I just saw "Pumping Iron" for the first time...

[NuclearNed]

Pumping Iron

First off, what an awesome inspiring movie for someone who is interested in body building.

When the really big guys lift, they don't fully extend. For example, on bench press Arnold didn't fully extend his arms. Instead he opted to do about a half extension, and went through each rep fairly quickly. Lou Ferrigno did something similar on barbell military press.

I may have to try this technique just to see how it feels. After all, they are the experts.

 

[ViRGE]

IANAB(I am not a biologist), but I seem to remember that your muscles get a bit shorter as they get bigger, which limits your flexibility. That may be why such big guys only do half-reps.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
IANAB(I am not a biologist), but I seem to remember that your muscles get a bit shorter as they get bigger, which limits your flexibility. That may be why such big guys only do half-reps.

I have a different theory: on both these exercises, once you get to a certain extension point you start using your triceps more than the target muscle.

 

[krunchykrome]

This is true, experienced weightlifters and bodybuildings do not fully extend.

 

[DurocShark]

Huge grotesque muscles limit your range of motion. But that really only applies to the guys going getting absolutely huge. You can keep your flexability and range of motion and still get pretty good sized.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: ViRGE
IANAB(I am not a biologist), but I seem to remember that your muscles get a bit shorter as they get bigger, which limits your flexibility. That may be why such big guys only do half-reps.

I have a different theory: on both these exercises, once you get to a certain extension point you start using your triceps more than the target muscle.

I think you are correct.

Here is pretty good mini training video on the chest by Milos Sarcev.

Chest Training

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: DurocShark
Huge grotesque muscles limit your range of motion. But that really only applies to the guys going getting absolutely huge. You can keep your flexability and range of motion and still get pretty good sized.

This is not entirely correct. I have a video of Ronnie Coleman, the current Mr. Olympia, doing full front splits at the 2004 Mr. Olympia.

 

[lyssword]

body builders do that, powerlifters don't I just think not doing full complete reps keeps you from relaxing the muscles to make em bigger

 

[Spamela]

in this humble powerlifter's opinion,
there are really only two reasons to use
that technique - to keep tension in the muscles
and to minimize the chance of joint injuries.

and no, i don't lift that way, ever.

 

[BillGates]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: DurocShark
Huge grotesque muscles limit your range of motion. But that really only applies to the guys going getting absolutely huge. You can keep your flexability and range of motion and still get pretty good sized.

This is not entirely correct. I have a video of Ronnie Coleman, the current Mr. Olympia, doing full front splits at the 2004 Mr. Olympia.

Why would you have a video of that?

 

[Amused]

I see little spuds in the gym doing half range of motion lifts all the time. They never seem to get any bigger, or stronger.

Once I focused on form, and maintained full range of motion on every exercise, I noticed huge gains in both strength and size. And I'm fairly big for an all natural body builder.

newbiepcuser's video training example is excellent. If you want to lift, follow that.

http://thefitshow.com/week3/milos_chest_med.htm

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: BillGates

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: DurocShark
Huge grotesque muscles limit your range of motion. But that really only applies to the guys going getting absolutely huge. You can keep your flexability and range of motion and still get pretty good sized.

This is not entirely correct. I have a video of Ronnie Coleman, the current Mr. Olympia, doing full front splits at the 2004 Mr. Olympia.

Why would you have a video of that?

It's of the entire 2004 competition. I am into bodybuilding, so naturally I would be interested in videos of competitions, training, etc.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: BillGates

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: DurocShark
Huge grotesque muscles limit your range of motion. But that really only applies to the guys going getting absolutely huge. You can keep your flexability and range of motion and still get pretty good sized.

This is not entirely correct. I have a video of Ronnie Coleman, the current Mr. Olympia, doing full front splits at the 2004 Mr. Olympia.

Why would you have a video of that?

It's of the entire 2004 competition. I am into bodybuilding, so naturally I would be interested in videos of competitions, training, etc.

:thumbsup:

 

[ddviper]

Originally posted by: Spamela
that technique - to keep tension in the muscles

Ding Ding Ding

:beer:

Bodybuilding FTW, Powerlifting FTW, Bowerlifting FTUW (For the Ultimate Win)

 

[Rudee]

Has nothing to do with range of motion, it has to do with keeping the main muscles - in this case the chest - under tension. When you lock out with a benchpress your chest muscles the tension is temporarily relieved from your chest and placed on your triceps and shoulders. Doing 3/4 reps ensures that you keep the tension on your chest at all times throughout the movement. The benchpress is one of the exercises that really works well with 3/4 reps. Single-joint exercises don't work as well using this method though. Bicep curls for example. Full range of motion is definitely needed in that case.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Amused
I see little spuds in the gym doing half range of motion lifts all the time. They never seem to get any bigger, or stronger.

Once I focused on form, and maintained full range of motion on every exercise, I noticed huge gains in both strength and size. And I'm fairly big for an all natural body builder.

newbiepcuser's video training example is excellent. If you want to lift, follow that.

http://thefitshow.com/week3/milos_chest_med.htm

QFT.

For example, why wouldn't you want to full extend doing bench press? Sure you might be able to bench 200 doing little baby half-reps, and only 170 doing full extensions, but your triceps will thank you later.

 

[ruffilb]

Bowerlifting?

 

[ddviper]

Originally posted by: ruffilb
Bowerlifting?

look at what came before bowerlifting. ok now put them together to make one word. Even my dog could figure this one out.

Originally posted by: Rudee
Has nothing to do with range of motion, it has to do with keeping the main muscles - in this case the chest - under tension. When you lock out with a benchpress your chest muscles the tension is temporarily relieved from your chest and placed on your triceps and shoulders. Doing 3/4 reps ensures that you keep the tension on your chest at all times throughout the movement. The benchpress is one of the exercises that really works well with 3/4 reps. Single-joint exercises don't work as well using this method though. Bicep curls for example. Full range of motion is definitely needed in that case.

Agreed. Perfect explination that Im way to lazy to give to justify my earlier post Thanks man

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Rudee
Has nothing to do with range of motion, it has to do with keeping the main muscles - in this case the chest - under tension. When you lock out with a benchpress your chest muscles the tension is temporarily relieved from your chest and placed on your triceps and shoulders. Doing 3/4 reps ensures that you keep the tension on your chest at all times throughout the movement. The benchpress is one of the exercises that really works well with 3/4 reps. Single-joint exercises don't work as well using this method though. Bicep curls for example. Full range of motion is definitely needed in that case.

You can keep tension without doing only 3/4 range of motion.

And the rule of thumb with any lift is NEVER lock out. Locking your joints is bad for them.

 

[ValkyrieofHouston]

Originally posted by: Rudee
Has nothing to do with range of motion, it has to do with keeping the main muscles - in this case the chest - under tension. When you lock out with a benchpress your chest muscles the tension is temporarily relieved from your chest and placed on your triceps and shoulders. Doing 3/4 reps ensures that you keep the tension on your chest at all times throughout the movement. The benchpress is one of the exercises that really works well with 3/4 reps. Single-joint exercises don't work as well using this method though. Bicep curls for example. Full range of motion is definitely needed in that case.

Exactly! :thumbsup:

 

[BooGiMaN]

once you get that size that may be the only way to get any type of workout that stimulates the muscles or maybe it is to isolate certain muscles.

starting out i think you should stick to full motion reps..its many times better to learn good technique then to try to emulte the professionals that are already huge...and have already paid their dues