Training Form...

[Dubs]

Hey guys
Quick poll for you guys.

When you guys lift, do you use PERFECT text book form, or find out what works best for your body, even if its not whats considered perfect form, and use it because it works for your body?

The reason Im asking is because my form on some exercises is not what most would consider "perfect" form, but over the years, ive found what works for my body. Sometimes i get criticized for it, and i just tell them i found what works for me.

So what do you guys think?

Perfect form?
Or what works for your body?

 

[Test_Eagles]

I always run textbook form, but maybe one day w/more experience Ill change it up. Some guys are just biomechanically so well built they can get away with terrible forms. I've seen some big guys with obvious result just lifting horribly. I generally just play it safe and try to protect my joints more.

The thing is, you can think something works for your body, but it'll be years before you actually realise it dosn't work, but potentially too late to stop the injuries at that point. I mean sometimes I see guys doing box squats a certain way and just cringe, but they still walk out of the gym everyday just fine, they think it works for their bodies. It's not until 5-10 years later when they've ruined their backs they say "Oh.."

 

[Dubs]

I always run textbook form, but maybe one day w/more experience Ill change it up. Some guys are just biomechanically so well built they can get away with terrible forms. I've seen some big guys with obvious result just lifting horribly. I generally just play it safe and try to protect my joints more.

The thing is, you can think something works for your body, but it'll be years before you actually realise it dosn't work, but potentially too late to stop the injuries at that point. I mean sometimes I see guys doing box squats a certain way and just cringe, but they still walk out of the gym everyday just fine, they think it works for their bodies. It's not until 5-10 years later when they've ruined their backs they say "Oh.."

Im not talking about HORRIBLE form. I mean like slight variation to what most consider the "Right" way of doing things.

 

[Blenderate]

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[tkav1980]

I wasn't sure how to answer the poll, because the definition of perfect textbook form will differ depending on who you ask. It also is dependent somewhat on individual body structure, goals, and training history.

For instance, most people think that perfect form for a barbell curl is keeping your whole body straight, moving only your forearms as you lift the weight. This may work if you're only curling 50 pounds, but I dare anybody to try to keep this kind of rigid form with 150 pounds. The weight would cause you to fall forward on your face if you didn't lean back some!

you make a good point here. i just think where injury risk is higher like deads, squats, bench, shoulder presses, proper form is mandatory. but curls, rope push downs, stuff like that its hard to keep perfect form and push the kind of weight necessary to grow. try to do tricep pressdowns with the whole stack and a 100lb plate on it without leaning into it.

 

[Shelby]

try to do tricep pressdowns with the whole stack and a 100lb plate on it without leaning into it.

I bet TP4U could.

 

[tkav1980]

I bet TP4U could.

lol ok freaks of nature aside!

 

[Blenderate]

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[ENraged]

I fear hurting my back big time so I use text book form on everything.

 

[olded]

You should always try to use good form when lifting, but not every rep is going to be perfect. Plus as you get stronger your form may change to use the strongest muscles in your body to lift the weight. This may mean that your back is your strogest muscle group and when you squat you use perfect form, but as you get near your limit, your upper back may have you rounding over some what to complete max squats. Form should always be number one in a lifters book, but the changing of your form to complete a lift may require addtional or stronger muscle groups to help complete the lift. Go to any powerlifting contest and you will see that form is not the only thing moving the weights. This is just my opinion and I hope it helps.

 

[RSH)&]

I use proper form for my heavy sets (anything over 315). It's necessary for me to avoid injury. When warming up, then forms may vary a little.

 

[kid1dakota]

proper form to failure then a little body english to get a few extra reps.

 

[SacToSD]

proper form to failure then a little body english to get a few extra reps.

That sounds good to me

 

[JETHRO TULL]

I am much more interested in doing things safely and using good form.

I don't want to ruin my joints and tear muscles simply to lift something heavy.

If you've ever been hurt and can't train because you were a dumbass, you'll start thinking about more about using good form.

For some reason I was particularily strong on lying tricep extensions and used to load some heavy weight on the bar doing those. I could do more than all my friends who did the same exercise...one day my left elbow really tweaked..sharp pain. Now it bugs the shit out of me and I spend lots of time warming everything up. If I had it all to do over....I'd be a lot more concerned with good form and not so much about heaving up heavy shit in the gym at the expense of good form.
That's my opinion.

 

[Mega Squat]

some cheating.. but most is strict

 

[617ricky]

I have something I do with BB curls that I feel works for me.. I do 2 sets of strict curls, bar going all the way down to my thighs.. But the last 2 sets I pile on more weight, more than I could do a full strict curl with - and I do only the top half of the curl.. I really feel it right in the bicep, more than had I just done 4 normal sets..

 

[richie34]

text book for me although rom is a little short if we are talking real text book,hope to hire phil eventualy and suspect im doing similar form as he recomends but maybe not? i just like to feel things properly but not where im haveing to use too lighter weight. and like to do at least 8to 10 reps.

 

[Adrenolin]

Good form is a must.

I thought I was using good form on flat bench, but I still managed to strain a tendon in my shoulder. I think it was probably more so from heavy weight..

 

[Adrenolin]

I don't want to ruin my joints and tear muscles simply to lift something heavy.

If you've ever been hurt and can't train because you were a dumbass, you'll start thinking about more about using good form.

I didn't injure myself on Incline, but my form is very similar on flat, though more slow and controlled.

How bad is my form here.? (This was about two weeks after the injury)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiQ_JcXO0sI

 

[rippedout]

i try to keep the best form i can. i train alone, so sometimes i video myself (at home) to check my form.

hardly anyone squats or does deads, so asking a gym member to check my form is out of the question.

i would say the military press is a must on good form.