We get more out of our weightlifting sessions by lifting and lowering. Slowly bringing lighter weights down to starting position — whether we’re talking bicep curls, chest presses, or tricep kickbacks — works muscles in a different way, while they are lengthening (rather than contracting, like when pulling the weight up). Most of us neglect this portion of the movement, even though engaging the muscle throughout the movement can help facilitate lifts.
Takeaway: Engaging muscles on the way up and down helps us lift more in the long run.
Do It Today: At the top of your next pull-up count down from 10 as you slowly lower down. Not as easy as it sounds!
Short On Time?
Try these full-body moves to work more muscles in minutes.
Shaky Limbs?
Why we tremble when we lift heavy weights.
