Do The Opposite

If you’re not sure how to perform an exercise correctly go to any large gym during peak hours and watch how most people do it. Pay close attention to how they are positioned and how they move. Pay attention to things like their speed and timing, where and how long they stop to hold or pause, etc. Ask some of the people working out and the personal trainers for tips on doing the exercise and take detailed notes.

Then convert your notes into a list of bullet points on how to perform the exercise. Next to this list write the exact opposite of each of those bullet points. If you use these opposite bullet points as a guideline for performing the exercise you’ll end up with something much closer to the correct method.

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  • Charlie Mar 11, 2017 @ 7:42

    But what if the majority all have body compositions that you’re aiming for? I see what you mean, but the biggest and best cut at my gym do 3 sets of I creasing weight and drop sets.

    • Drew Baye Apr 1, 2017 @ 11:34

      Hey Charlie,

      Just because they have the body composition you’re aiming for doesn’t mean what they are doing is the best or safest way for you to accomplish that, either in the gym or out. The fact that someone achieved a particular result with some method is not proof that the same or better results could not have been achieved more quickly, efficiently, and safely using another method.

      • Alvin Aug 1, 2017 @ 4:05

        Hi Drew,

        Always enjoy your articles, there is this guy at the gym who has a nice lean body but skinny legs. Even more skinny than mine who’s not big. I saw him last week and noticed that he had been training legs around 2-3 times a week and when I asked him why, he said because his legs are lagging, I said too him that he is overtraining but he wouldn’t listen. I just do not understand people sometimes, if something is not working they do even more of it, isn’t that the definition of insanity. If you are training a bodypart very hard, training it more often is going to be detrimental, hence having to reduce frequency. There is just no helping some people.

        Regards

        Alvin

        • Drew Baye Oct 14, 2017 @ 14:38

          Keep in mind that almost everybody else is telling him the opposite, that more is better. It isn’t enough to tell someone they need to do less, you need to explain why. Even if you explain it effectively he may not change for various reasons. He might not believe you because of blind faith in the bodybuilding media. His ego might be too invested in what he’s doing. He may have other, non-physical reasons for wanting to exercise more frequently.

          Maybe he will give it a try eventually when he accepts that what he’s doing isn’t working. Maybe not. You definitely can’t help everyone, but don’t let the ones you can’t help discourage you from continuing to try to help others.

  • jack saller Jul 12, 2017 @ 10:47

    Hey Drew,
    Your comments hit home. It is laughable to see some of the nonsense at the Planet Fitness gym I train at. The old folks, who should really exercise caution, are no better…
    Jack