How to Know You are Doing an Exercise Correctly
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Have you ever followed along to an exercise video or some type of exercise class and wondered if you were using correct form? I have exercised following a fitness show on television and while performing certain exercises, I would realize my form was way off. The instructor would say for example, “you should feel this right in your calf” and I wouldn’t feel it there at all. I would then correct my form and begin working out the target muscle.
Here are some ways to tell if you are performing an exercise correctly:
- You should feel fatigued in the target muscle being worked
- Effort should be coming from the targeted muscle groups
- You should not feel pain in other muscle groups not related to the targeted muscle groups
- You should be using a full range of motion
A prime example for myself of incorrect form is when I would do crunches. Before I improved my form, I remember pulling up on my neck as I performed a crunch. I wasn’t feeling fatigued in my abdominals like I should have but rather a lot of pain and tension in my neck.
It is easy to do several repetitions of an exercise before you realize you are using bad form. Try to keep the focus on the target muscles you are working out. As you become more aware of it, you should be able to catch yourself when your form is off and correct it.
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Comments
I had the most trouble with squats. I kept losing my balance and didn’t feel it in the back of my legs at all. I find that watching instructional video’s help, but having someone to show you how to do the exercise correctly is more beneficial. Less room for error for me anyway.
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