you for all the comments! I tried posting it in another group but it wouldn't let me because my accounts isn't really active.
You should check out the Renaissance Periodization channel on YouTube, specifically the exercise selection video. You may or may not be doing it properly, but without video no one can tell you. ‘Feeling’ the muscle isn’t always an accurate indicator of effectiveness