A Critical Component of Exercise: Maintaining Proper Form

A sure-fire way to improve muscular strength is to lift weights. The purpose of strength training is to use the weight to cause muscular fatigue, not to use your muscles to move the weight. Good form and technique are crucial to engaging the correct muscles during exercise, and building a strong, balanced physique.

The predominant reason to maintain good form is to prevent injury. When lifting heavy weight it is our body's natural tendency to take the easiest route to accomplish the task. Most of the time this route isn't necessarily the best in terms of proper muscle recruitment. When your trainer cues you to, "keep your shoulders down", "brace your core", "squeeze your shoulder blades", "push through you heals", etc... their goal is to keep you in proper form. Lifting a lighter weight with good form is better than lifting a heavier weight with poor form. Poor form will ultimately lead to injury.

If you have to gather momentum, or wiggle your body out of proper alignment in order to move the weight, the weight is most likely too heavy. We eliminate this tendency by making you move slowly through the movement. This keeps your muscles engaged the whole time, allowing you to focus on keeping good form, and limits the possibility of injury.

We also want you to focus on your breathing during your workout. You should never hold your breath. This can create a lot of internal pressure in your core, causing your blood pressure to rise, making you feel light headed and nauseous. Instead, we want you to breathe freely. When the weight starts to become challenging, try short little breaths. Almost as if you are panting. By staying in good form, focusing on your breath, and controlling the weight, you will build a stronger and more balanced physique in a shorter amount of time. So next time the weight gets hard, continue to exert force without holding your breath or losing your form.