locking your arms (out full) or not

ethan · 6 Jul 2009 at 19:36

I believe there is no definitive answer to this but there are advantages at times for preferring one over the other. What do other bodybuilder members think about this when handling very heavy poundages? Hard to tell if you can maximise your gains by preferring one method over the other.

fluffmct · 6 Jul 2009 at 19:49

Hyper-extending can cause injuries to the joints so I tend not to lock out with any force. For most exercises, I actually concentrate on not locking out because it's just using your skeleton to rest and not keeping constant time under tension.

Gaijin · 6 Jul 2009 at 20:15

fluffmct said:
For most exercises, I actually concentrate on not locking out because it's just using your skeleton to rest and not keeping constant time under tension.

I agree with the above.

Trusty · 6 Jul 2009 at 21:26

^ Yep, don't lock out.

semi-pro waster · 6 Jul 2009 at 21:51

I'm far from an expert but I've always been advised not to lock out for two reasons; you're not keeping the muscle under tension so not maximising gains and secondly it can create problems if you get 'stuck' in the locked position.

Freefaller · 7 Jul 2009 at 08:18

Powerlifters lock out for a rep to count, general weightlifting no lock out is necessary and shouldn't be done for the points already mentioned.

Andr3w · 7 Jul 2009 at 08:37

I hate locking out, i'm scared that my bones will just snap

A2Z · 7 Jul 2009 at 10:07

I don't lock out.

dun · 7 Jul 2009 at 10:10

Depends what I'm doing. Some exercises/ reps I lock out, others I don't.