If you’ve been in any of my classes lately you’ll have realized by now that I really try to push people on their form. Especially when it comes to demonstrating control.
While there is certainly a time and place to go as hard and as fast humanly possible, I don’t believe that it is necessary to do so every single time you step in the gym; and if doing so means cutting corners on the quality of the movements you’re performing (and risking injury in the process), I would encourage a little self reflection.
What are we trying to get out of the workout TODAY?
Are we doing pullups to get better and stronger? Or are we just trying to get through whatever is written on the board as fast as possible?There is nothing inherently wrong with either approach, but when we start to habitualize dropping the bar from the top of the pull in the deadlift, or drop loosely out of the top of the pullup, not only are we putting unnecessary stress on the shoulders (in the case of the pullups) but we are also missing out on, arguably, the best muscle and strength building portion of the exercise.
In the end, the decision of how and why we do what we do, will always come down to personal choice, and as long as that choice is a conscious one, I think we’re moving in the right direction.
Coach Garrett
