Secret Training Tip #242 - Be 10% Stronger in Leg Curls Instantly!

This is a trick to be done on a leg curl machine. By simply changing where you grip your hands on the machine, you can increase your strength in the movement by as much as 10% instantly!

Lie face down on the bench as you normally would when doing the exercise. Instead of gripping the machine on the handles below the bench with your arms bent, extend your arms straight overhead in front and grab on to whatever is there. This is generally the frame on either side of the weight stack. Be aware that this trick will not work if there is nothing there to grab - some machines just end at the bench and have the weights stack to the side or behind.

Do your leg curls as you usually would but using this different grip. You should feel stronger when doing them.

One of the best ways to see this principle in action is to do a set as you normally would with your normal grip for about 10 to 12 reps. When you can't do any more reps, switch to the grip as explained above. You should be able to get a few more reps out.

When using this grip you should also find that you can use a little more weight than you usually do for reps.

The reason this trick works is that having your arms straight removes your biceps as the limiting link in the exercise. It transfers the force through your stronger back muscles instead, resulting in instant increased strength!

For information on how to do the leg curl exercise, go to http://www.fitstep.com/Library/Exercises/Leg_curls.htm

About The Author

Nick Nilsson is Vice President of BetterU, Inc., an online exercise, fitness, and personal training company. Check out his latest eBook "The Best Exercises You've Never Heard Of" at http://www.thebestexercises.com or visit http://www.fitstep.com. You can contact him at betteru@fitstep.com or subscribe to BetterU News, his fitness newsletter at betterunews@fitstep.com.

Bodybuilding: Effective Ways To Handling Criticism

It's important to set the way we'll respond to different... Read More

The Importance Of Sets In Your Muscle Building Program

In an earlier article we looked at how repetitions contribute... Read More

Two Major Training Mistakes You Must Dump Immediately!

The number of myths about natural bodybuilding are too numerous... Read More

Glucosamine Review and Potential Benefits

Something interesting happened as my triceps workouts continued in their... Read More

Know Your Muscles - The Chest And Upper Back

Becoming familiar with the muscles that make up your body... Read More

The Biggest Muscle Mass Gain Myths Exposed

Performing low repetition/heavy weight workouts will enable you to build... Read More

Lower Body Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders

The lower body contains some of your biggest muscles which... Read More

Outer Triceps Workout

The outer triceps is an awesome muscle. It sticks out... Read More

Protein or Carbohydrates?

This has got to be the biggest controversy in modern... Read More

8 Tips To Building Your Dream Body

Just like routines, this document is not intended to be... Read More

Increase Your Training Intensity - Forced Repetitions

You can only build muscle tissue if you can generate... Read More

Always Shock Your Muscles For Maximum Growth

Always try to "trick" your muscles into growth. You never... Read More

Body Part Isolation vs. Complex Movements in Strength Training - Build Real Muscle Instead of Fake!

Working as a fitness professional, there is one type of... Read More

The Ultimate Hard Body Exercise

The Front Squat:As you may have already discovered, the squat... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Machine Shoulder Press

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Seated Row

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Successful Body Building Routine

There are some major key parts to a successful body... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - One-Arm Dumbbell Rows

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Building Better Biceps

Two of the nine pivot points - those stunning body... Read More

Resistance Training With Your Dog

You may be wondering, "How can I possibly do resistance... Read More

Ace Abs Without Crunches, Cradles, Or Sit-ups!

I know what many of you are thinking reading the... Read More

Gain Weight Fast With These Ten Powerful Tips! Part -2

By the time you finish reading this you will have... Read More

Muscle Building Workouts at Home!

Most people make an excuse that they don't have time... Read More

Know Your Muscles - The Mid-Section

Becoming familiar with the muscles that make up your body... Read More

The Baby Boomer Athlete

Are you a Baby Boomer? If you were born between... Read More