Three Common Gym Errors

[Synpax]

In the gym, I often see guys doing exercises wrong – typically in one of three ways – all due to working with too much weight.

The most common error is using momentum to move a weight rather than muscle.

The other common error is incomplete movements – most common with squats (legs not going to parallel) and the bench press (bar not going to the chest).

The third error is using poor form and using un-targeted auxiliary muscles to complete a movement.

These errors can lead to injury and reduce the effectiveness of the movements.

Be a man. Drop the weight and do it right.

 

[docoptimus]

great post.

that's like 99% of everyone I've ever seen lift a weight.

 

[dr.shavargo]

many people will argue the not going all the way to the chest on bench though, some say its not neccessary and just go 90 degrees, to each their own though.

 

[Synpax]

many people will argue the not going all the way to the chest on bench though, some say its not neccessary and just go 90 degrees, to each their own though.

I don't find the chest muscles get activated as much if you don't get it pretty close to the chest. Do you not sense this as well? It seems those chest muscles really do the bulk of the work getting it back up those few inches.

And, ok, 90 degrees may be the preference of some (and for some, that can get very close to the chest, too) - but this is intended as a critique of those that don't go that far.

 

[Big A]

it is not neccessary to go parallel for squats, depends what your goals are, a lot of my freinds who are rugby players at the national level do not go parallel.

 

[dr.shavargo]

I don't find the chest muscles get activated as much if you don't get it pretty close to the chest. Do you not sense this as well? It seems those chest muscles really do the bulk of the work getting it back up those few inches.

And, ok, 90 degrees may be the preference of some (and for some, that can get very close to the chest, too) - but this is intended as a critique of those that don't go that far.

yea i understand what your saying. your talking about the guys who just take it off bend their elbows a little bit then put right back on pretty much? thats dumb. and yea my 90 is pretty close to my chest anyway.. when i do squats my ass almost hits the floor when i do burnout sets but on heavy weights i go parallel or as much as i can atleast.

that reminds me, tomorrow is leg day.. shit!

 

[iansb08]

I have jus finished a fitness instructor course an the way the 'book' is teaching to do bench press is lower the bar until your elbos are inline with your shoulder blades, going past that an they say it recruits some shoulder etc. Although my personal experiance is that taking the bar about an inch above the chest seems to work the pecs alot harader.

Its down to personal preferences with what ever you do, my personal opinion is to take it down low an screw what the book says lol

 

[bblazer]

it is not neccessary to go parallel for squats, depends what your goals are, a lot of my freinds who are rugby players at the national level do not go parallel.

I'm not trying to be rude, or start something, but I think your friends may know a lot about rugby but do not know how to do a proper squat.

Not only are they not getting the complete benefit of the exercise by not going parallel, but in addition, they are creating the most shearing force possible on the knee.

B-

 

[SouthernLord]

I'm not trying to be rude, or start something, but I think your friends may know a lot about rugby but ado not know how to do a proper squat.

Not only are they not getting the complete benefit of the exercise by going parallel, but they are creating the most shearing force possible on the knee.

B-

The truth.

 

[djeclipse]

I'm not trying to be rude, or start something, but I think your friends may know a lot about rugby but do not know how to do a proper squat.

Not only are they not getting the complete benefit of the exercise by not going parallel, but in addition, they are creating the most shearing force possible on the knee.

B-

You beat me to it.

+1