Does it matter if I necessarily feel a muscle with a certain exercise? Do it anyway?

Not feeling a muscle during an exercise doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not working. Some muscles, like stabilizers, engage without producing that noticeable burn or pump sensation. However, if you’re consistently struggling to feel the target muscle, it’s worth tweaking a few things:

- **Check your form**—small adjustments in posture or angle can make a big difference.
- **Slow down the tempo**—a controlled movement helps improve mind-muscle connection.
- **Try pre-activation techniques**—light isolation exercises beforehand can help wake up stubborn muscles.
- **Experiment with variations**—some exercises might be better suited to your mechanics.

As long as the exercise is functional and effective, it’s still worth doing!