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View Full Version : To lock out, or not to lock out


whoa4
11-23-05, 10:03 PM
I've been hearing/reading different things lately about locking out your arms and elbows while doing sets.

Like take benching as an example. I see alot of guys who lock out on every rep. I, on the otherhand, was told not to do this, and I know a few other guys who don't do it neither. I go up just before my arm locks out, then I go down.

But once i read somewhere that locking out your arms on exercises like Tricep Extensions and Close-grip benching help increase that outer head of the tricep. You know, give you that look where you can see your triceps perfectly from the front and rear.

Then earlier today, I read a book that told you NOT to ever lock out during any tricep workout. It also said not to lock out during bicep curls (I do variations where I do short reps then long reps whil locking th elbows slightly). And I was also told that locking helps increase definition.

So Sohh muscle heads, are you supposed to lock your elbows or not? What do you do and what gives you better results???

khalid a.k.a Genocide
11-23-05, 11:10 PM
I think this is one of those issues where you can go either or. Its very debatable(sp?). However, I don't usually lockout when I perform alot of exercises, pressing movements, isolation movements etc. Like you said, I come very close to locking out but don't. This way I keep tension on the muscle Im working on at all times. And I've enjoyed solid gains with this format, so Im sticking to it. But, there's no much wrong with locking out other than wearing your joints out faster than not locking out.

whoa4
11-23-05, 11:53 PM
I think this is one of those issues where you can go either or. Its very debatable(sp?). However, I don't usually lockout when I perform alot of exercises, pressing movements, isolation movements etc. Like you said, I come very close to locking out but don't. This way I keep tension on the muscle Im working on at all times. And I've enjoyed solid gains with this format, so Im sticking to it. But, there's no much wrong with locking out other than wearing your joints out faster than not locking out.

Yea. I started locking out on alot of things, but it kinda took longer for me to complete a set. I wasn't exploding like normally when I never locked out. I didn't notice too many new cuts neither, so I'll probably also go to the "almost locking out" technique then.

And I see about keeping the tension. I noticed whil locking out, it was also like my muscle were taking a break in between sets, just not me moving the weight as quickly. Then again, I see some pretty toned/cut guys who lock out, and some that don't. Maybe it is preference