Cheating is never good! Sure, you may get away with something for a while, but it tends to catch up to you. The same is true when you’re working out. Now, by “Cheat”, we mean using incorrect form and other body parts to help you complete the listed Sets and Reps. Too many people use incorrect form just to lift heavier weight. They are not helping themselves. In fact, many injuries can be attributed to using poor form and “cheating” just to lift a heavier weight.

We see a lot of this with Bicep Curls. Some people will swing dumbbells back and then use their back and legs to lift the dumbbells. They are putting unnecessary stress on different parts of their body just to lift more weight. They should go down in weight and use proper form. They would work their biceps better and decrease the risk of injury, especially to their back.

Another example of people “cheating” just to lift heavier weight is with Front Raises, especially when using dumbbells. With Front Raises, you should be working your shoulders. However, far too often, we see people bend forward, swing their arms back, if they are using dumbbells, and then thrust their hips forward, swing their arms to the front and then bend their back to get weight up to shoulder level. And, instead of being in control of the weight, the weight reaches its highest point and then abruptly drops, which puts more unnecessary stress on other parts of the body. Again, they should go down in weight and use proper form. They would work their shoulders better and decrease the risk of injury, especially to their back.

The above are just two examples of inappropriate form, but it could occur with any exercise. Do yourself a favor and use weight where you can control it and use proper form. If you find yourself using other body parts to lift a certain weight, decrease the weight. It’s that simple! Yes, you want to work your muscles, but you want to do it the right way.

Most of us are not world class athletes looking to break a world record. So, there will always be someone bigger, stronger and/or faster. Don't “cheat” to try to lift more than the person next to you. Lower the weight, do the listed Sets and Reps with proper form and be the best you that you can be! In doing so, you’ll get a great workout!