What Line Do You Take?

[muscle99]

When performing each rep, do you take the natural line of movement or fight it and go straight? Only some exercises give you a "choice". If I fight for a straight line, there is less distance to move the weight I feel. What are your views on this?

[Specter]

In my case I go for the line where I feel the most muscle contraction.

[Pseudonym]

Not sure I understand you, Muscle99. What exercise are you talking about?

As a rule, I try to go for the natural line of movement, because, well, that's most natural and therefore least damaging to joints. But that's a very generic answer, and it might change if you clarify the question a bit more.

[muscle99]

Ok, yeah that was vague on my behalf haha. Barbell bench press & possibly squat are the only two exercises I think this applies to.

[nemesis]

Ok, yeah that was vague on my behalf haha. Barbell bench press & possibly squat are the only two exercises I think this applies to.

??? Now Im more confused

[severe]

Whatever doesn't create a 'bad' hurt. Like joint pain. Like specter; the most contraction, yet without going out of a safe alignment that could cause ligament/tendon/joint pain.

A couple of poor forms and training can suffer.