Flexing At the Gym

[motof]

I was readin on another board about some of peoples' pet peeves and I read one member's pet peeve being people flexing at the gym.

However, if I remember correctly, flexing different muscles you are working on while at the gym can have practical purposes. Yes, there are probably tons of people flexing in the mirrors just randomly and not really focusing, but some do it for a reason.

As I remember (feel free to add to this)..
Flexing at the gym can actually really help to isolate a muscle during your workout. I think I remember reading in Arnolds Encyclopedia that flexing would help to send the blood and nutrients to the specific muscle you were working on and therefor isolate it and let you hit the muscle harder and more effectively.

[w0cyru01]

Are we talking about flexing while lifting...or just flexing.

This one guy at the gym, weighs about 160. Our gym has mirrors on opposite ends where the dumbells are. He will walk from one end to the other, halfway in between lift his shirt up and continue walking towards the mirror looking at his abs. Gets to mirror, immitates a golf swing, turns around and walks towards the other mirror repeating the same thing. I see no benefits in that.

[Chris]

I think flexing can sometimes help you with the mind/muscle connection. It's always important to put resistance on the intended muscle your training rather than simply move the weight from point A to B. Flexing can help you get in tune with that. When getting ready for shows I've always found practicing my posing for 30 minutes or so a day helped to "sharpen" my look. I know that's a general statement, it could just be that I'm burning calories while doing it. But, I can understand where others come from. No one wants to see someone standing in front of a mirror flexing, and ahhh-ing over themselves. I think we can all tell where theres a purpose behind versus cokcy joe schmo.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by w0cyru01

Are we talking about flexing while lifting...or just flexing.

This one guy at the gym, weighs about 160. Our gym has mirrors on opposite ends where the dumbells are. He will walk from one end to the other, halfway in between lift his shirt up and continue walking towards the mirror looking at his abs. Gets to mirror, immitates a golf swing, turns around and walks towards the other mirror repeating the same thing. I see no benefits in that.

next time, hit the wankster with a dumbell.

[gymBum]

Originally Posted by w0cyru01

Are we talking about flexing while lifting...or just flexing.

This one guy at the gym, weighs about 160. Our gym has mirrors on opposite ends where the dumbells are. He will walk from one end to the other, halfway in between lift his shirt up and continue walking towards the mirror looking at his abs. Gets to mirror, immitates a golf swing, turns around and walks towards the other mirror repeating the same thing. I see no benefits in that.

Hahah that would be entertaining to watch. And no, that sort of flexing definitely has very little benefit. Except for possibly some ego boost if he is happy with his work..

Originally Posted by Chris

I think flexing can sometimes help you with the mind/muscle connection. It's always important to put resistance on the intended muscle your training rather than simply move the weight from point A to B. Flexing can help you get in tune with that.

Second that.