Im sorry if my spelling is off ahead of time.
Unfortunatly it appears that some of the people commenting need to go do some research. I recommend
www.EXRX.net
Lets try to break it down as easy as we can.. I don't know your skill level or how long you've been doing this. Yet since your working with a trainer, I will assume your a beginner
- your muscles are strongest at mid contraction
- your muscles are weakest at the begining and at the end of contraction
- Using eccentric contractions (going slow on the way down, or away from the middle) will help to strengthen the muscle not only at mid contraction, but at the start and finish
- tempos commenly used, especially by professional body builders and physical/occupational therapist are:
- 1,1,3 - up on a 1 count, hold for a 1 count, go down on a 3
- 2,2,4 - up on a 2 count, hold for a 2 count, go down on a 4
THIS BUILDS STRENGTH! Mass will follow when your able to tolerate more weight and or cycling off to a 1,1,1 tempo after 90 days or so.
This method your trainer is teaching, is actually pretty good. Not only are they trying to strengthen the entire muscle; and not just the middle, but there also protecting you from injury since your going to be focusing more on form and feeling.
Things to think about
:
- mind body connection - Frank Zane
- proper form
- controlling the weight
- feeling the pump/burn
You will be surprised how much strengh you may gain when you go back to the 1,1,1 tempo which is so commenly used.
If your more advanced/elite this can be coupled with low volume, high intensity training
Remember its HOW YOU LIFT not HOW MUCH OR HOW MANY
Good Luck it sounds like your off to a good start
There is medical / clinical backing to eccentrics
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