Lifting LIGHT vs. Lifting HEAVY.. Advise from experts please

[gymrat surfer]

Hey guys. So i am struggling with which way is better to go. I love lifting heavy, but I find that's when my joints/ligaments get out of whack and also get injured here and there...

For example, I can do 8-10 reps of incline dumbbells, 100lbs. But in order for me to get this weight up, I have to explode on the positive, (still controlling negative) but might need to arch back a bit too and use a little momentum.

On the hand, I can only do 8 - 10 reps of 60lbs incline dumbbells, but here I am moving the weight in a controlled fashion (not superslow, but slow enough where I am only contracting the pecs) My form is superb!

So long story shot, after lifting light and controlled and really focusing on squeezing the muscle vs focusing on exploding and getting the weight up, I have noticed that I am WAY MORE SORE after my workouts now...

So my dileema is... I believe that in order to get big you have to lift big.. but if I am getting way more sore and muscles are way more pumped going lighter and stricter, why is that? what is the science behind all this and which way is the best way to go about lifting?

THANKS GURUS!

 

[gymrat surfer]

Bump

 

[shibs]

You should always lift with perfect form, so never try to do more where you have to use extra muscles or momentum to get the weight up. I think you have the meaning of the saying mixed up. You want to lift heavy means you want to lift big lifts like your big 3 (bench, squat, deadlift) and try and keep away from all the preacher curls, tricep pull downs, etc.

In the long run, lifting with perfect form is going to lower your risk of injury, and also help you develop faster and get stronger overall than if you were using shit form with heavy weight.

Another saying that pertains to this post, "Leave your ego at the door."

 

[gymrat surfer]

Good reply bro! Very well said! Where are you in SD? I live in carlsbad.

 

[shibs]

Just saw this post, sorry bro lol

I'm actually stationed on Pendleton though

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