Peak contraction?
To make a long story short, since I blew out my tricep I took 5 weeks off but since getting back to the gym I have started working out with lighter weights and working on total contraction of the muscle being worked. Sounds simple enough doesn't it?
I have been struggling with this somewhat since I started because on muscles like biceps it is not that hard, but on something like your lats or the back as a whole its tough, at least for me. On each rep I am holding the contraction at the peak of the movement and squeezing (or trying to) for at least 2 seconds before releasing slowly and going to the fully stretched position on each rep.
To give an example, I used to do 100lb one arm dumbell rows for 5-8 depending on how I felt that day. Now I'm using 75lbs for 10 or however many I can manage doing it like this.
The part I feel I'm struggling is its absolutely exhausting, mentally as well as physically. I feel far more tired/wornout doing workouts like this than I did lifting a heavier weight for the same amount of reps. DOMS is lasting for about 3 days on the muscle worked doing this. I get all shaky and shit frequently doing this towards the end of my workouts.
Am I screwing this up or am I just a pussy? Is this what competitors/pros are talking about when they mention the mind/muscle connection? All I know is its kicking my ass and it hurts.
To make a long story short, since I blew out my tricep I took 5 weeks off but since getting back to the gym I have started working out with lighter weights and working on total contraction of the muscle being worked. Sounds simple enough doesn't it?
I have been struggling with this somewhat since I started because on muscles like biceps it is not that hard, but on something like your lats or the back as a whole its tough, at least for me. On each rep I am holding the contraction at the peak of the movement and squeezing (or trying to) for at least 2 seconds before releasing slowly and going to the fully stretched position on each rep.
To give an example, I used to do 100lb one arm dumbell rows for 5-8 depending on how I felt that day. Now I'm using 75lbs for 10 or however many I can manage doing it like this.
The part I feel I'm struggling is its absolutely exhausting, mentally as well as physically. I feel far more tired/wornout doing workouts like this than I did lifting a heavier weight for the same amount of reps. DOMS is lasting for about 3 days on the muscle worked doing this. I get all shaky and shit frequently doing this towards the end of my workouts.
Am I screwing this up or am I just a pussy? Is this what competitors/pros are talking about when they mention the mind/muscle connection? All I know is its kicking my ass and it hurts.
