Is Bad Form EVER O.K. in Re:Increase the Weight?

N.K. · 10-30-2009, 06:44 PM

Basically my title states it. I am a fanatic when it comes to form BUT I am so incredibly weak right now re-building after a long bout of illness, I am finding that i have to sacrifice my form a bit.

Big issue is no training partner to spot me so when I go up in the weight (and I need too here and there) I find my form is really sacrificed in some exercises. I am knowledgable enough to know when to site for injury given my background so don't worry about coaching me to be careful on that.

But are there ANY circumstances when a lil crappy form is "O.k." in order to make some gains in increasing the weight. My gut answer is "No" but I would like to hear from those who are experienced trainers or strength and conditioning coaches.

Please advise.

Thx! - N.K.

powhippie · 10-30-2009, 06:47 PM

im not experienced by any means but i have always heard its good to to always keep to strict form cause then u engage more muscles. ex. standing bicep curl can engage back muscles to. not sure if thats right tho

N.K. · 10-30-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powhippie

im not experienced by any means but i have always heard its good to to always keep to strict form cause then u engage more muscles. ex. standing bicep curl can engage back muscles to. not sure if thats right tho

No that's sound lik what I was always told but I am "hoping" in some cases it might be o.k. It jus sucks when you don't have a training partner/spotter and u r tryin to move up the weight..........

Thx 4 ur response - I really appreciate it!

Masta_of_Riddum · 10-30-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N.K.

Basically my title states it. I am a fanatic when it comes to form BUT I am so incredibly weak right now re-building after a long bout of illness, I am finding that i have to sacrifice my form a bit.

Big issue is no training partner to spot me so when I go up in the weight (and I need too here and there) I find my form is really sacrificed in some exercises. I am knowledgable enough to know when to site for injury given my background so don't worry about coaching me to be careful on that.

But are there ANY circumstances when a lil crappy form is "O.k." in order to make some gains in increasing the weight. My gut answer is "No" but I would like to hear from those who are experienced trainers or strength and conditioning coaches.

Please advise.

Thx! - N.K.

theres dirty cheating and clean cheating if you do cheat say on a curl or barbell row its ok sometimes to "heav" the weight up thru the positive but the negative is ALWAYS controlled and last 3-5 seconds

mtfx · 10-30-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masta_of_Riddum

theres dirty cheating and clean cheating if you do cheat say on a curl or barbell row its ok sometimes to "heav" the weight up thru the positive but the negative is ALWAYS controlled and last 3-5 seconds

^This. beat me to it man

N.K. · 10-30-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masta_of_Riddum

theres dirty cheating and clean cheating if you do cheat say on a curl or barbell row its ok sometimes to "heav" the weight up thru the positive but the negative is ALWAYS controlled and last 3-5 seconds

hmmmmm......o.k. this gives me something to think about, I clearly needed this ans. cause what I am doing is not along these lines and I can work w/this.

I will review my program and note accordingly and Thx so muc for letting me know that it's "O.k. to Cheat!!" YEAH!! oh as far weight lifting goes that is..........lol

Thx buddy!! & The "Others"

mtfx · 10-30-2009, 07:05 PM

You really should hold to your best form as best you can. Yeah, its a hit to the ego to drop weight, I know

I just recently had a shoulder injury and it only put me out for a little bit, but in that time the weight I had to drop was quite noticeable. When I went back to the weights, I had a hard time accepting I had to drop weight as much as I did.

In the end, you are preventing injury. I tend to really only get away with Bicep exercises for cheating. SOME shoulder.

I wish you the best on your journey back to the top

BigRick87 · 10-30-2009, 07:37 PM

Cut the weights down if you need too. No sense in going heavier and hurting yourself because you want to lift bigger weights ( ego). With that being said, I believe in moving heavy weight, and I dont beleive so much in "perfect form all the time" but I rather believe in "good" form.

N.K. · 10-30-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRick87

Cut the weights down if you need too. No sense in going heavier and hurting yourself because you want to lift bigger weights ( ego). With that being said, I believe in moving heavy weight, and I dont beleive so much in "perfect form all the time" but I rather believe in "good" form.

It's definetly not ego for me, what happens is I plateau off (but not a real plateau due to over training or anything), I just hit a spot where I can't bring up the weight on some exercises (like skull crushers for one) and I am forever stuck at a low weight.

I was thinking the whole "ecto-runner's body" is maybe sometimes an issue with certain exercise and gains. I am Very careful in respect to injury so not to worry on that.

thx!!

heavytwenty · 10-31-2009, 03:09 AM

Can't recall seeing anyone lift heavy weights and still have strict form on things like bent over barbell rows.

I think cheating is okay on certain exercises.

tmac4919 · 10-31-2009, 04:49 AM

There is a big difference between "cheating" and sloppy form. The heavier the weight you are moving, the more your form will slip. The key is to know how much your form can slip without causing injury.

muscleweakness · 10-31-2009, 06:51 AM

i dont agree with a lot of you at all.ive tried bicep curls with correct form and lighter weight and its useless.ive got massive arms and i use as much as i can handle and semi good form.ie i always do it controlled but never let the bar go past half way down then back up.as long as you are slowly lowering heavy weight on the down turn it will kill your bicep muscle and explode it.its the only way i can build big arms with heavier weight.all the other excersises i use good form and moderate weight.

kittyboy · 10-31-2009, 07:02 AM

If you cheat, you're only cheating yourself. Poor form eventually leads to injury. Also, if you cheat on bicep curls (for example) and change it into more of a back exercise, then you're no longer targeting your biceps. What's the point of even doing the lift then?

If you get stalled on a particular lift, change up your set/rep scheme. And make sure you're eating enough; if you're not getting enough calories and macronutrients, you're not going to make any gains. You should make progress every session, whether it's added weight or an extra rep or two on a set.

muscleweakness · 10-31-2009, 07:07 AM

i agree if your swinging the weight or using your back its useless.but i just dont let it go down to my thighs as much thats what im trying to say.it allows you to lift more with 90 percent form.but i agree not using your biceps is pointless if thats what this guy is asking.