Should I go for Form or more weight to increase my strength??

Question

I've been working out at the gym for quite sometime now. First I wanted to lose weight and I did manage to do that but I lost alot of strength during that process so now I'm doing weight training to increase my strength. Now I'm wondering should I go for good form doing the exercise or should I stack up some more pounds even if it's gonna mean doing some "cheat" or partial reps. The problem is that I don't have a training partner and I workout late at night so it's always difficult for me to get a spotter for the whole workout, so I just have to stick with "do it on your own" methods to increase my intensity.
What do you suggest: Good form less weights or poor form more weights??

Answer 1

definetly good form and less weights, try doing 3 sets, first 2 with lighter weight, then a heavier weight the 3rd set, and a few less reps

Answer 2

i have read alot about this. all the experts say that good form should always be used but if you are trying to increase raw strength then to use very few reps, and like 4-6 sets and try to lift like 75%-90% of your max. You should also know that some exercises are more for building strength and some are more for gaining muscle on a particular part.
For example:
curls are good for building your biceps. but if you want strong arms then do rows and pullups. The reason why is because curls only concentrate on your biceps, wheras pulls and rows use your biceps, lats, delts, wrist flexors, and traps.
Just think about it like this: if you are targeting to grow a specific muscle then only move the joint(s) that control that mucle. If you are trying to build overall strength the pick exercises that make you move more than one joint.
As for working out on your own with no spotter, thats tough. One thing i do is use the smith machine alot. its that squat rack where the bar is attached by coasters. The smith machine is safer to use by yourself.
when i train for strength, if im doing my upper body, i will do something like incline bench- 5-7 reps x 4-5 sets. I will start off with like 65% of my max and go up from there.
hope this helps. get more info at menshealth.com

Answer 3

If you are trying to purely gain weight on your max bench the only way to gain strength is to add weight but make sure your form is good to. Half-reps are good but make sure you do both. What I mean is go halfway down then up a few times and go from your chest to halfway up. This conditions the muscles so that you are not stronger at one point than another. When you feel you are ready to move up make it at least 10 lbs total to the bar instead of five. This gives the muscles a "shock" so to speak and keeps them from getting used to the weight and not growing. Essentially that is what weightlifting is: making the muscles grow. Also try not to max out but once in say every six weeks or more because that is such a degenerating experience for the body. The most important thing is that you eat boatloads of protein. Everyone is going to tell you this, but it is true. It is said that for every pound of muscle you build your body burns 50-100 more calories per day which means your muscles will need extra fuel to burn in the form of protein.

Answer 4

There Is a training technique called pyramids,ask at your training place If they know anything about this or go online and I am sure you might find somebody that can help you better,I am 51 now and have not been to a gym In years but pyramids helped a lot of men that wanted both strength and built

Answer 5

Hi, Do you want to lose weight & tone up or build strength & muscle mass or do you just need to gain weight? I can help you! I am a personal trainer, bodybuilder & life coach with 25 years experience. Please contact me at [e-mail] Thanks.

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Answer 6

I prefer lots of reps. It will take longer to build the muscle, but you'll get better definition quicker and look better also.