“If the choice is partial or full range of motion, the full range of motion wins, but there are some undeniable benefits of half reps,” says Alena Luciani, M.S., C.S.C.S., founder of Training2XL. Combining both ranges of motion can lead to bigger, stronger muscles, and increased calorie burn, adds Luciani.
Table of Contents
What are half reps called?
The main benefit of partial reps is that they allow you to keep constant tension on the muscle throughout the movement. This isn’t normally a problem with heavy, compound lifts, which cause a large amount of tension through the full range of motion.
Are half reps better than full reps?
The Partial Rep To start, what is a partial rep, or more importantly, how do we effectively perform it? A partial rep is defined as only using half the exercise-specific range of motion for a particular exercise.
Can you build muscle with half reps?

Why dont bodybuilders do full reps?

Are half squats OK?
Full reps are better for hypertrophy gains as well. For example, several studies reveal that full squats are superior to partial reps for increasing muscle size in the thighs. This isn’t surprising since full squats increase time under tension, a stimulus for muscle growth.
Are half curls effective?
You can ease your quads and glutes into things with a half squat. Since there’s balance involved, this exercise is also great for the core. Squats are great when weight training, too.
What is a negative rep in weightlifting?
Half bicep curls can certainly build muscle, especially if you lift heavy, train intensely (i.e., close enough to muscular failure), and perform the exercise consistently. They’re also effective for honing in on specific regions of the biceps.
What are 1 and a half reps?
A negative repetition (negative rep) is the repetition of a technique in weight lifting in which the lifter performs the eccentric phase of a lift.
Are half Reps good on bench?
What Are 1 1/2 Reps? In their most simple definition, 1 1/2 reps are when you perform a full rep, then proceed to complete a half rep. One full rep with this rep scheme is counted when you complete a full rep and half rep together.
What is a quarter rep?
Partial reps are used by many of the world’s strongest powerlifters powerlifters to increase their strength in the squat, bench press and deadlift. Bench press partial reps have many advantages: Advantage #1: They strengthen your lockout strength. Advantage #2: They overload your triceps.
Why do pro bodybuilders do half reps?
A typical quarter rep involves adding an additional partial rep at the bottom of the movement. Quarter rep variations are a great way to emphasize the “bottom” portion of a passing movement, giving the pecs an extra pump and stretch where they are utilized the most.
Does pulsing build muscle?
In fact, in my research this is why more and more bodybuilders are advocating partial reps. The theory is that by performing partial reps and avoiding the lockout position, a greater degree of stress is placed upon a muscle (or muscles involved), lending itself to a greater amount of gains.
Why do bodybuilders do fast reps?
Translation: Pulsing isolates the active muscles and fatigues them more quickly, which helps build their endurance. Plus, you’ll get stronger. “Staying in a pulse brings more blood to them, which can increase growth,” says Robbins.
Why do bodybuilders do so many reps?
While faster reps are generally linked to more explosive movements that result in power, training with this tempo can also increase muscle size, according to the โJournal of Human Kineticsโ study.
How many reps do pro bodybuilders do?
The Case For High Reps If you train with high reps, your goal is to build a bigger muscle. Some folks call this “structural hypertrophy” since the higher rep sets allow you to focus primarily on the muscles themselves. They also lend themselves to fewer total sets per exercise.
Why does Ronnie Coleman do half reps?
Sets of anywhere from 4โ40 reps will stimulate muscle growth quite well, but most research shows that doing 6โ20 reps per set is the most efficient way to build muscle. Bodybuilders often use the middle of that range, favouring 8โ12 reps per set.
Do bodybuilders live longer?
Ronnie Coleman wants to make sure that his shoulders are under constant time under tension throughout the whole set. And the only way to do that is to press with a partial range of motion. Of course there are other ways to use partial reps to build huge delts.
Is lifting harder for tall guys?
SAN DIEGOโBodybuilders have a mortality rate 34% higher than that of the age-matched U.S. male population, according to a study presented at the American Urological Association’s 2016 annual meeting.
Is it better to squat low or heavy?
Taller guys generally have a harder time gaining lean mass. Taller guys have a more challenging time performing traditional strength exercises through a full range of motion. Taller guys are more susceptible to joint discomfort if treated like every other lifter.
Do half squats hurt your knees?
You should squat no lower than the point where your hip begins to tuck under and you lose the natural arch in your lower spine. When your spine flattens out with a heavy barbell across your shoulders, a large amount of hydraulic pressure is imposed on the discs in your spine.
Is half squat or full squat better?
It causes uneven loading of the articular cartilage over the ends of the bones in your knee. The result? Cartilage damage and knee pain.
Are curls a waste of time?
Full squats build stronger legs all round. Full squats activate the hamstrings, adductors, and glutes, so exercisers will develop a balanced set of leg muscles. In contrast, partial squatting contributes to an imbalance in the quadriceps to hamstring strength ratio. This imbalance increases the risk of hamstring tears.
Are bicep curls pointless?
Bicep curls very well may be beneficial to many athletes, when done with the right intent. However, without adhering to the foundation movements; squats, pulls, cleans, snatches, bodyweight calisthenics, sprints, etc of your specific sports, bicep curls may very well be a waste of time.
Do curls make your arms bigger?
Doing bicep curls just provide a little extra pump. In terms of performance, they don’t help much at all and in most cases, people over compensate and pull their backs out anyway to jerk the weight up. So stick to pull-ups, cleans and bent over rows if you want strong guns.