alex

I've seen a lot of lifters get wrapped up in micromanaging and technique-paralysis-by-analysis where they focus so much on little tiny things they did wrong that they start to overthink every rep and lose the ability to just push, pull, and brace hard against heavy weight. Yes, technique matters. But: - There is a difference between bad technique and a minor imperfect execution of a single rep. - Driving hard also matters, and if technique is good enough then it probably matters more than losing drive to improve from good enough to great. The order of operations for new lifter or someone really learning to do things well for the first time is: 1. Get basic technique down pat, to the point that it's your default setting. 2. Add weight in small, manageable increments so both nervous and muscular systems improve at a to which pace they can adapt. This will require you to drive progressively harder. 3. While adding weight, continue to work on reducing the delta between 'basic technique' and 'excellent technique,' but not at the expense of #2 as long as basic technique stays solid. There can be a little individual variation where someone has a unique case, but that covers the vast majority of situations.