Flexing as a form of exercise

[Javier Colon]

Just a question for everyone. I think its pretty effective at getting the body to understand how to create tension throughout the body, which could be helpful for a lot of exercises. Anyone agree, disagree or just never considered it?

[Larry Roseman]

Like posing in front of the mirror? It's quite helpful (or hurtful) for one's ego.

I've never thought about it, but you make a good point.

Flexing, as in shortening muscles and holding them, has some minute value as exercise.

It prevents muscle atrophy. If I'm driving a long time I'll flex and release my legs and

butt to keep the blood circulating. There is a relaxation response after the tightening,

which also has value.

Of course it is crucial to harden your core mostly, when you are performing a variety of

exercises, from lifts or gymnastic movements to running or swimming. But flexing

appendages during exercise generally impeeds movement. It's counter-productive

because the exercise can't shorten muscles to generate power as they are already shortened.

Doing support work in GB you need to stiffen your arms, but I'm not sure that would be considered "flexing".

[Cole Dano]

This idea has been around for a very long time. Obviously bodybuilders do it to make their muscles more defined. Pavel talks about it in his books as a way to develop more strength through muscle recruitment. Yogis did tension release exercises, as did the asians. One interesting art is called Kin Shi-Hai Do, which is solely devoted to developing strength through self resistance.

[Joshua Naterman]

The primary benefit is learning to connect consciously with your muscles. Good for the brain, and if you learn the right neural patterns it's good for gymnastics and any other sport!

Bodybuilders do this because it is honestly very tiring to hold a flexed position for a minute at a time or more, and that's what they have to do in competitions. If they don't train for it they'll have a hard time hahaha! Kind of funny, but also true.

This has no more (and no less) to do with increasing muscle definition than high reps vs low reps. You look more cut when you're flexing, but that's about it.

[Cole Dano]

Yes that is what i meant, should have made it more clear, but i'm not very talkative right now.

Some of the early Indian bodybuilders are very interesting with regard to this, as they did seem to view the art as not just showing off, but of muscle control, which is an idea i like and certainly has application for any physical culturist. About the time yoga was making its comeback in India bodybuilding was also becoming popular. In fact the men who brought yoga back to India and who popularized muscle building had studios right next door to each other.

[Donar]

It was fairly popular with old school strongmen.

Check out Muscle Control by Max Sick:

http://www.maxalding.co.uk/mc-book-engl ... -intro.htm

There's a lot more out there, too.

I think it is very valuable.

[Larry Roseman]

One interesting art is called Kin Shi-Hai Do, which is solely devoted to developing strength through self resistance.

That's similar to isometrics no?

Flexing I believe has no resistance.

Though some BB poses can involve resistance.

[Joshua Naterman]

It was fairly popular with old school strongmen.

Check out Muscle Control by Max Sick:

http://www.maxalding.co.uk/mc-book-engl ... -intro.htm

There's a lot more out there, too.

I think it is very valuable.

I think so too.

[Quick Start Test Smith]

Karateka have practiced this for a long time. There are even special kata (Sanchin kata) designed for this.

[Javier Colon]

I think it has alot of benefits. I just noticed today when trying to mimic a front lever my left lat doesnt really fire like my right does. Im sure its due to a past shoulder subluxation. Im sure its holding me back from progressing. I guess im gonna keep doing it for a few mins a day and see if it starts to fire off any more than it does after a month.