Day 12 Rest For me not for my wife!

If you have been following my blog you know that while in Finland my wife was unable to workout because of our son so I worked out with my friend Mikko.  My wife went into workout this morning and said it went well.  She had a tough time doing front squats because she has never done one.  I didn't go with her this morning but she decided to just finish with back squats.  We have been talking about her Max on squat and when she does 80% she is not able to go as low in her squat.   I know this can sometimes be a bit normal if the weight is too heavy.  I don't think that is the case but more her flexibility and range of motion gets a bit unstable.  Next week I think we will keep her at a max weight of 75% to help keep her form progressing. She feels that more range of motion is better than extra weight.  I would have to agree.  I think this way she will get more out of her workout and in the long run Form > Weight.  To me form surpasses all weight.  Yes you may be able to do more weight now but what gets you past all others will be good form.  Form allows you  to use the most of the muscles you are focusing on.  For example with Squat you have a couple of different types of "Back Squats"  - For ex.  Box squat ( going to 90) and a Full squat ( using the full range of motion below 90).  I know there can be a big discussion on if a Full squat is good or bad for you and I would say it is both.  Depends on the form.  Good form on a Full squat allows you to engage all the muscles in a full range so you are working them further and harder.  But if you allow your knees to go over your toes, which is bad form, then you have a risk of injury.  I know this is my wife's goal is to achieve a full squat and work the entirety of her legs.  Not only does it make you stronger it makes a box squat feel like cheating.  Of course most people do a box squat.  And there is no shame in that I would say.  My goal when I am working out is to achieve the most out of each exercise to become the best I can be.   I am ok with less weights to develop a good muscle memory.  Once the proper muscle memory is there the weight will come.

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