The Most Important Training Variable

Out of all the training variables, weight, rep range, sets, rest times, there is
one training variable that is even more important, and that is form.

This may not sound like the most exciting piece of fitness advice we could
give, but training with the correct form will not only mean you’re training
safely but will also increase your progress in the gym exponentially.
Good form means you are working the muscle you are supposed to be
training in a controlled manner, rather than simply throwing the weight from point A to point B.

At this point some people may be asking about heavy weight and the
importance of load, and yes, training heavy can be effective, but heavy
weight with good form will beat heavy weight with sloppy form any day of the week.

Training with good form doesn’t mean performing each exercise very slowly –you can train explosively with great form. Training with good form doesn’t mean you can’t put in the most effort or push yourself to failure in
the gym. In fact, maintaining good form whilst pushing yourself to the limit is harder than cheating out the last few reps of a set.

So what does training with good form mean? Simply, that you are getting
the required response from the muscle group you are training every time
you train. Yes, for those that train with poor form, this may mean training a
little lighter for a while but the response you will get will be worth it.

Training with a heavier weight may mean muscle growth but if the only
reason you are moving more weight is that you have compromised form
the one and only response you’ll get is that you have moved more weight
from A to B and the stress on the muscle will be less.

This is one of the things we try to urge members of our
Pontypridd gym to always keep in mind. The pieces of equipment we
select are always what we feel will allow users to work target muscles
properly, allowing customers to have the most effective training experience
possible.

So how do you learn how to use better form? Experiment, watch, listen,
ask people in the gym with years of experience – especially those with no
major injuries.
​
Don't be afraid to go against what the majority of
gym users are currently doing in their own training. Of all the people that train how many are successful? A very small minority, which means that the vast majority are unsuccessful and would get better results from doing something different.

GAH Gym
Unit 38 Albion Industrial Estate, Cilfynydd, Pontypridd, CF37 4Nx