9 of My Favorite Weightlifting Cues for More Strength and Safety

Published: July 20, 2020, 10 a.m.

Weightlifting may look easy compared to sports like golf, soccer, or gymnastics, but it\u2019s far more technical than most people realize. 

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For example, properly performing a barbell back squat requires balance, coordination, and strength in a variety of muscle groups. Even the humdrum bench press and deadlift demand meticulous timing and muscular control.

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Your weightlifting technique also has a major impact on your long-term fitness results. 

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In a way, learning proper weightlifting technique is like mastering the fundamentals of personal finance. 

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\u201cInvest\u201d early by taking the time to hone good weightlifting technique, and that time and effort will pay dividends for the rest of your weightlifting journey.  

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So, what\u2019s the best way to learn weightlifting technique? 

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Well, it\u2019s not what most people do, which is aping others in the gym. The fact is that most people who lift weights don\u2019t use good technique, and if you try to mimic what they\u2019re doing, you\u2019ll end up making the same mistakes. 

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Instead, a better approach is to use what are known as weightlifting cues to learn and improve your technique. 

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Essentially, a weightlifting cue is just a simple reminder that helps you focus on a particular aspect of your weightlifting technique. For example, the cue \u201cspread the floor with your feet,\u201d is a helpful cue for remembering to keep your knees from caving in while squatting (you\u2019ll learn more about this cue in a moment). 

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Cues like this may seem obvious, trivial, or boring, but when used properly they can immediately boost your strength, fix seemingly intractable problems with your technique, and significantly reduce your risk of injury. 

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The bottom line is weightlifting cues are one of the \u201chacks\u201d you can use to quickly master new exercises and maintain proper technique on ones you\u2019ve already learned. 

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So, if you want to learn new exercises quickly, get stronger and reduce your risk of injury, keep listening. 

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Let\u2019s start by taking a closer look at a weightlifting cue actually is.

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6:36 - What is a weightlifting cue? 

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13:49 - What are effective cues for the bench press? 

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20:15 - What are effective cues for the squat?

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28:02 - What are effective cues for the deadlift?

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Mentioned on The Show:

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Legion VIP One-on-One Coaching: https://legionathletics.com/coaching/

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