You want to be as strong as possible. You're here to learn the facts and tips to become a beast. So-
Where is the Moment Arm thread?!
What is a "moment arm"?
Gravity pulls your DB down, and you shoulder gets a rotational force called torque. You delt muscles activate to beat gravity and allow you to hold your DB up.
The distance between gravity (line/point of force) and the point of rotation (your shoulder joint=point of rotation here) is the lever arm.
You use a wrench to rotate a bolt-the wrench is the lever arm. A longer lever arm produces more torque. Your wrench with a longer handle will turn the bolt easier than your shorter wrench. Size matters.
A moment arm is the shortest distance from the "line of force" to the "joint axis" at 90°. It must ALWAYS be at 90°.
Your shoulder joint is the "joint axis" and the DB is the "line/point of force" in the pic. Notice the distance is at a 90° angle. The moment arm is in red.
Your angle will change the length of the moment arm. In the pic, your arm is held straight out, so the moment arm will be the same length as your arm (lever arm).
Notice the moment arm is shorter when your DB is raised higher. This places less torque on your shoulder joint. That's why its easier to hold your DB close to your chest versus holding your DB straight out in front of you!
One more example of how the moment arm affects your strength in lifts:
The right arm in the pic above shows how grip affects a moment arm. In BB bench press, your grip placement can shorten or lengthen the moment arm. Use biomechanics and moment arm manipulation to your advantage. Remember, the shorter the moment arm, the easier the lift.
Beast Mode Facts
1. For lifting a weight, 2 things matter: the load itself and the lengrh of the moment arm. If the load is too heavy, or a moment arm is too long, you will not lift the weight.
2. Muscle attachment points greatly affect a moment arm. The closer your muscle attachment is to the joint, the better. A person with 4cm moment arm has to contract with 50% more force just to produce the exact same result as person with a 6cm moment arm.
3. You can't change attachment points, but your strength can be changed by increasing contractile force via CNS adaptation (practice makes perfect) and increasing muscle size. Add intelligent use of biomechanics and you'll be a beast.
Bonus
Low Bar Back Squats is typically the best bet for having a personal monster Squat number when applying biomechanics like moment arms.
Torso length obviously affects moment arms in a squat, and a longer torso will benefit you. Low-Bar adds to torso length in a squat. Look how short the moment arms are in the long torso compared to a short torso:
You now have a general idea of what moment arms are and the importance biomechanics have with strength potential. Continue to learn and use every tool available-don't waste your potential!
Now everyone can see why I have my number goals in DB Flat Bench Press, BB Front Squat, etc: everyone goes WTF for those who have insane numbers for the hardest available lifts! Go smash your goals, brothers! HULK SMASH!!!
Where is the Moment Arm thread?!
What is a "moment arm"?
Gravity pulls your DB down, and you shoulder gets a rotational force called torque. You delt muscles activate to beat gravity and allow you to hold your DB up.
The distance between gravity (line/point of force) and the point of rotation (your shoulder joint=point of rotation here) is the lever arm.
You use a wrench to rotate a bolt-the wrench is the lever arm. A longer lever arm produces more torque. Your wrench with a longer handle will turn the bolt easier than your shorter wrench. Size matters.
A moment arm is the shortest distance from the "line of force" to the "joint axis" at 90°. It must ALWAYS be at 90°.
Your shoulder joint is the "joint axis" and the DB is the "line/point of force" in the pic. Notice the distance is at a 90° angle. The moment arm is in red.
Your angle will change the length of the moment arm. In the pic, your arm is held straight out, so the moment arm will be the same length as your arm (lever arm).
Notice the moment arm is shorter when your DB is raised higher. This places less torque on your shoulder joint. That's why its easier to hold your DB close to your chest versus holding your DB straight out in front of you!
One more example of how the moment arm affects your strength in lifts:
The right arm in the pic above shows how grip affects a moment arm. In BB bench press, your grip placement can shorten or lengthen the moment arm. Use biomechanics and moment arm manipulation to your advantage. Remember, the shorter the moment arm, the easier the lift.
Beast Mode Facts
1. For lifting a weight, 2 things matter: the load itself and the lengrh of the moment arm. If the load is too heavy, or a moment arm is too long, you will not lift the weight.
2. Muscle attachment points greatly affect a moment arm. The closer your muscle attachment is to the joint, the better. A person with 4cm moment arm has to contract with 50% more force just to produce the exact same result as person with a 6cm moment arm.
3. You can't change attachment points, but your strength can be changed by increasing contractile force via CNS adaptation (practice makes perfect) and increasing muscle size. Add intelligent use of biomechanics and you'll be a beast.
Bonus
Low Bar Back Squats is typically the best bet for having a personal monster Squat number when applying biomechanics like moment arms.
Torso length obviously affects moment arms in a squat, and a longer torso will benefit you. Low-Bar adds to torso length in a squat. Look how short the moment arms are in the long torso compared to a short torso:
You now have a general idea of what moment arms are and the importance biomechanics have with strength potential. Continue to learn and use every tool available-don't waste your potential!
Now everyone can see why I have my number goals in DB Flat Bench Press, BB Front Squat, etc: everyone goes WTF for those who have insane numbers for the hardest available lifts! Go smash your goals, brothers! HULK SMASH!!!
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