Flexing while Repping

[Bro.seneca]

I am looking for some info/reading in regards to flexing while performing reps and if it has any additional positive benefit.

Ive noticed since I intentionally started doing that vs just moving the weight, my pumps are more intense and possibly slightly increased vascularity. Kinda curious of the physiology behind it.

Thanks,
Seneca

 

[KodiakGrrl]

it definitely has benefits … I know the info is out there … I ll have hunt it down though

 

[Ironside]

That’s exactly the way you should be lifting every time. Aka mind muscle connection. Being able to flex that exact muscle being worked while maintaining an almost relaxed feeling on corresponding and stabilizing muscle groups is the goal. That’s how you isolate the muscle and really push it hard. Never letting the muscle fully relax keeps a constant contraction therefore maintaining time under tension.

I was just explaining this yesterday to someone. I used the example of a dumbell bicep curl as most of us can relate easily. During the curl, keeping your scapula locked down will keep your shoulder from providing additional leverage. Slightly locking your wrist with you knuckles below the forearm and as you do the curl, letting the weight feel slightly relaxed on your wrist will keep your forearm from curling up and providing support. This puts nearly 100% emphasis on the bicep alone allowing for a harder contraction. You just have to figure out how your muscle groups work to help each other out then figure out a way to create greater isolation on the trained muscle without allowing for the help of other surrounding muscle groups. Easier said than done obviously.

 

[John]

Hmmm I’ll have to try that

 

[KodiakGrrl]

this is a great explanation ! good for bodybuilding not so good for power lifting where you want everything to work together synergisitcally in an effort to move the desired weight …

 

[Ironside]

That’s a good point to make! If you try that shit power lifting you’re going to wreck yourself and tear shit up all over the place.

 

[Raphael3636]

Flexing should be implied all the time I think. Really isolates the muscle your working also increases blood and oxygen flow hence the better pump you have been feeling. This is where the mind to muscle connection really applies. I really don’t see any benefit from just moving the weight unless your a powerlifter or trying to hit PRs

 

[KodiakGrrl]

I honestly thought that it was just a given… even I flex from time to time

 

[KodiakGrrl]

power lifting is a lot more than grip and rip… that is a recipe for a very short career

 

[Raphael3636]

I’m sure it is, I could imagine your implementing more muscle groups to move the weight. I would also think your core plays a big role in power lifting as well, does that sound about right?

 

[Raphael3636]

I’m thinking of putting together a routine for the off season with some power lifting included. I never really power lifted so it will totally be new to me, but I feel like I could build a better and stronger foundation with certain exercises

 

[KodiakGrrl]

yep core and accessory movements are key to longevity and big lifts … In the off season I pretty much train submax .,. I don’t need to pr in the gym (it doesn’t count) I already know the process works it is just a matter of getting the technique down … having the mobility and then working for power. position before power

 

[Bro.seneca]

That made a 50lb difference for me on cleans when i first started lifting!

 

[Islandswole]

If your goal is hypertrophy, then yes… you should always flex on the movement whether you are benching or squatting. Mind that connection through the movement, good way to do this is just warming up on what ever movement you are doing with light weights and focusing on the contraction throughout the movement and as you move in to your working sets continue to do the same. You will see and feel a huge difference.

 

[rnmuscle]

I’ve heard this junk about flexxing when your training and its kinda not possible in the true sense. I think what most of it is , its a way to get the connection mind-muscle CnS, whatever. Stretch and contract maybe. THere are a few exercises that mimic a pose in bodybuilding, that you can hold for a bit. But, theres different stress at different parts of a curl for example try to use even 20 lbs and flex your biceps, your gonna pull your tendon off. Posing or flexing in between is pretty good, flex your legs on a top of squat or even leg ext…Rip. There is squeezing, different from flexing. PL is an actual sport, so practice is super important to find your own groove too. Posing is hard and makes abig different when you know how to show your physique but Even though theres judges in PL ,BBing…which I still love for some weird fucked up insecure reason never felt like a sport. Back when it was USPF, IPF, then ADFPA and APF…PL was a blast. Now , it seems confusing. Raw, Slictly cooked, thawed, neoprene, steel bench shirts, fuckin triple ply panty liners!! All joking aside, It is very hard to be a all around triple threat in PL.

 

[Islandswole]

I agree with you, but in my head when I read this. I assumed he wasn’t talking actual flexing and more of the squeeze and contracting as you said.

 

[John]

Triple ply panty liners, if I had one that leaked that bad, she would be out like a fat kid in dodgeball.

 

[Islandswole]

Lol go to a meet and watch some of the women deadlift heavy.

 

[rnmuscle]

LoL…omg…picture this, don’t get sick…they used to have inzer briefs under the suit, I used them under my light singlet for deads too. I don’t know If they have them still. The Moes at the gym would line up to help get the briefs and suit or shirt on. You either had super small(30 years ago) bikini briefs or commando and literally stand on a bench and jump in them or lay back and have two dudes pull them up, I didn’t body build yet so I didn’t know I could charge for that experience and then sell them afterwards…fuckin Mo-Mos.

 

[John]

Uhhh no fucking thanks