Partial movement... wtf?

[NorthernBuilder]

I see it alot, at the gym and even vids from people like Ronnie Coleman and other huge dudes that are well known. Benchpress, they dont push it all the way up, it's almost like a half movement, whats up with that?

[Mark1T]

When you get their size and knowledge, you can take more liberties than people with much less muscle (IMO).

[labradarep]

Partial reps while the muscle is in the stretched position is an advanced technique.

I hear ya. I believe in full ROM movements to help develop the muscle through it's full range of motion. Stop just short of lockout to make sure you keep thre muscle under tension.

[Jimislash]

While alot of it may be due to folks trying to use more weight than they should just to say that they can use that particular weight, it may be that some of them are working with previous injuries and full ROM would aggravate those injuries; or maybe they are trying to prevent future injuries as full ROM on some exercises can lead to unnecessary injuries. For strictly bodybuilding purposes, if it is putting on the muscle than it is working. And in the case of Ronnie Coleman it is hard to argue with his success.

[Iron Barbarian]

Like the previous post. A lot of the "Big Dogs" don't do the full extension so they don't lock out their joints with the amount of poundage they use. It's the same for knees when working out legs and elbows during Tri pushdowns. It is for injury prevention.

[egoatdoor]

Originally Posted by Jimislash

While alot of it may be due to folks trying to use more weight than they should just to say that they can use that particular weight, it may be that some of them are working with previous injuries and full ROM would aggravate those injuries; or maybe they are trying to prevent future injuries as full ROM on some exercises can lead to unnecessary injuries. For strictly bodybuilding purposes, if it is putting on the muscle than it is working. And in the case of Ronnie Coleman it is hard to argue with his success.

There are lot of people who do partial reps because they are massaging their egos, but as you said there are good reasons at other times. I strained my rotator cuff for the second time a few weeks ago and I've had to shorten the range of motion on several exercises like benchs, hammer strength chest presses, close grip benches, shoulder presses, barbell curls, etc. to keep strain off the cuff. Its actually turned out to be a good thing so far as my chest seems to have gotten bigger and denser. I think I was actually using more delts in my presses before with a greater range of motion.

[cabexbx]

I agree that most people that I see using partial movements are doing it because of ego. Rarely do I see people doing it as a true training technique. But it's not fair to compare people like Ronnie Coleman's use of partials to those of the average gym goer.

[jgreystoke]

Good post, ego.

[batteryrequired]

Originally Posted by Mark1T

When you get their size and knowledge, you can take more liberties than people with much less muscle (IMO).

Bump

[Skidmarx]

Originally Posted by cabexbx

I agree that most people that I see using partial movements are doing it because of ego. Rarely do I see people doing it as a true training technique. But it's not fair to compare people like Ronnie Coleman's use of partials to those of the average gym goer.

Yeah plus he's on roids.

[IR45N]

Originally Posted by Mark1T

When you get their size and knowledge, you can take more liberties than people with much less muscle (IMO).

Originally Posted by labradarep

Partial reps while the muscle is in the stretched position is an advanced technique.

I hear ya. I believe in full ROM movements to help develop the muscle through it's full range of motion. Stop just short of lockout to make sure you keep thre muscle under tension.

I see it more with guys at the gym who do know what they're doing. As long as you're not doing nothing but partials you don't even have to be the big guy. They're an effective intensity technique.

It's the 1000# leg press loader and 1" movement guy that shouldn't have the liberty.

[jtroster]

Originally Posted by IR45N

It's the 1000# leg press loader and 1" movement guy that shouldn't have the liberty.

We have one of those in my gym. I call him Mr. Wiggle-the-Weights.

[Guff]

Originally Posted by jtroster

We have one of those in my gym. I call him Mr. Wiggle-the-Weights.

I think all gyms have one. We have one too...except he does it with only 2 plates on the leg press.

[Rhinoclan]

As previous posters had stated, it can be an advanced technique, keeping all the tension on the desired muscle. You use as an example the bench press, the upper portion near lock out is mostly tricep tension, and less tension on the pecs, while the lower portion of the movement is almost all pec, no triceps involvment, so by just doing the lower half of the movement, you really focus on the pecs.

[ASWEDE]

I guess it depends on the motivation behind it. We've all seen those ego-lifters who do a partial rep and then claim that as their max. I personally just ignore them.

Then you have guys who do partials because their trying to target the muscle better or trying to get more TUT. Or trying to strenghen a weak point in their lift. And some guys do it because of injuries. Nothing wrong with that. Those guys aren't claiming it as a max. They're just trying to build muscle.

Most people would be better off going full ROM. But some have reasons not to.

