Proper Technique Over Weight

Let’s talk about why form and technique for the beginner is much more important then heavy weight.

Go in any commercial gym and what do you see? Members lifting tons of heavy weights, and only about 5% of those people are using proper form.

The most common weight training injuries are related to poor exercise technique.  Incorrect technique can pull, rip or wrench any muscle in the human body.

It can also tear delicate connective tissues in a matter of seconds. Lack of control when using br execution in weight training is important in order to reduce chances of injury and gain maximum resarbells or dumbbells can be lethal especially when a beginner starts training.

When someone starts to build muscles, it is important to keep proper form so that tissues move in the right direction and grow correctly.

There are men that have slightly deformed muscles — crooked shoulders — in gyms around the world, partly due to bad form where the muscles adapt to the incorrect movement and grow accordingly. Execute the brief pointers below to help insure proper weight training technique.

Start with a lower weight and make sure that the form is perfect.

Progressively increase the weight until you can still press the weight without cheating.

Jerking the weight will only result in potential injuries and bad muscle formation.

Bodybuilders often cheat to really burn the muscle for complete exhaustion. It is not recommended for casual trainers to cheat, therefore respect the integrity of the exercise and drop the last rep if it cannot be completed with good form. Learn how to miss a rep safely; learn when to bail out (without worrying about your ego).

Too many times, at a bench press for example, guys arch their backs to press the weight in the final rep. Instead of cheating with the back, ask someone to give you a spot. A good spotter will give you the extra confidence to complete the last repetition with excellent form. Learning how to perform the exercise is a prerequisite. Strive to become a technical perfectionist and respect the basic motion of each body part.

No twisting, turning or contorting should result when pushing or pulling weight.

Concentrate on the movement and feel the muscle working. If you’re distracted, preoccupied or nonchalant when working out, you’re inviting injury and poor results.

A regular training program should last 45 to 60 minutes. Therefore, focus on the task at hand and increase awareness of your muscle growth. It’s simple; more concentration equates to more effective muscle reaction, and more muscle reaction equals to more muscle growth.

Rob Quimby, CPT

Owner, Fitness Lifestyle LLC

513-772-4530
www.fitnesslifestylellc.com
fitnesslifestyle67@gmail.com
rob@fitnesslifestylellc.com

Rob is the owner and founder of Fitness Lifestyle Personal Training. He has been training for over thirty-three years; seventeen of those years as a personal trainer helping others reach their goals.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

The 12 Days of Fitmas Challenge

The 12 Days of Fitmas Challenge

Regular exercise will help you blow off some stress, boost your immunity, improve your sleep and lower your risk of a long list of chronic diseases. This workout is proof that you can get all those benefits in a short amount of time!

read more

MORE FROM THE BLOG

This might explain a few things…

This might explain a few things…

When I was growing up, mornings in my house were EPIC. And by epic, I mean the stuff of legendary family stories that live on to this day. That’s because some of them were absolute chaos!  (Sorry, Mom and Dad, for spilling the beans!) Everyone was struggling to...

read more
4 Ways Accountability can Help You Reach Your Goals

4 Ways Accountability can Help You Reach Your Goals

Let’s talk about ACCOUNTABILITY because a lot of people get it wrong. It’s a shame because when done RIGHT, it can skyrocket your progress… And even help you hit goals that you thought were out of your reach! First: let’s clear up a common misconception: ...

read more
Get stronger (without lifting heavier)

Get stronger (without lifting heavier)

Here’s one of my favorite (and simple!) tricks that can help you: Boost your strength Work your core Improve your balance Build athleticism Rev up the fun factor in your workouts It’s called unilateral training… which is a fancy term for using just one arm or one leg!...

read more
Here’s an inside secret…

Here’s an inside secret…

Did you know your brain has a secret superpower? It's true — our brains are hardwired to thrive on support, especially when we're chasing down big goals. It's how we've survived for centuries. Which leads me to this really important question: Do you have...

read more