Kay... My 1st Question

[Woodruff]

You said ask anything, so here it goes....

I'm a people watcher so I like to watch how people are doing their exersizes and using the equipment. What I THOUGHT was that you are supposed to move real slow when using the machines and weights. But when I look around, the biggest guys and the buffest girls are doing this jerky, "get it over quick" deal.

So.. what's the scoop? Am I supposed to be going as slow as I can tolerate or am I supposed to be going real fast like the big guys?

[Trying4Thin]

I think it depends where you are in a repetition. Starting off is always too easy. But nearing the end your muscles should be starting to fatigue. If they arent; the weight is too light.

I know when I was lifting; I was going pretty quickly. But I am pretty sure the correct way to do it is to go slowly keeping the tension/resistance on the muscles and making them work harder and longer. The weights are not supposed to slam back onto the stack after each lift. Slow and steady wins the race. But then again everyone has their own way of doing things. If they are big and buff; they must be doing something right. But I think the muscle gets more of a benefit if you go slow and work it both up and down (or whatever direction you are going). I think jerking motions with the weights could lead to injury much easier. Jerking and shaky muscles could also be a sign that the muscles are fatigued or the weight/rep number is a little too high.

Hope this helps!
~Carrie

[Missy]

It's all based on what your goals are or how much you can handle to do I think. My trainer makes me do my sets really fast because I am doing a fat burn workout..so he pushes me to the max and makes me sweat like crazy. You still have to make sure you are doing the weights in proper form though or you could seriously injure yourself.

If you are trying to build muscle, most people do the sets slower so it rips the muscle more. Although some bigger guys lift heavy heavy weights and might do them fast to get the pain over with. I know on the leg press you are supposed to push the weights up really fast, but when you bring it down to do it slow.

If you are unsure, why not ask one of the people who work at your gym, they are always helpful when it comes to that stuff. See what's right for you.