Quality vs. Quantity

Squamation

I'm not entirely sure if Gaining Weight is the right area for this post but you guys on here are WAY nicer than the "regular" section of MFP.

Quick back story: I used to work out and lift and eat right and got great body comp results. I was doing it pretty much 100% on my own. Then I got pregnant and excuses took over. I'm back on track now, no more bull****: got my workout schedule down, eating the right calories and Macros, etc.

PROBLEM: My husband is currently going through a fitness trainer course and is learning lots of new and helpful info and it turns out that I was/am doing a LOT of exercises with bad form.

For example: before I could squat very low, but I wasn't using the right form. Doing it the right way I can only get about halfway down and it's been a major blow to my ego. I know it's better to do things right than to do more of them but mentally I just get so frustrated.

Any words of encouragement or motivation specifically for doing things the proper way?

xcalygrl

Sometimes you have to take a step back before you can move forward. It is better to have the form right, even if you are lifting less weight/not able to go as low, than to lift heavier weight with the wrong form and possibly end up injured.

Think of it this way: would you rather take a few weeks at a lower weight, progressing upward, while doing the moves with the proper form OR would you rather keep the form wrong, end up injured, and out for months?

zoeysasha37

Personally i think form is important. I have a lot of form issues, and also the awful habit of holding my breathe while lifting. Right now I'm working with a trainer to correct my form issues, and i found that it was very hard for me to let go of the bad habits i picked up over the years. I think you should definitely give better form a try :-)

eric_sg61

Form is important, but not everyone's form will look the same.

KseRz

I am going to answer this post with a lot of gifs. I hope you dont mind.

First


What makes it funny is that its true. The good news is that youve acknowledged your bad form and are ready to correct it and get better! :drinker:

Next, its not a matter of Quality vs. Quantity. Its always Quality over Quantity.









I mean, if we are going to take the time and put in the effort to perform an activity we should strive to do that activity the best we can or know how. Even if that means we arent getting the level of performance we could by 1/2 assing it. That doesnt do us any good. It leaves us with inferior results and possible thoughts of "I could do better".

Instead if you always focus on quality and do the best you can, then you should have no regrets no matter how poor your performance because you know you did it right and you did the best you could. Then only thing to focus on after that is getting better next time.

accelerashawn

EGO should have no place in the gym, lower the weights and do them correctly...then you will progress way faster than the bro's lifting incorrectly

Squamation

Think of it this way: would you rather take a few weeks at a lower weight, progressing upward, while doing the moves with the proper form OR would you rather keep the form wrong, end up injured, and out for months?

I do not want to be out for months. 2 surgeries in 2 months is part of the excuses that got me back to a doughy softness instead of the firm sexiness I was almost at.

I am going to answer this post with a lot of gifs. I hope you dont mind.

Love the gifs. And especially love the Zig Ziglar quote.

JoRocka

Here's the thing.

Doing something with bad form is deminishing returns kind of thing.

Sure you can do it kind of currently- with X weight.

But by X + 50 or X + 100- weight- you wont' be able to do it. And at some point- not only will you NOT be able to do it at all- you might have already hurt yourself- or will hurt yourself attempting to do it.

Learning with the right form not only protects you- it allows you to move weight- a LOT of weight. The right mechanics are cruicial to really moving some weight around. Without it- it doesn't work.

Deload- go see a specialist if you need. Get some help- and yes- I would absolutely NOT recommend using your newly educated hubby. That can be incredibly hard on a relationship- "help" and "constructive cristisim" start to creep into "why do you never listen to me? you always do this!!

etc etc

these situations its much better/safer to go see a neutral 3rd party.

Wasatcher

I can relate to getting fixated on things that don't serve my ultimate goals. For me it helps if I lengthen the timeframe on which I'm focused. My approach tends to be better relative to long-term goals than short-term ones.

Perhaps if you concentrate on where you would like to be 30, 60, 90 days from now instead of just the next workout it will be easier to shift your focus from weight to form.

3laine75

What everyone else said - if you have bad form, deload!

But, I'd just like to ask if you're sure it's wrong? There are a lot of squat variations and if your hubby is just starting out, maybe he's not got round them all yet? Can't count the number of times (before I left the gym) that a helpful woman told me my back should be vertical while squatting and my thumbs around - bloody body pump!

