|
Think
back to the last time you were in the gym. Think
about who was in there, what they were doing and
what they were doing wrong. See how many of these
defective rep types you've spotted (hopefully,
not in the mirror!).
1. The "Trampoline"
Rep
What
goes down must bounce back up. The "Trampoline"
rep is most often found on the bench press (surprise).
Here's a hint - if your rib cage hurts more than
your pecs at the end of the set or if you have
an indented groove running across your chest so
deep and straight that you could pour water across
your chest into a bottle without spilling a drop,
you may want to consider lightening up the weight
a touch. Leave the CPR to the professionals.
2. The "I Can't Believe It's Not Styrofoam"
Rep
This
style is commonly seen being done by anyone afraid
that if they lift anything heavier than a wet
piece of paper, they'll instantly develop massive,
manly muscles (if only it were that easy!). The
key to this rep is removing every bit of resistance
that you can from the exercise. The weight should
appear to "float" as it's being lifted.
If any strain or effort is felt, stop immediately
before there is any danger of breaking a sweat
and consult your medical specialist.
3. "The Spotter Made Me Do
It" Rep
If
your spotter has to stretch out before your sets,
that's a big giveaway. If people pat your spotter
on the back and say "good set" to them
when THEY get done helping YOU, take note. If
you have to yell encouragement to your spotter
instead of the other way around, you're guilty.
Do your body (and your spotter) a favor and lift
within your means.
4. The "I Swear I Did This Weight Last Week"
Rep
This
failed rep is immediately followed by a shaking
head and a disbelieving stare at the weight. Watch
for the "somebody must have switched the
numbers on these weights because there's no way
these are the same ones I used last week"
look in the eyes. The lifter will never reduce
the weight after this humiliation, just go directly
to a different exercise to try again.
5. The "Funky Chicken" Rep
This
list would not be complete without a nod to the
most entertaining rep of them all: the "Funky
Chicken Rep." Let put it this way--if a bunch
of sugar-crazed, sock-footed kids scrambling for
scattered Piniata-candy on a freshly waxed floor
looks more coordinated than you when you're lifting...
6. The "I Shouldn't Have Drank So Much Water"
Rep
Characterized
by a somewhat cross-legged stance and an urge
to keep the do-or-die rep (and hopefully everything
else) in you.
7. The "Spitting Cobra"
Rep
Deadly
accurate from great distances, the spitter will
project a wall of saliva onto a mirror 10 feet
away. Don't walk in front! You'll regret it (and
need a shower)!
8. The "Breathing Is For Suckers"
Rep
"Who
needs to breathe properly. I can lift more weight
when I hold my breath." Perhaps, but you
can also lift more weight when you're CONSCIOUS.
9. The "Half-A**ed" Rep
Doing
a rep in this fashion can leave a person dangerously
unbalanced. Use your whole a** and don't be a
dumb a**.
10. The "I'm Too Sexy For This Weight"
Rep
Done
by a person spending more time watching their
"form" than watching their form. The
person caught kissing their bicep in the middle
of a dumbell curl is a definite culprit.
11. The "We All Scream For
Ice Cream" Rep
Sometimes
a good scream is just what you need to get that
last rep. But, sometimes it just isn't. If you
find you need constant attention from everyone
else in the gym, just wear a t-shirt that says
"Kiss Me, I'm Irish" or something like
that. Screaming is fine when it's merited. Screaming
like your leg is caught in a bear trap while you're
doing wrist curls is not.
|
