If you step foot in almost any gym across America, including most high schools, universities, and professional sport teams, you will see exercise technique so wretched it will make your eyes hurt. So this brings us back to the original question; is good technique really important? If you ask the coaches doing the teaching they would most likely tell you “Of course it is.” Then they will proceed to tell you that everybody in here has a degree and is a trained professional. Anybody who manages a McDonalds and graduates from Hamburger U is a trained professional. It doesn’t mean I want him teaching me how to lift a barbell properly.

Generally most coaches learn technique from a book, magazine, or other unqualified coaches. The information they are getting is often convoluted and disseminated by people who have spent their lives in a state of atrophy, or even worse physical therapy. They then pass this “knowledge” on to you. It would be difficult to learn how to tie your shoes under these circumstances let alone a complex movement such as the snatch.

It’s Not Just What You Do, Its How You Do It.

I have trained in gyms and weight rooms across America for the past twenty-five years and I have come to one conclusion. Most trainers and strength coaches haven’t a clue as to what efficient technique looks like. I’m just talking about basic exercises; squat, bench, RDL, etc. I am not even talking about the Olympic lifts! Rounded backs, partial range of motion, improper bar trajectory, twisting torsos, and shifting hips are just a small sampling of the assault that my eyes have endured over the years. It is only getting worse.
Because strength and conditioning or “sports specific training” has exploded over the last fifteen to twenty years, there is a shortage of “certified” (and I use that term loosely) strength coaches. People have recognized this shortage and rushed out to create companies that for a price will certify anybody. Some companies require a four-year degree while others just require a heartbeat. However, both will give you a certificate proclaiming you as a certified professional.
It requires much more than book knowledge and a four year degree to become a highly qualified coach. It takes years of “lab” time. When I wanted to become a strength coach I sought out the best mentors I could find. I transferred to Cortland State because they had the best Physical Education program in the country. After graduating, I packed up my car and drove from New York to California and enrolled at Long Beach State’s Masters Program because Hall of Fame Strength and Conditioning Coach Dr. John Garhammer was teaching there. He is one of the top sport biomechanists in the world. I showed up at Van Nuys High School to learn how to be a weightlifter because that’s where Hall of Fame Weightlifting coach Bob Takano was training Olympic weightlifters.
I made a conscious decision 15 years ago to be a strength coach. I realized there is only so much you can learn from a book. If you truly want to learn how to do something properly, you need to get your hands dirty and sweat. There is no easy way, and there is no substitute for experience.

Yes, Efficient Technique is Important!

Why is technique important? Simply stated, performing exercises properly insures that you will receive the results the exercises are supposed to provide. Make no mistake, there is a right way and a wrong way to lift weights!
I feel better now, except my knee is a little sore from stepping up on this soapbox.

–
Sean
Pure Strength

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