I was recently having a coffee with one of the big guys at my gym and we got on to a very interesting topic. I wanted to share some of the key issues with you guys as I feel it is a very important issue.
Why heavy weight does not always equal huge muscles
The guy who I had the coffee with is a hobby bodybuilder but he has one of the best physiques I have ever seen. His shoulders are huge and round and his back and legs are thick, wide and very strong. He is somewhat of an authority at my gym and we met last year when I dropped a deadlift weight on my toe and he had a good old laugh. We have been friends ever since.
But there is something strange about this big guy: he only uses light weights.
Last week the two of us went out for a coffee to talk about working out and life in general and we got on to the topic of his famous light weights workouts. Here is how the conversation went:
Me: “Why do you only workout with light weights?”
Him: “Okay RT. What do you think the most important element of bodybuilding is?”
Me: “Ummm… technique. Without a doubt.”
Him: “That’s why.”
This is an important lesson to learn but most of us ignore it. The most important thing if you are trying to become a successful bodybuilder is technique. Without proper technique nothing you do in the gym will be as effective as it could be.
Important bodybuilding lessons to remember
Sometimes we forget the important bodybuilding rules because we are caught up in ego. You can try and tell me it is something else but 99% of the time it is ego.
If you know your technique is perfect and still go on to a heavier weight it is ego. It is because you don’t want to look like you are lifting a small weight in front of everyone else. Or, it is because you think that by upping the weight faster you will grow faster than your mates. Ego.
Never let ego or anything else get in the way of good SMART training. Like any sport, bodybuilding requires mastery of many different techniques. If you forget about the techniques you can forget about the results.
Bad technique can also do serious damage
Lifting with a weight you are not ready for damages your technique. This can mean poor muscle growth but it can also mean something else. Take a look at this video to see what trying to lift with bad technique can do.
WARNING - not for the ligththearted.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:36 am
OMG that video is disgustingly painful!!!
May 1st, 2008 at 8:38 am
Man that video is horrible. It made me shudder. The sick thing - I laughed a little.
Hype
May 1st, 2008 at 8:39 am
That dude gets messed up on the bench!!!!
Good advice from the friend though - technique really is supreme!!
Keep it up RT
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:36 am
Yeah that bench press really looks painful. I had a few emails from people complaining but I think it was worth posting it if it saves one person from doing this. Always wrap your thumbs around the bar when doing bench press and never lift without a GOOD spotter!
RT