If he's right enough and advising you on low bar/high bar/whatever version you're doing - is your form WAY off? I ask as we all have different bodies and if doing it 'properly' has you in pain not just discomfort then maybe your body isn't meant to move like that.

Anyways, make of that what you will - it's usually the simplest answer that's right and you probably need to deload - annoying but it'll be worth it in the end.

Squamation

If he's right enough and advising you on low bar/high bar/whatever version you're doing - is your form WAY off? I ask as we all have different bodies and if doing it 'properly' has you in pain not just discomfort then maybe your body isn't meant to move like that.

He doesn't know all the different variations yet but is aware enough to recognize that and only gives pointers/feed back on the moves he's been taught.

So far nothing has been painful, it mostly just feels weird. I have bad balance and that seems to be why I was using the poor form: to compensate not falling over. I'm going to throw yoga in for my active recovery day and hope that helps.

BTW: Thank you everyone for your advice! I love the gaining weight MFPers.

stealthq

Just a suggestion - you might want to post a video of yourself doing a squat the 'old' way to get some independent opinions. Lots of experienced people here can pick apart your squat form and give you great pointers.

JoRocka

If he's right enough and advising you on low bar/high bar/whatever version you're doing - is your form WAY off? I ask as we all have different bodies and if doing it 'properly' has you in pain not just discomfort then maybe your body isn't meant to move like that.

He doesn't know all the different variations yet but is aware enough to recognize that and only gives pointers/feed back on the moves he's been taught.

So far nothing has been painful, it mostly just feels weird. I have bad balance and that seems to be why I was using the poor form: to compensate not falling over. I'm going to throw yoga in for my active recovery day and hope that helps.

BTW: Thank you everyone for your advice! I love the gaining weight MFPers.

any time you change something different from the "way" you've been doing it for say any time period longer than- a month- you're going to feel weird.

I have been trying to adjust my squat form - that I have been doing since easily 2003... All I'm doing is a little less turn out- and trying to bring my feet closer together. It is a very VERY slow process- that I'm still adjusting and working EVERY time I set up under the bar.

It 100% WILL feel weird- keep working on it- and keep fighting for it.
Take videos frequently of yourself.
Post videos every month or so and have some folks analyze again.

Also- balance is something kind of fun people neglect often. It is, outside of neurological issues, something people use as an excuse (not saying you specifically) along with coordination to NOT do things- but both of those things are skills that can be worked on and improved with dedicated and consistent practice.

So yes- do the yoga- do the work with ONLY the bar (I actually have a much harder time squatting 45 pound empty bar than 135- I find I fall forward and have weird balance/ankle mobility issues with no weight).

you 'kin do it!!!

Squamation

Also- balance is something kind of fun people neglect often. It is, outside of neurological issues, something people use as an excuse (not saying you specifically) along with coordination to NOT do things- but both of those things are skills that can be worked on and improved with dedicated and consistent practice.

So yes- do the yoga- do the work with ONLY the bar (I actually have a much harder time squatting 45 pound empty bar than 135- I find I fall forward and have weird balance/ankle mobility issues with no weight).

Seeing as how more than one person is suggesting it I'll think about doing the video. My only concern is all of these "expert" opinions not agreeing and only getting more confused.

No fears about me using my poor balance and lack of co-ordination as an excuse to not do anything. Improving them will be a part of my success at the end of this.

EvanKeel

Also- balance is something kind of fun people neglect often. It is, outside of neurological issues, something people use as an excuse (not saying you specifically) along with coordination to NOT do things- but both of those things are skills that can be worked on and improved with dedicated and consistent practice.

So yes- do the yoga- do the work with ONLY the bar (I actually have a much harder time squatting 45 pound empty bar than 135- I find I fall forward and have weird balance/ankle mobility issues with no weight).

Seeing as how more than one person is suggesting it I'll think about doing the video. My only concern is all of these "expert" opinions not agreeing and only getting more confused.

No fears about me using my poor balance and lack of co-ordination as an excuse to not do anything. Improving them will be a part of my success at the end of this.

