I don't know what was going on in the gym but all the women working out seemed to have either watched the same workout video or have the same trainer. "Full range of motion," is what I have to say about their workouts. Each person was picking up a very heavy weight and tossing it around willy nilly; getting nothing from the workout but joint stress, maybe pain and damage. Holding their arm at a point of maximum joint strain and moving in and out of that point by a inch or two.
Breaking muscle - full range of motion article
I see people in the gym doing "pseudo" workouts all the time. They pick up a big weight and swing it around in the inch range of motion spot. They think they are strong and getting strong; but ask them to use the same weight in a full range of motion movement and it's not happening. Full range of motion movements uses all the muscles needed for that particular movement. If you cannot do full range because the weight is too heavy, lighten up.
There are times when partial reps are needed; those times when you are trying to up your weight but just cannot do a full rep yet. Those are typically saved for the end of your set when you squeak them in; at least that is when I do them. I don't try to up my weight before doing lighter reps.
A bicep curl with FRM rep would start with your arm hanging down beside you and end with your fist up near your chin somewhere. Many people are pushing for more and more weight without using form. Form and full range of motion will make you strong the right way. Using too heavy of weights and staying in the point of least resistance zone; swinging the weight around in there will lead you to joint damage.
Too heavy is damaging,
Too light does nothing,
Build your strength, it takes time.
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