Weight training question: Do all your movments have to be explosive?

[BlueBison]

I thought doing most lifting such as curls and squats would work your muscles more if you did it slowly which make your muscles work harder.

Am I doing it wrong where I should have a explosive movement when getting up (when I'm squatting)?

or are there only certain exercies that should have explosive moements?

Updates

+1 y

I hear that explosive movemnets build "twitch muscles" but yeah genereally for most lifting activities I'll take it slow.

Updates

+1 y

thanks for all the answers too!

[kheserthorpe]

Depends on goals. I don't think I'd do explosive curls. With squats, you try to explode out of the hole as they say, but you're probably not _really_ exploding.

Plyometric work (being explosive) is sort of more advanced. A common way to work on an explosive move is to do a couple of reps of heavy weight, normal pace, then do a (different) explosive move right after. The heavy lift gets the muscle fibers recruited and helps more be used in the explosive move. Common combinations might be heavy squat followed IMMEDIATELY by a set of box jumps, weighted pullups followed by medicine ball slam, dumbbell press followed by throwing (from same position) medicine ball.

[MyNameIsJonas]

Thats right. You can do a supersets. Combine a controlled and explosive workout to reach a certain strength level. It's really all about weather your going for function or just mass.

I find that combining certain explosive excersies with controlled give me leaps in strength.

[kheserthorpe]

Right. Plyometrics are not for looks.

[martyfellow]

Explosive movements are OK if you're training for a sport that requires them, but he danger of injury is really high. Make sure you're thoroughly warmed you before you do those movements, and even then you're taking a chance.

I'm no expert, but of course getting up from a squat is pretty difficult without a fairly explosive movement. But I wouldn't try to exaggerate it, you could lose your balance and REALLY hurt yourself.

[Hidden_P]

No, all movements should be slow. The point being, if your movements are fast and explosive your muscles are not going to be working at their best. Think of your muscles like an elastic band. You can pull it and release it so its fast and quick but what's that really doing? Nothing. If you slowly control the elastic band you can see it having to work under the strain and there's less chance of accidentally going too far and snapping the band.

As a general rule, all exercises should be slow, but fi you're ever unsure, consult a personal trainer/google/someone who knows about fitness.

[DaisyBuchanan]

Your movements should be slow and controlled. Having 'explosive' moments sounds like guys are using their momentum which doesn't help at all.

The most difficult thing to do is move slowly and when you get to a point of tension (halfway up a squat) hold it there or pulse up and down slowly. This will increase your endurance.

[joshuadwa]

Don't listen to anyone saying just do one all the time. it helps to change the tempo up. Some weeks I will go slower reps sometimes I will speed up a bit. Keeps you fron plateuing as bad.

explosiveness has it's place. especially on sports that's all power training... Power= work/time. The faster you retain to move something the more power you have. Good things like football.

Short answer... Do both

[--phil--]

"cough" bullsh*t

[joshuadwa]

And what do you base this off? is power not work done/over time? Thus if you were training for power wouldn't it make sense to be more explosive? You're a moron bro. Anytime someone calls something bullsh*t without providing an explanation, 99% of the time they are a complete ignorant jackass, such is the case for you.

Have fun failing at life my friend.

[--phil--]

well it depends if you want to be toned or increase muscle size. if you want to increase muscle size than you need to lift heavy weights 6 to 8 reps 4 sets. if you want to tone your muscles than you need to go 12 to 15 reps 4 sets. but either way you should move your muscles slowly so that they feel the burn more. so that's bullsh*t

[joshuadwa]

Muscular hypertrophy is actually achieved in the 8-12 rep range. I don't know where you are pulling this 6 number from. It is well known that 4-6 reps is strength training. Beyond size and toning, some people actually work out for athletic performance. These people should definitely use explosive movements. Go read NASM (National academy of sports medicine) read their personal training certification material. There is an entire section on explosive movements.

[joshuadwa]

I have a personal training certification, work out with an guythat has a masters working on his phd on the subject and is certified to coach olympic power lifters. You look like a fat piece of sh*t in you're pictures yet you are giving lifting advice, bad advice at that. You're probably the guy in the gym that does chest every other day, and does arms the days he doesn't do chest. Get the F*** out of my squat rack with your curls and get the f*** off my site with your sh*tty advice.

[MrEM4N]

Slow and steady wins the race. You can compromise form and seriously snap some sh*t up in your back if you're doing explosive squats. Keep your movements under control and focus more on muscle exhaustion. Be mindful of what muscle groups your working, though. Do your compound movements (Bench press, pull ups, squats.. they all use multiple muscle groups) before your isolation movements (single muscle exercises like bicep curls and leg extensions).

[WoIIie]

If you are lifting a weight where you can barely muster 8 reps, then don't aim for explosive. Aim for slow repetitions with good form.

If you have a weight where you can do 12+ reps, then try to be explosive. Don't ever sacrifice form for speed.

[--phil--]

your motion should be slow and balanced and if your doing arm curls keep your back straight

[Ezmotts]

No, you're movements should be paced with good form. There are only a few exercises, such as clings, that requirement explosive movement.