Flair for Form: Why Exercise Technique Is So Important

1. Alignment

Last week, while grocery shopping, I grabbed a shopping cart and immediately noticed the front wheel was stuck at an odd angle. As I pushed, the cart veered to one side. I struggled for a moment to see if I could free it, but no luck. It would have been difficult to push the cart through the store like that and as I left it behind, I thought about how important proper alignment is during exercise. Proper alignment of the wheel would have made using the cart smooth, with all four wheels working together with less effort on my part.

Exercise is no different.

The human skeleton is a series of platforms, the first being the foot and ankle, followed by the knees, hips and so on, right up through to the neck. Each platform depends on those around it to be strong and stable, much like the four wheels of that cart need to line up properly in order to work efficiently.

Proper alignment of your body during exercise is important to reduce the risk of sudden and long-term injury. By keeping our joints properly aligned, they work together as intended. You will struggle less and muscle movement will be more efficient. Best of all, this translates to daily activities. Strong, stable joints will be better able to handle uneven or unstable surfaces.

Each time we exercise, we are training more than just muscle. We also affect our bones, nervous system and virtually every cell in the body. Proper alignment makes the benefits of exercise more efficient and more effective, saving us both time and energy. If you’re unsure about whether you are exercising correctly, learn before you exercise again. Ask a certified personal trainer or health professional for assistance.

2. Tempo

Tempo is the speed at which we exercise. I focus on form no matter what speed I train at, but particularly during slower exercise routines. Slowing down your routine may mean you will do fewer sets to finish in a given time, but it doesn’t need to mean less of a workout. A slower, controlled workout may be more difficult than a quicker, less exacting one.

Muscle fiber is a little like Velcro. When you firmly push two pieces of Velcro together, the fibers grab one another and the Velcro hold is quite strong. However, if you slap them together quickly, they don’t stick together as well because the fibers don’t have a chance to work correctly. Now imagine your muscle fiber being given a chance to concentrate its energy in a controlled manner.

Slow your routine down a bit, then speed it up to learn how tempo impacts your muscle. Perform your exercises slowly and properly, and then determine how fast you can move with proper form for a unique way to challenge your body.

3. Focus

Yoga, Tai Chi and other forms of exercise that focus on mindfulness have grown in popularity for good reason. Focus is critical to good exercise. Slow, deep breathing and the ability to draw your attention to how muscle feels and works will quickly boost your workout results. Too often I see people rush to get in a workout without focusing on how they feel. I want you to slow down and focus on how each muscle feels beneath the skin. Does it tremble or quiver?  Is it shaking from being challenged or is it tired from a long workout?

I believe that when you exercise gracefully with exacting form, you will in turn look graceful and more defined. Often, I’ll watch others exercise to see how their body reacts to their form. One easy example: belly dancers, who have amazing abs, in part from their focus. Chances are great they perform graceful movements over and over. Their body form is a result of their routine form. Quarterbacks train differently than the defensive lineman, and their physique clearly demonstrates that.

Yet again, whether you are a marathoner training for the next race, a power lifter trying to max out your weight or a yogi refining your practice, proper form in a manner that suits your goal will help you look and feel the part.