The Need for Speed

As I sit down to write this post, I can't help but think about the following scene from "Top Gun":

Which of course gets me thinking about the volleyball scene, but I digress. While speed may be entirely appropriate for fighter pilots in both movies and real life, it's not always appropriate for the gym. More specifically, when you're strength training.

When I teach someone a new exercise, and when that person gives it a try, they usually ask me how fast they should be going. My reply is always this—a medium pace that doesn't involve momentum. You see, when momentum is involved, it means that your muscles aren't having to work as hard. Speed becomes a driving force, rather than the power you've built into your muscles, and form is compromised. Which means you aren't getting the full effect of the exercise. On the other hand, if you go too slow, your muscles will exhaust rather quickly. Which is a completely different way to train. So again, find that happy medium when you lift weights. When you do, your last few reps will be difficult.

Also, I still haven't stopped thinking about "Top Gun." Such a great flick. When I was younger, my uncle would come over to the house specifically to watch the movie. And my dad would practically blow the speakers during the opening scene. They're fighter jets, right? So much better to hear it loud. The house would literally shake. To this day I firmly believe there's no better way to watch it.