Learning the proper exercise technique for weight training is not given much consideration. People usually discover proper exercise technique when it is much too late, i.e. when they experience training related injuries. And if you think that just because you were taught by the biggest guy at your gym how weight training exercises are performed, you need not read this, think again. In fact, having worked in a few health clubs myself, I can honestly say, without any reservation, that gyms can be one of the worst places to learn proper exercise technique, especially for resistance training. Walkin and running... they're ok.

The proper exercise technique has been almost lost, in a world where muscle gains must be made quickly. In an attempt to gain muscle, and do it quickly, most weight trainers never take the time to learn the exercise technique properly. Instead they load the bar with as much weight as possible, jerk it around a few times, usually very fast and with the help of momentum and body swing and just manage to complete a set. To make matters even worse, some add extra "intensity" by attempting a weight they can't complete for the required amount of reps and they have their training partner help them complete an extra 5 reps.

These actions and some others that you'll discover will inevitably lead to injuries even if it doesn't happen right away. Just because the wrong exercise technique doesn't injury you immediately, or even after a few years of weight training, doesn't mean what you're doing is OK. It's just like smoking cigarettes consistently; you can't feel the damage initially but as it's been conclusively proven, the damage is there and will surface sooner or later.

Please take the time and learn the proper way of doing weight training exercises. This time investment will be repaid with interest later on in your training life. As you may know, the key to more muscle and a better, healthier life is consistency and progression. Without them, no authentic change in your health fitness is possible.

Proper exercise technique allows you to remain injury free and therefore allow you to train longer and without forced layoffs. What this means is that while your gym junkie friend, that never learned the right exercise technique, is getting over their injuries you're still moving forward and are happily practicing progression and consistency.

But the proper exercise technique does more than that. It will allow your body to develop the right muscular structures so that you can not only lift weights safely and consistently, but may also allow you to lift more weight. Yes, under certain conditions, the right exercise technique can improve your overall strength so you'll be able to lift more weight. And lifting more weight, doing it consistently and safely is what resistance training must be all about.

I'll leave you with two thoughts that sums up the Exercise Library:

1. Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Martin Luther King Jnr.

2. Education is the progressive realization of our ignorance.
Albert Einstein

Peace and Love
Stefan
Editor healthfitness.com.au

Resistance Training Exercise Technique Fundamentals Checklist
The checklist compiled will inform you of the most basic principles that you must obey in order to weight train safely, and therefore consistently and progressively.

(Coming here real soon)