Functional Bodybuilding
Join me in a thought experiment:
Through my ramblings on exercise. I propose how to use exercises to your advantage. and more
Conrad Larsen. Edition # 1077
We’re applying a Muscle Group First approach.
As with Tejas’s squat shown above, I call out the quads -You can clearly see the difference in leg activation. It is now up to him to mentally identify and work within his personally activated range.
There was NO energy wasted. That was unrelenting, maximally directed stress on the quads.
THIS IS HUGE!
Now we can best measure the strength of individual muscle groups!
By achieving direct muscle failure we can accurately determine how strong each muscle group is and apply stress accordingly.
Logic meets weight training.
By completing compound movements through their full range of motion, we
misdirect stress through multiple muscle groups and use the joints as the transfer station. This misallocates energy and debilitates your mobility on a daily basis.
Similarly, any weight heavier than your estimated 8 rep max, your form will break down quickly - compensation takes place, this also misdirects stress.
Training is stress application and management: By staying muscle specific through personalized, shortened, more targeted ranges, we achieve muscular fatigue, efficiently training our muscle without the downside of joint issues or overload.
Take any exercise, identify what muscle groups are activated during that movement. Then direct your attention to the range of motion where you’re able to connect and drive your energy through that specific muscle group.