01/05/2026
Exercise Form Matter
Anna Dark
Fitness Director at Take Charge Fitness Program
January 5, 2026
Whether you are new to exercise or a seasoned exercise "professional", good exercise form is the foundation for safe and effective fitness. First and foremost, its not about how much you can lift, it's about how you move and position your body.
So, let's discuss why exercise form matters:
1. Injury prevention. Executing an exercise with poor form significantly increases the risk of acute and chronic injuries. For most exercises, proper spinal alignment, joint alignment, and weight distribution are key to protect your body during ex*****on of exercises as well helping you move more efficiently.
2. Working the intended muscle per the exercise effectively. Proper form will assure that the intended muscle to work is not being sabotaged by poor form. For example, as a trainer myself, the one exercise I see that is consistently being performed with poor form is the simple bicep curl. Swinging the weights using momentum in the bicep curl shifts the work to shoulders and back. By being stricter with your movement in the bicep curl (elbows tucked as if bolted to your side), with smooth movement and not swinging will assure you are actually working those biceps!!
3. Your efforts will pay off. Working hard and then focusing on the outcomes in the mirror creates a sense of urgency to use heavier weights or longer runs, or faster times. Remember that without proper form, the new PRs lose their value. Form is always first and then intensity is second. When form is solid, strength and endurance will follow naturally.
No matter your fitness level, focusing on form is a MUST! Your workouts will be high quality, and the results will show! Slow down, focus on proper technique, and remember in fitness that quality of a workout is ALWAYS better than quantity.