When doing any form of physical activity, having proper technique for the exercise at hand is imperative. My whole profession as a personal trainer is based on helping people exercise with proper form and to ensure they are exercising correctly; but why is it so important?

Proper technique has a multitude of functions, all designed to make sure you get the most out of your workouts. There are 4 specific reasons for making sure you are performing all exercises correctly, no matter what exercises they are – jogging, jumping hurdles, squatting, swinging a golf club, and the list goes on!

First and foremost, proper technique is important to ensure that you are efficiently utilizing the exercise at hand to get the desired result. The whole idea of performing a certain exercise is to work towards the result intended; you want to drive the ball the farthest, or run comfortably with no foot or hip pain while maintaining a decent cadence, or focus on building up certain muscles. When performing a barbell bench press, you want to make certain that you are actually working your pectorals and not accidentally using other muscles (like the shoulders). Proper technique allows you to hone in on moving the correct body parts at the correct time to get the correct result.

Secondly, it’s about making sure that there is muscle balance. When performing certain exercises, such as a barbell squat, proper technique is needed to work both (or all) sides of the body equally. The body needs to be oriented in the proper way throughout the movement of the exercise to ensure that there is not overactivation on one side and underactivation on the other side. Equal muscle balance throughout the body not only gives the visually appealing aesthetic look of having a symmetrical body, but also ensures that all parts of the body are being utilized and are physically able to handle loads put on them.

Along with muscle balance comes proper neuromuscular integration. But what does that mean? When we exercise, our bodies obviously adapt so that we can handle the stresses we put on it. Some adaptations we see, such as bigger muscles or a smaller waist, but some we don’t. Before our body can visibly change, our body needs to adapt internally by strengthening the neurological signalling between the central nervous system and the muscles that are being activated. Proper technique allows the body to not only strengthen these neuromuscular connections, but to also make the right connections as well. If proper technique is not followed, incorrect integration will occur, which will hinder how muscles develop.

Lastly, and arguably most importantly, it’s all about safety! Proper technique ensures that you are exercising in the safest environment possible while still working towards your goals. Correct form is based on having stability and control throughout the movement, thus ensuring a safe transfer of weight with minimal chance of injury.

When exercising, make sure to think critically about an exercise before performing it; understanding the mechanics behind why you do an exercise the way you do will help you get the most out of it.