flexing muscles

[angel22]

sorry if this topic has been discussed before, I didn't see any under search...

Is flexing muscles good for anything besides making you feel tough?

[Shredded]

I think flexing and mirror buffing is a good way to see what you need to work on and can be good for the ego .I don't think it's beneficial as far as muscle growth.

[angel22]

thenks for the reply!

[Shredded]

Anytime PS looking at my abs in the mirror keeps me motivated not to binge

[Merrida]

I disagree.

I think it's important to flex muscles. In fact, if you can learn to isolate them first in your mind and then in your body, learn to distinguish and separte, and flex independently,... it helps you have a better workout.

I flex my muscles constantly through almost every movement I do. (Granted I do it for guarding purposes but it works).

There's a difference between moving a joint to accomplish a movement, and actually concentrating on the movement as it is performed by focusing on the action of the muslces. (ie: thinking of "bending your elbow" vs. thinking about "flexing your biceps")

Your muscle can contract and shorten to move your body, but it is kinesthetically different than actively flexing your muscles, and feeling the muscles at work.

My opinion, I believe it creates a greater body awareness.

If you have any doubts, try bicep curls.

Do a set without with medium weight, 10 reps, w/o really thinking about what you're doing, just concentrate on lifting and lowering the weight.

Then do a 2nd set, but focus on flexing your biceps, feel the muscle tighten and plump up and shorten, try to lift with your bicep muscle and not with your "arm" or "hands." Feel your triceps elongate at the same time. Think about how your shoulders are trying to pull forward to assist and then actively settle them back down, retract them and remove their involvement. Relax your grip and force the muscles to work harder. At the top of the movement flex very hard for 2 seconds, and as you lower, watch the muscle move under your skin and really think about what it's doing.

I tell ya, if you do this you'll really feel your body in a very different way.

[RANGER]

agreed, ask someone who nevers poses in the mirror to spread their lats. and they just can't workout how to do it. helps you to learn how your body works biomechanically. for better workouts

[Shredded]

Greater body awareness doesn't equal more muscle mass.I thought she meant flexing while not lifting.

[RANGER]

well dude, if that awareness helps to hit muscle groups more directly then musclemass is well on the agenda!

[sweetbooti]

Felxing muscles (depending on joint action) can be an isometric exercise--which can build strength and endurance!

[Merrida]

Originally posted by RANGER
well dude, if that awareness helps to hit muscle groups more directly then musclemass is well on the agenda!

Totally agreed!

(and thanks for the lower case!)

I think that lack of body awareness can result in either inefficient workouts or less effective workouts. I also believe that better body awareness can definitely add to what you DO get out of your program.

[Todd]

Flexing or "posing" your muscle groups DOES play a big part in conditioning and hardening your muscles. I for one, flex/pose both at the gym between sets and also at home/work, or whenever I have the time.

One thing you'll notice tho is that in almost any gym you'll never see too many (if any at all) people flexing or posing between sets. This is a shame, because flexing between each set (no matter what you are working) adds density, hardness, and etches in more muscle detail (visible if you have low bf %)...and besides this, it adds to your "pump" and conditions the muscle between sets.

Flexing when not working out conditions the muscle further, adds hardness and further etches in amazing detail (which will become apparent in as little as two days of isometric flexing, when your bodyfat % is low enough). You'd be surprised at how flexing and holding a pose for each muscle group quickly adds extra muscle detail/separation.

Besides all of these benefits, flexing helps tremendously in establishing that all important mind-muscle connection, which is important for applying high intensity quickly and being able to make the intended muscle work it's hardest during each workout.

I usually flex and hold a pose for the muscle I am working for about 10 seconds while inbetween sets. When at home or on spare time, I will go through my entire body and flex hard while holding each pose for about 30 seconds. Do that twice in one session and you will see that it's a workout in itself.

Flexing both between sets and when not working out is one thing I have learned from the pros.....they don't just flex and pose because they have a posing routine to follow, there is much more behind it!!! They know what flexing and holding a pose hard can do for their body and how quickly the benefits come from even a few days of flexing sessions.

[Shredded]

Originally posted by RANGER
well dude, if that awareness helps to hit muscle groups more directly then musclemass is well on the agenda!

Well dude if you can't figure out how to focus on your iso muscle while training it then maybe it can help"while training" but while mirror buffing your not gonna gain any size except maybe in your head

[angel22]

Thanks for the information, everyone.

Shredded, yes, I ment without weights But according to everyone's replys, it seems there are many benefits to flexing.
I didn't know... thanks.

[Shredded]

Originally posted by angel22
Thanks for the information, everyone.

Shredded, yes, I ment without weights But according to everyone's replys, it seems there are many benefits to flexing.
I didn't know... thanks.

*laughing* Well good luck with your new flexing routine

[Merrida]

I don't think it's about stopping your training program and just do flexing....

It's about encorporating learning how to flex your muscles and rebuild neuropathways that might otherwise not be functioning at maximum capacity.

It's about doing this "too" not "instead of."

Merrida
"A Fan of Flexing"