How Important is Good Form?

[Blondell]

How important is good form in injury prevention and progress? Also, how would one go about correcting bad form?

[RpH]

Going for the Poster of the Month Award? :D

[Blondell]

I don't think I qualify. :lol:

[Erik]

How important is good form in injury prevention and progress? Also, how would one go about correcting bad form?

Critical

I think sometimes we get caught up in the more weight, more weight, more weight mentality - a form of 'quantification syndrome' if you will.

While we all know that progressive overload is a key aspect of progress, it's not the only way to progress.

It's not just how much you lift. It's more importantly about HOW you lift how much you're lifting.

If you're benching 150lbs (and hoping for better pec development) and you get up to 175, but your shoulders and triceps start taking over a greater percentage of the load, that's not going to help your pecs.

How much intramuscular stress is placed on the muscle is what we're after.

That 'mind/muscle' connection that comes with time is key.

[MichelleS]

Cool. I'm glad you asked this B

[Noel Clark]

Critical

I think sometimes we get caught up in the more weight, more weight, more weight mentality - a form of 'quantification syndrome' if you will.

While we all know that progressive overload is a key aspect of progress, it's not the only way to progress.

It's not just how much you lift. It's more importantly about HOW you lift how much you're lifting.

If you're benching 150lbs (and hoping for better pec development) and you get up to 175, but your shoulders and triceps start taking over a greater percentage of the load, that's not going to help your pecs.

How much intramuscular stress is placed on the muscle is what we're after.

That 'mind/muscle' connection that comes with time is key.
:clap:

So many times I see ppl in my gym upping the weight and their form was so bad. I always ask 'where do you feel that?"

I think the hardest part is correcting the form though. I know that if I asked one of the trainers in my gym.."is this form right?" They wouldn't know nor would they be able to correct it if it was wrong.

[cr8tive_eye]

interesting, i once had a trainer (not a very good one though he had me on hours of cardio, always 15-20 reps and a very fat free diet) but when we did exercises he would always make sure i made that mind muscle connection and he said to squeeze the muscle is that important, does that make any sense??

[Noel Clark]

interesting, i once had a trainer (not a very good one though he had me on hours of cardio, always 15-20 reps and a very fat free diet) but when we did exercises he would always make sure i made that mind muscle connection and he said to squeeze the muscle is that important, does that make any sense??

Good post.
I think that mind/ muscle connection is VERY important. A lot of times I don't see people even paying attention to what muscle they are working.

[Jenn_in_FL]

I agree with the mind muscle connection. So many times I see people just flinging weight around. No concentration whatsoever.

[Meechel]

I have to admit I have focused on form a bit more but I also used to have a trainer right there on me last time adjusting my form.

I do need to focus a little more on mind muscle connection....with my RDL's I do this well....other times I am thinking about my goals and why I am doing this (which isn't bad thing just wrong time) instead I need to focus on the muscles.

[Amy]

I have to admit I have focused on form a bit more but I also used to have a trainer right there on me last time adjusting my form.

I do need to focus a little more on mind muscle connection....with my RDL's I do this well....other times I am thinking about my goals and why I am doing this (which isn't bad thing just wrong time) instead I need to focus on the muscles.

I have noticed a huge difference now that I focus on the mind muscle connection. Bench is one area but also with my deadlifts. Back seems to be an area where I see people just going through the motions. Its taken me some time to really focus on all of these muscle groups, and I still have lots of areas that need improvement.

I don't see how these people can :blah: their entire training session and really feel like they are getting an effective workout. :shrug:

[Gnat]

I have noticed a huge difference now that I focus on the mind muscle connection. Bench is one area but also with my deadlifts. Back seems to be an area where I see people just going through the motions. Its taken me some time to really focus on all of these muscle groups, and I still have lots of areas that need improvement.

I don't see how these people can :blah: their entire training session and really feel like they are getting an effective workout. :shrug:

:yeahthat:

[smuggie]

I don't see how these people can :blah: their entire training session and really feel like they are getting an effective workout. :shrug:

:ditto:

[NachoSpice]

I have noticed a huge difference now that I focus on the mind muscle connection. Bench is one area but also with my deadlifts. Back seems to be an area where I see people just going through the motions. Its taken me some time to really focus on all of these muscle groups, and I still have lots of areas that need improvement.

I've been in the gym off and on for a few years, but have just this year really started to understand the mind/muscle connection... boy what a difference! Definitately makes my workouts more effective.

BUT... I'm still searching for the connection with my back... one day :grrr:

[Chavez "luctor et emergo"]

Critical

I think sometimes we get caught up in the more weight, more weight, more weight mentality - a form of 'quantification syndrome' if you will.

While we all know that progressive overload is a key aspect of progress, it's not the only way to progress.

It's not just how much you lift. It's more importantly about HOW you lift how much you're lifting.

If you're benching 150lbs (and hoping for better pec development) and you get up to 175, but your shoulders and triceps start taking over a greater percentage of the load, that's not going to help your pecs.

How much intramuscular stress is placed on the muscle is what we're after.

That 'mind/muscle' connection that comes with time is key.

Gotta print this out and tape it to the mirrors and walls at my gym! E-Z Bar Curling with 45lbs plates is not so great when you swing your entire body to get the weight up.

[sarahlou]

Critical

I think sometimes we get caught up in the more weight, more weight, more weight mentality - a form of 'quantification syndrome' if you will.

While we all know that progressive overload is a key aspect of progress, it's not the only way to progress.

It's not just how much you lift. It's more importantly about HOW you lift how much you're lifting.

If you're benching 150lbs (and hoping for better pec development) and you get up to 175, but your shoulders and triceps start taking over a greater percentage of the load, that's not going to help your pecs.

How much intramuscular stress is placed on the muscle is what we're after.

That 'mind/muscle' connection that comes with time is key.

Ah so here's my question then do you think that this is why some people grow more quickly than others because they make that connection?

[Erik]

Ah so here's my question then do you think that this is why some people grow more quickly than others because they make that connection?

Is it WHY some people grow more quickly than others? Not solely no, as there are a myriad of reasons for that.

But is it one potential culprit? I'd say yes, certainly.