In bodybuilding, many people adhere to slow repetitions to ensure maximum muscle engagement and enhance hypertrophy. However, the eight-time Mr. Olympia champion, Lee Haney, offered a fresh perspective that challenges this conventional wisdom. The eight-time Mr. Olympia champion recently made headlines with a statement that may sound unconventional to many.
Lee Haney’s words are often considered to be eye-opening advice for new-age bodybuilders. However, his approach with slow repetitions may stand out from the majority.
Lee Haney has never done slow repetitions in his career
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In a video shared by the popular Instagram page of Flex Magazine, Lee Haney revealed that he has never incorporated slow repetitions in his illustrious career. Haney’s perspective challenges this notion, asserting that slow repetitions could lead to injuries or muscle tears. He said in the video, “It’s always doing the negative that people get injured or tear their pecs.”
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Instead, he emphasized the significance of controlling weights during workouts to avoid injury and harness the power of natural body mechanics. Lee Haney believes that controlling the weight during the eccentric phase reduces the risk of injuries and enhances the overall effectiveness of the workout.
Lee Haney compared the idea of performing slow repetitions to unnatural movements, asserting that the body does not typically move in slow motion during everyday activities. “There is something bad going to happen when you go against the mechanics of what’s natural for the body”, he added.
Haney’s advice on pace and balance
Instead of solely relying on slow repetitions, Lee Haney advocates focusing on controlled repetitions and maintaining proper form throughout the exercise. By doing so, bodybuilders can exert force while breaking down muscle fibers in a controlled and safe manner, encouraging muscle growth and minimizing the risk of injury.
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Haney’s advice highlights the significance of finding a balance between exertion and control in a bodybuilding routine. Overemphasizing the eccentric phase with slow repetitions may lead to injury, but simply speeding through exercises without control could result in suboptimal muscle development. Overall, while Lee Haney’s unconventional advice challenges the long-standing belief in slow repetitions, his eight Mr. Olympia titles certainly add some credibility to the statement.
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