Do You Believe Exercise Selection Is Overated?

[argent]

For some muscles I would say yes, and other no. Back for instance, needs to be worked form a variety of angles. That is what it is designed to do: it can pull down, up, back, or combinations of both. This is b/c the basis for the back is the shoulder joint ( a ball and socket joint). A BASJ delivers the greatest ROM of all the joints, so for full development you must incorporate different angles of pull in the workout.

The biceps though are much simpler. They cross a hinge joint whose only job is elbow flexion. That is what the bicep does; produce elbow flexion (and assist in supination). So aside for changing hand position (pronated, supinated, etc.) most bicep movemnts are redundant in typical bicep routines. For example, lets look at dumbell and barbell curls. They both produce elbow flexion. Your bicep doesn't know if it is curling a 50 lb. dumbell or taking 1/2 the load on a 100 lb. barbell (still 50 lbs. in each arm). It just cares about the resistance put on it.

 

[scout420]

I agree to a point.i mean you should be concerned with everythig diet training etc..And as stated above I also try not to have the same exact routine evry time I keep the main lifts but I might switch up one exercise per week per bodypart.

 

[Arioch]

I would also like to add that in addition to being goal specific as both Hannibal and B-fold mentioned, the level of the athlete plays a significant part. A novice will gain strength on just about anything, whereas someone who has been training for 20 - 30 years needs to make very careful choices, as they are, or should be, closer to the limits of what they can achieve.

 

[b fold the truth]

Lots of good info on this thread...

Copy, paste, save...

B True

 

[The Shadow]

Exercise selection does not matter form the standpoint that the body will adapt to any stress as long as :

Stress is sufficient
Recoverability is sufficient.

 

[bishonen]

my shoulders dont need work...I NEED TRICEPS.

I'll trade you for some hamstrings!

From the perspective of someone who's just doing this to look and feel better, I'd say it's pretty important to choose things that you enjoy. If that means picking silly isolation machines, then so be it - if that's what gets you to the gym. It may not be the most productive routine, but if it's something you're serious about, you might look into the more traditional lifts later on.

I love just about anything involving free weights, and currently have one machine (excluding calf presses) in my routine right now - and I loathe Tuesdays because of it. But it's only for three more weeks!

I especially love silly looking ones. Cuban Press? Check! Russian Shoulder Press? Check! Floor Press? Check! All are in my next split, and I'm looking forward to starting it.

Obviously this doesn't really apply to the resident powerlifters and strongmen, or anyone else with very specific goals. But if 1/4 leg presses with eight plates to a side gets you to the gym, good on you. People might think you're a fool, but good on you..

( Yup, that guy was at my gym yesterday. )

 

[scruples]

my newest dilemma actually has been dumbbell COLOR selection... you know, pink or blue?? actually, they just hooked up with these DOPE yellow ones too... now i'm never gonna get anything done having to make all these decisions..

 

[louden_swain]

Exercise selection is important!! You must stick with what makes your body grow. This will vary with each individual. My body responds best to basic heavy compound movements.

 

[jerkbox]

i think for me, selection is important, however sticking to the exact same routine everytime you work chest or whatever bodypart you happen to be working that day isn't. My routine changes everytime I walk into the gym, depending on how I feel. Sometimes I even switch up the order or number of sets for lifts. Of course I have my favorites that I use consistently, but I often switch up and try different movements.

Now, I don't have the same goals as a powerlifter or a competitive bodybuilder. But I do target certain areas of my body depending on what I have determined needs work.

As long as I leave the gym feeling that I pushed it, and had an intense workout, I'm happy. And I can see the results I want.