Momentum

Mike 'The Machine' Bruceby Mike 'The Machine' Bruce
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1,500lb rack pull
Yes, that's a 1,500lb rack pull. Incredible.
Momentum plays a big part in our ability to move a heavy weight from point A to B. If you are doing a Squat, Dead lift, Partial pull or a heavy press then you must use momentum to assist you in finishing the lift. I love the guys that knock people using body momentum to finish a lift. They say that we are not using correct form, they say that we are swinging the weight up, rounding our backs and many other Stupid, Ironic jabs from the uneducated.
For example when I pulled 1,500lb in a rack pull at a bodyweight of 205lb these same knuckleheads criticize me by saying "He only moved the bar 6 inches".

This is true but the weight was 1,500lb for crying out loud. Pulling that kind of weight is going to tax my body and my limit strength to a Maximum, also tightening my body as much as I can. When you use momentum we are not doing isolation exercises. We are not going for perfect form and trying to work the muscle. We are trying to move the heaviest weight we can and to do this we need to use all of our body's resources to accomplish the lift.

There is a difference between hitting the muscle and really isolating it and trying your best to pick up an insane amount of weight. I'm here to tell you that you cannot perform a Squat or Dead lift with a maximum weight going perfectly slow and strict to work the muscle. You will never defeat your best max by using the isolation principle.

To go up in weight and have a personal best you must use some body momentum and as long as you are trying to max out then why not use all your body's resources that you have been blessed with. When you are ready to do some triceps pushdowns or dumbbell curls then by all means incorporate the Isolation principle and work the muscle to the best of your ability.

Just remember there is a difference between working the muscle and moving the heaviest weight you can.


Mike 'The Machine' Bruce

Mike 'The Machine' Bruce is a professional performing Strongman and motivational speaker. Find out more over on his blog.



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