There are groups within the forums formed specifically for this kind of feedback that are moderated by members who generally know what they're talking about.

raindawg

Hi OP, I'm in somewhat a similiar boat. I'd progressed on my arm curles from 25 lbs up to 40 lbs but noticed the other night my form was really bad. Using shoulder action to get the curl up rathr than arm isolation. I'm dropping down to 30 lbs on tonights workout to try again with proper form. I think I'll actually get progression out of the workout at 30 lbs over the bad form 40 lber's. Don 't let ego get in your way.........

fangedneko

I am going to answer this post with a lot of gifs.

You didn't post a single gif (unless you count the emoticon).

alereck

Not using proper form can get you injured and out of the gym. Always use proper form, always stay in control of your body. Use websites like bodybuilding.com and even youtube to find the proper form for the exercises.

Once you learn proper form, go one step ahead and concentrate on the muscles you are working on. This is important, you have to know what muscle you are suppose to be activating. The improvements you will see and feel will give you the boost you need.

Believe me, there is nothing worse than seeing people with bad form, it's quite embarrasing really. Don't do it, drop the weights and focus.

Good luck :-)

JoRocka

I am going to answer this post with a lot of gifs.

You didn't post a single gif (unless you count the emoticon).

I only saw one picture- because at work- many are blocked- which makes reading answers difficult sometimes b/c I seriosuly missed the joke.

But I just saw this.

And yeah- I was confused.

not a single gif.

peter_rotten

First, anything I've read about fitness says the form is KING. Form is the most important part. Do it right or don't do it.

Second, I have a bit of a tangent here: what is the best way to check my form if I workout alone at home? As a workout noob, I don't really have anyone to check my form. I THINK I'm doing things correctly, but all I can do is check videos online. Any suggestions?

jimmmer

Always quality.

The goal should be beautiful movement. Then add weight.

Moving a bunch of weight with crappy form will likely end up with you experiencing training-related injuries over time.

Moving more and more weight while striving to maintain crisp form will end up with you being more and more awesome.

jimmmer

First, anything I've read about fitness says the form is KING. Form is the most important part. Do it right or don't do it.

Second, I have a bit of a tangent here: what is the best way to check my form if I workout alone at home? As a workout noob, I don't really have anyone to check my form. I THINK I'm doing things correctly, but all I can do is check videos online. Any suggestions?

You could always upload a clip to youtube and ask here or in the ETP group for pointers.

Another option if you have thick skin is to post a link over at r/weightroom in their form check friday thread.

Squamation

There are groups within the forums formed specifically for this kind of feedback that are moderated by members who generally know what they're talking about.

Can you give a specific name for such a group? I just tried a few quick searches in MFP groups and did not see any that were related to critiquing form. (searched: Form, Lifting, critique)

ask here or in the ETP group for pointers.

is the ETP group in MFP? I just searched ETP and it came up with nothing. Does ETP stand for something I'm not cool enough to know about?

jimmmer

Eat, train, progress I believe it's called. Run by a couple of quality members from the forum.

KseRz

I am going to answer this post with a lot of gifs.

You didn't post a single gif (unless you count the emoticon).

There were 4 gifs. Sorry you didnt see them.

It does make it confusing in the threads sometimes when using different access points where certain domain names are blocked for various reasons (ad blockers, proxy servers etc.)

I usually miss out on gifs posted to wordpress.


ETA: If you ever get confused about something someone posted, just click on QUOTE and then copy and paste the links they provided and remove the [ img ] tag.

http://i60.tinypic.com/ifzpmo.jpg

http://erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/quality-over-quantity.jpg

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/9c/2f/8a/9c2f8ab25a4616a23f8b74412d4ed76c.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2O6Ra72ONw/UGHrXlGHoqI/AAAAAAAAGqc/UKvSbxiyQEw/s1600/quality.PNG

^^ There they are

Chevy_Quest

@jimmmer
Always quality.

The goal should be beautiful movement. Then add weight.

Moving a bunch of weight with crappy form will likely end up with you experiencing training-related injuries over time.

Moving more and more weight while striving to maintain crisp form will end up with you being more and more awesome.

This ^^^

nutmegoreo

Lots of great information here:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress-

start with the stickies :flowerforyou:

Squamation

Thanks - I've posted my squat videos onto the critique board in the ETP group.

CipherZero

You must worship the Goddess of Good Form, for She is a fickle ***** who will consign you to Snap City for the slightest of infractions against Her will.

Realistically, yea, finding out you lifts don't really count because of form failure sucks. You've found a problem and you're correcting it. What's the downside?