[jacktheblack]

you might be seeing them in the middle of a 21 set

7 at the first part of the movement half way

7 doing the top of the movement only

7 doing the whole movement

I have tried 21s and sometimes use them to shake up a routine that feels stale

[JOHN GARGANI]

the more one learns in this sport, and the more mind-muscle connection, the LESS WASTED MOTIONS.


that is it in a nutshell: in their case, the proof is in the proverbial pudding...

there are portions of many movements that do not actually contribute to the proper flexing and tension of the targeted muscle and with time and experience, you learn to work around those particular portions and eliminate them.


to an onlooker, it might seem as if you are not doing "full ROM", but remember, ROM is a relative term and all designations, such as that, are MEANS TO AN END! Tools: for us to bend and shape appropiately.......


(this as opposed to people using some of the absurdly short ROM as described by some of the posters in this thread)

[EYE FOR DETAIL]

a guy as big as Coleman, I wouldn't question his technique.Just as i
hope you wouldn't question my use of a high rep routine,to help me
grow.......DAVE

[NorthernBuilder]

Originally Posted by EYE FOR DETAIL

a guy as big as Coleman, I wouldn't question his technique.Just as i
hope you wouldn't question my use of a high rep routine,to help me
grow.......DAVE

Damn right Im gonna question it! I always say that if a day goes by and I didnt learn a thing, it was a wasted day. When I see someone who knows what theyre doing, and theyre doing something I wouldnt normally do, I wanna know the reasoning behind it.

I see the weight wigglers all the time, too funny. But check out the vid below and you'll see Ronnie doin the partial BP's. It happens at the lower half, not the lockout half. I know some movements should be locked. Im just not used to seeing the partials to such an extent.

http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/rl...=107552#107552

[bodyhard]

Originally Posted by NorthernBuilder

Damn right Im gonna question it! I always say that if a day goes by and I didnt learn a thing, it was a wasted day. When I see someone who knows what theyre doing, and theyre doing something I wouldnt normally do, I wanna know the reasoning behind it.

I see the weight wigglers all the time, too funny. But check out the vid below and you'll see Ronnie doin the partial BP's. It happens at the lower half, not the lockout half. I know some movements should be locked. Im just not used to seeing the partials to such an extent.

http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/rl...=107552#107552

Damn every time I see a video of Ronnie I feel like such a whimp that man is unreal

[EYE FOR DETAIL]

Originally Posted by NorthernBuilder

Damn right Im gonna question it! I always say that if a day goes by and I didnt learn a thing, it was a wasted day. When I see someone who knows what theyre doing, and theyre doing something I wouldnt normally do, I wanna know the reasoning behind it.

I see the weight wigglers all the time, too funny. But check out the vid below and you'll see Ronnie doin the partial BP's. It happens at the lower half, not the lockout half. I know some movements should be locked. Im just not used to seeing the partials to such an extent.

http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/rl...=107552#107552

2 BAD SHOULDERS AND A TORN BICEP FROM THE SHOULDER,THAT IS WHY I USE HIGH REPS. DR. PUT SCREWS IN THE ROTATOR,HE SAID IF YOU TEAR IT I CAN'T FIX IT AGAIN. SO I LEAVE MY EGO AT THE DOOR OF THE GYM........DAVE

[Whiskeyjack]

Originally Posted by JOHN GARGANI

the more one learns in this sport, and the more mind-muscle connection, the LESS WASTED MOTIONS.


that is it in a nutshell: in their case, the proof is in the proverbial pudding...

there are portions of many movements that do not actually contribute to the proper flexing and tension of the targeted muscle and with time and experience, you learn to work around those particular portions and eliminate them.

to an onlooker, it might seem as if you are not doing "full ROM", but remember, ROM is a relative term and all designations, such as that, are MEANS TO AN END! Tools: for us to bend and shape appropiately.......

(this as opposed to people using some of the absurdly short ROM as described by some of the posters in this thread)

Means to an end, not an end in itself. You are not a slave to the movement; the movement is a tool for use as you see fit. I do partial presses in benches and MPs, a la RC. This keeps the tension on the muscles (greater pump) and lets me lift a bit more (such that my "lock out" weight ends up being higher than if I'd simply locked out all the time). Because my pushers have always been weaker and smaller than my pullers, I've tried every combo you can imagine and all that lock outs do in my experience and for my body is give me a rest. This is obviously not the case with power lifts, but then I'm no longer a PLr.

[TwiloMike]

Originally Posted by NorthernBuilder

I see it alot, at the gym and even vids from people like Ronnie Coleman and other huge dudes that are well known. Benchpress, they dont push it all the way up, it's almost like a half movement, whats up with that?

They don't have to. It's a 50/50 split. They push 50, steroids push 50. In the end, full movement with less effort. Total win-win! j/k

[TwiloMike]

Originally Posted by bodyhard

Damn every time I see a video of Ronnie I feel like such a whimp that man is unreal

He's impressive, but I wouldn't hit it.

[poacher]

most the people i see doing half reps do it because the can not handle the weight - and our to proud to use a weight the can handle for full range of motion.