Proper Weightlifting Form

When you get into the weight room/area, a lot of guys bring their egos with them. Here, that means trying to put up more weight than the guy next to you. This is exactly where you will get hurt. If you are lifting more weight than you should, your form will be bad and you will get hurt.

Check your ego at the door, here’s some tips to make sure you lift with good form.

• Start with light weights about the amount you think your mom might max out at and move up from there.
• Keep a log of what you lift for each exercise—note whether it felt light or heavy so you know whether to decrease or increase the weight or keep it the same next time.
• Think of the muscle you’re working. If you don’t feel it flexing than some other muscle is moving the weight for you—there’s a good chance your form is wrong. There’s a lot of exercises out there and they all have nuances for proper form…this is a good rule of thumb for proper form.
• As you move into higher weights and want to test your limits, get a spotter or use a Smith machine to make sure you don’t really hurt yourself.

Remember, for most of us, the important thing is not how much weight you push but what your physique looks like as a result of your work. Proper form will get you a nice physique faster than poor form!!