"Cheating" your sets...

[Knockout_Power]

Just wondering thoughts on excessive movements on the odd set. I have started having a friend video some of my heavier sets and Im noticing that my form is not the best (not as strict) but I am getting the pump exactly where I want it. Heres a Ronnie video that gives an example of what Im referring to... he uses a lot of quad to start the weight going up, but does get the squeeze at the top.

Example, @ 5:50 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXjmLukuhiw

I had some of the guys at the gym tell me what Im doing is all for show and not actually helping, but Im finally noticing growth after a lengthy plateau... so is this ok, or should I go back to only lifting what I can do with strict, slow motions? I dont do this with every set, usually just the heaviest set of my first first exercise to burn out the superfiscial muscle group

PS- I am being very mindful of potential injury

-KP

[kelkel]

I didn't look at the video but cheating and movement during an exercise is just fine, IMHO. It helps you push past barriers or sticking points. Obviously certain exercises are not meant for it.

Consider a barbell curl. If you curled only what your lower bicep could handle when extended then you'd actually be short-changing your growth as you're missing the power curve or full strength of the central part of the bicep, where you can handle the most weight.

[AD]

I had some of the guys at the gym tell me what Im doing is all for show and not actually helping, but Im finally noticing growth after a lengthy plateau... so is this ok, or should I go back to only lifting what I can do with strict, slow motions? I dont do this with every set, usually just the heaviest set of my first first exercise to burn out the superfiscial muscle group


PS- I am being very mindful of potential injury

-KP

i would think that based on these 2 points highlighted, you're on the right path.

[Lunk1]

I didn't look at the video but cheating and movement during an exercise is just fine, IMHO. It helps you push past barriers or sticking points. Obviously certain exercises are not meant for it.

Consider a barbell curl. If you curled only what your lower bicep could handle when extended then you'd actually be short-changing your growth as you're missing the power curve or full strength of the central part of the bicep, where you can handle the most weight.

I agree...it's like doing boards for chest. You are working past sticking points by lifting heavier weight and not going all the way to your chest

[Knockout_Power]

Good to hear... I should add that the people telling me Im doing it wrong dont look like they've grown in the years they have been training.

[Armykid93]

Good to hear... I should add that the people telling me Im doing it wrong dont look like they've grown in the years they have been training.

Next time they question you ask the ultimate question.....do you even lift? Lol

[austinite]

CHEATER!!!

jk, agree with kel.

[kelkel]

Another example, for me anyway: Preacher curls. I never take the bar down all the way to lockout. I couldn't imagine doing that. I go maybe 75-80% down. I won't let the weakest part of a movement dictate how much weight I use when I think it will impede development.

[Knockout_Power]

I hear ya, Ive been doing a lot more focusing on a specific ROM for growth. I watch people (especially doing curls) either lock out at the bottom or pass 90 degrees and pull into their chest at the top of the movement because it lets them rest and unload the muscle... whch is completely against what we are trying to do, but whatever, to each their own.

With something like preachers, now I swing it up anyways and use the negatives. Regular curls have done nothing for me in close to 17 years.

[Knockout_Power]

maybe one day I'll make gains like this guy... http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...rol-only-cycle

[Fllifter]

maybe one day I'll make gains like this guy... http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...rol-only-cycle

And only lift for 2 months lll

[Metalject]

I don't see anything wrong with it. I've never seen too many really big guys (big as in very muscular) who follow text book form on a lot of lifts and this goes for chest lifts big time IMO. Years ago I stopped taking my presses all the way to the near lockout point, and what do you know, my chest really started to grow. Where's the stopping point? Probably a little different for everyone but when the shoulders and triceps start taking the brunt of the weight or at least a large portion this is too far IMO. I'll worry about shoulders and triceps when I train shoulders and triceps. Anyway, I'll admit that lifting this way may not be the best approach for raw strength but it definitely works better for growth...and it's actually harder. Just staying with chest press lifts in my example, when you don't let the shoulders and triceps take over you force all the tension to stay on the chest. If you start doing your sets like this and haven't in the past you'll probably have to use less weight but it shouldn't take too long to get back to where you were strength wise.

Anyway, here's a sample of what I'm talking about in case anyone's confused. I'll just stick with another Ronnie clip...why not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKS6AYWy-1c

[austinite]

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah buddy!!!!!!!!!!!!

[S&S_ShovelHead]

I go by what gives me the best pumps and DOMS. For some exercises strict form works the best, for others a little cheating hits it better.

[Honkey_Kong]

I remember someone on here referring to people in prison not always doing the sets with the perfect form and going all the way. And there are some big dudes in prison.

[S&S_ShovelHead]

CT Fletcher

[marcus300]

Cheating defiantly has its place but I wouldn't recommend cheat straight from the start of the lift but when the power starts to fade during the set a bit of cheating is great to get those extra reps out. Ive seen some horrendous form from some huge guys and ive also seen strict form its kind of finding the feel inbetween the two which gives you the most productive workout and growth

[AD]

should i go one step further to say that whatever makes you grow, thats the good form for you...

[red_hulk]

Cheating defiantly has its place but I wouldn't recommend cheat straight from the start of the lift but when the power starts to fade during the set a bit of cheating is great to get those extra reps out. Ive seen some horrendous form from some huge guys and ive also seen strict form its kind of finding the feel inbetween the two which gives you the most productive workout and growth

I've seen this too. There's a guy at my gym who curls at the squat rack, which is annoying enough, but loads the bar and throws his entire back into it. He is depressingly big for the nonsense that he does.