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Anyone reading the above comment, that is terrible information. Proper form relates to how you can avoid blowing out your back or knees or other things that are

Anyone reading the above comment, that is terrible information. Proper form relates to how you can avoid blowing out your back or knees or other things that are important to you as a human when weight lifting. Mechanically there are ways to put less stress on body parts when doing various lifts. At the most basic level, the ways that put less bad stress and increase also increase your ability to life more weight is what is meant by proper form, not whatever this person is trying to communicate.

YZF 3y ago
There is "good form" in the sense of going through motions that work well with body mechanics. There isn't absolute consensus on the nuances. E.g. it's common advice to lift loads with your back straight and bending your knees but as said a deadlift isn't performed that way and you can lift very heavy weights with your back bent. You'll have one sport scientist say you should have your elbows at a certain angle when you do a bench barbell press and another say it's fine to have them at another angle. Often form is modified to fit individuals. You should learn the outline of how a given exercise is performed and some points are important but some advice on "proper" form can be dated/wrong/adjusted from person to person. You also need to start with a small enough weight/resistance to get a feel for what works for you (and see if it agrees with your body). I think a lot of injuries are related to trying to do too much too soon, not necessarily purely to bad form.
- ianbutler 3y ago
  > There is "good form" in the sense of going through motions that work well with body mechanics. This is largely what I was trying to communicate. I agree with what you've said, especially the variance person to person. I was trying to caution towards the passerby who might read this without much lifting experience to actually appreciate that nuance or have the strength and stability built up already and then they just go and hurt themselves.
  - nimbleplum40 3y ago
    I get where you’re coming from, but I think there’s a much bigger risk the other way. All of this focus on “perfect” form makes the gym incredibly intimidating. I’m not accusing you of saying this, but often we give people the impression that if they try to deadlift and their back rounds a bit or they squat and their knees cave in that their discs are going to go shooting out of their spine and their knees will be forever ruined. Then people don’t lift… Injury rates for lifting are incredibly low. Much lower than any other sport. And the long term health effects are huge!

YZF 3y ago

There is "good form" in the sense of going through motions that work well with body mechanics. There isn't absolute consensus on the nuances. E.g. it's common advice to lift loads with your back straight and bending your knees but as said a deadlift isn't performed that way and you can lift very heavy weights with your back bent. You'll have one sport scientist say you should have your elbows at a certain angle when you do a bench barbell press and another say it's fine to have them at another angle. Often form is modified to fit individuals. You should learn the outline of how a given exercise is performed and some points are important but some advice on "proper" form can be dated/wrong/adjusted from person to person. You also need to start with a small enough weight/resistance to get a feel for what works for you (and see if it agrees with your body). I think a lot of injuries are related to trying to do too much too soon, not necessarily purely to bad form.

ianbutler 3y ago
> There is "good form" in the sense of going through motions that work well with body mechanics. This is largely what I was trying to communicate. I agree with what you've said, especially the variance person to person. I was trying to caution towards the passerby who might read this without much lifting experience to actually appreciate that nuance or have the strength and stability built up already and then they just go and hurt themselves.
- nimbleplum40 3y ago
  I get where you’re coming from, but I think there’s a much bigger risk the other way. All of this focus on “perfect” form makes the gym incredibly intimidating. I’m not accusing you of saying this, but often we give people the impression that if they try to deadlift and their back rounds a bit or they squat and their knees cave in that their discs are going to go shooting out of their spine and their knees will be forever ruined. Then people don’t lift… Injury rates for lifting are incredibly low. Much lower than any other sport. And the long term health effects are huge!