Weight training: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:39, 2 June 2007

Revision as of 02:34, 24 June 2007

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==Safety==

[[Image:DumbbellDeadlift.JPG|thumb|right|250px|The backlumbar spine must be kept straight during the squat and the deadlift.]]

Weight training can be one of the safest forms of exercise, especially when the movements are slow, controlled, and carefully defined. However, as with any form of exercise, improper execution can result in injury. When the exercise becomes difficult towards the end of a set, there is a temptation to cheat, i.e. to use poor form to recruit other muscle groups to assist the effort. This may shift the effort to weaker muscles that cannot handle the weight. For example, the [[squat (exercise)|''squat'']] and the ''[[deadlift]]'' are used to exercise the largest muscles in the body—the [[Human leg|leg]] and [[buttock]] muscles—so they require substantial weight. Beginners are tempted to round their back while performing these exercises. This causes the weaker [[lower back]] muscles to support much of the weight, which can result in serious lower back injuries. To avoid such problems, weight training exercises must be performed correctly. Hence the saying: "train, don't strain".