Form leads to strength..

[WODIN]

How many use this as a guiding principal in your lifting?

It is my credo in the gym to always stress proper form on my lifts throughout a set before I move up in weight. I design my upward pyramid around this philosophy.

Why?

1. On all lefts you pull in more secondary muscle groups quicker than cheat reps every will.

2. It will give you a guide line against which to measure when you are beginning to cheat or reps.

3. You can set your rep tempo easier by emphasizing form and then your tempo becomes second nature over time.

4. You won't look like a total assclown.

If you are a novice lifter then every workout you do for 3 months should focus on nothing but tempo and form. It takes that long to train your muscle memory since you will only be training a muscle group 12 to 14 times in that time period.

Intermediate and advanced lifters should set aside 1 workout a month to refocus on form and temp because of new growth and muscular adaptation.

[Gymrat]

I agree.

THough I would also like hear some opinions from those who have seen some of the pro bbing videos. Some of these guys use some pretty bad form on lifts. I'm thinking of Kamili and Cutler as examples.

[Friscochick]

Originally posted by Gymrat
I agree.

THough I would also like hear some opinions from those who have seen some of the pro bbing videos. Some of these guys use some pretty bad form on lifts. I'm thinking of Kamili and Cutler as examples.

Exactly!! The weight is so heavy they basically just throw it up there.. This can't give them maximum results! but then you have to think about how they got that big, and if they always had bad form.


I personally, wont move up in weight unless my form is perfect.

For example: I just started squating 150 (i am 5'2 119 pds woman) and i will not move up in weight until i can do perfect form and preform a sumo squat with this weight, this shows me that i am ready for the next step :)

[Stryder364]

Where does gaining confidence in a heavier weight come to play in? I find if I'm ready to move up in weight, the first set of the heavier weight isn't always the prettiest, however as I gain confidence, the form falls right into place. Just my .02.

[WODIN]

Stryder if I can add 2 to 3 reps per set on an established weight I got up anywhere from 10 to 25 pounds.

I think todays training videos are horrible in terms of form and you see a few guys trying to exercise powerlifting styles to execute a basic row or curl. Its ridiculous. Its ego getting in the way.

Watch Pumping Iron Solid forms in most shots.

[JJ]

I totally agree. Most people don't approach weight training as a long term endeavor; I want to lift in a manner that allows me to continue lifting well into my golden years. Using poor form will only shorten my lifting lifecycle.

[Susan]

I can't progress without perfect form, or I will end up dead or wishing I was dead.

[b fold the truth]

My form usually breaks down a little on ME days. I video it...so I can see where it broke down and try to properly asess why this happened. I can hopefully fix it from there.

B True

[GUEST]

Solid post Wodin. I can attest to say that videotaping your workouts can be beneficial. "The tape don't lie."

[Stryder364]

Originally posted by WODIN
Stryder if I can add 2 to 3 reps per set on an established weight I got up anywhere from 10 to 25 pounds.



I guess if I'm feeling good after, I'll push it a little. My weights jumps are usually small. Sometimes just handling a new weight is a good confidence builder.:)

[Lord_Suston]

if your form goes you need to learn where it was weak and why. The you can assess what you need to work on and become better at it. This will keep you safe and make you stronger in the long run

[WODIN]

Originally posted by Lord_Suston
if your form goes you need to learn where it was weak and why. The you can assess what you need to work on and become better at it. This will keep you safe and make you stronger in the long run

Excellent point Lord_Suton.

I find most people lack strength in basic stabilizers that gain in strength from not doing squats, deads and have poor form on the basic flat bench.

Core fundamentals.

[Soon2BCut]

Originally posted by WODIN
How many use this as a guiding principal in your lifting?

It is my credo in the gym to always stress proper form on my lifts throughout a set before I move up in weight. I design my upward pyramid around this philosophy.

Why?

1. On all lefts you pull in more secondary muscle groups quicker than cheat reps every will.

2. It will give you a guide line against which to measure when you are beginning to cheat or reps.

3. You can set your rep tempo easier by emphasizing form and then your tempo becomes second nature over time.

4. You won't look like a total assclown.

If you are a novice lifter then every workout you do for 3 months should focus on nothing but tempo and form. It takes that long to train your muscle memory since you will only be training a muscle group 12 to 14 times in that time period.

Intermediate and advanced lifters should set aside 1 workout a month to refocus on form and temp because of new growth and muscular adaptation.

What tempo do you use for most lifts?

[Louden_Swain]

For me. . .good form prevents injury and promotes better development.

[MrMuscle]

People actually react to have perfect my form has to be.
When i was doing my PT education, the ones who instructed me always asked why i lifted so slow and why i didnt ever cheat. I've always belived in controll over power. No matter what, and this has made it possible for me to lift some pretty havy weights without making it look like im wrestling a snake.

[WODIN]

Originally posted by Soon2BCut
What tempo do you use for most lifts?

5 seconds for resistance and 3 seconds work.

Take one workout a week for to train for tempo till you feel yourself just falling into it. It's a muscle memory thing.

[gollum1234]

Quality over quantitiy. Of course this took me a few years to figure out since the ego generally gets in the way. A decent training video to watch for proper form is Dorian's video. The man was a machine.

[b fold the truth]

As another point...

Good form should give you the best leverage for the best weight to be moved also... Your body should be stronger in perfect form...

You ever watch someone squat 1000+? Do they scream, yell, go nuts, etc...??? Does their form break down ANY??? Nope...if total concentration and perfect form is not met 100% then they miss the lift...

B True

[Soon2BCut]

Originally posted by WODIN
5 seconds for resistance and 3 seconds work.

Take one workout a week for to train for tempo till you feel yourself just falling into it. It's a muscle memory thing.

So you do the negative portion in 5 seconds then 3 seconds up? Do you pause at the bottom at all?

[WODIN]

Originally posted by Soon2BCut
So you do the negative portion in 5 seconds then 3 seconds up? Do you pause at the bottom at all?

Yes and no pause unless I'm really sucking wind. :)