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Throwing Shade at Ego Lifters, 7 Mr.Olympia Phil Heath Impressed by IFBB Pro Focusing on Muscle Activation

Published 04/12/2023, 12:30 PM EDT

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Bodybuilding is a journey that demands the utmost focus on proper form and technique in order to avoid injury and achieve optimal results. Unfortunately, there are some individuals in the bodybuilding community who prioritize lifting heavy weights, over proper form and technique. While the culture of ego-lifting has been on the rise, 7-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath found a perfect example to clear out this misconception. Heath was impressed by IFBB Pro Marc Lobliner’s approach to muscle activation, by choosing belt squats over barbell squats.

Ego lifting, used to describe individuals who prioritize heavy lifting over technique, can be dangerous and lead to serious injuries. However, Marc Lobliner’s recent tweet drew people’s attention toward effective alternatives to such practices. 

Phil Heath applauds Marc’s approach towards training legs

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In his latest tweet, the IFBB Pro bodybuilder revealed how he prefers belt squats over barbell squats to get the full range of motion. Belt squats place less strain on the back and knees, allowing for better muscle activation in the legs. Lobliner focuses on using an exercise that activates specific muscles, rather than just lifting heavy weights. He wrote in his tweet, The brilliance of this movement is not only does it not load the spine and lower back, but it provides a therapeutic traction on your lower back and hips”. This approach helps to ensure that the targeted muscles are being worked effectively and can lead to better results. 

Phil Heath has been an advocate for proper form and technique in bodybuilding. Heath was impressed by Lobliner’s ability to think outside of the box and try new things in his training. While re-tweeting Lobliner, he wrote,That weight is great as far too many decide to overload it with plates while not truly engaging their entire body.”

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He has often spoken out against ego lifting and has emphasized the importance of muscle activation and mind-muscle connection in achieving optimal results. “We should actually feel the muscle activation throughout and not the joints taking the beating.”, the star wrote in the tweet. He also applauded Marc’s effort and encouraged him to keep up the hard work. “ Keep pushin’ Brother. You’re almost there for your show”  

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Acknowledging the issue of ego-lifting helps reduce the risk of injuries and fosters a sense of community among athletes. Phil Heath’s admiration for Marc Lobliner’s approach to muscle activation, by choosing belt squats over barbell squats, is proof that proper form and technique trump heavy weight training. 

WATCH THIS STORY: 8X Mr Olympia Disclosed the Amount of Money He Spent on Bodybuilding Competitions During His Career 

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Written by:

Shivam Sharma

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Shivam Sharma is a sports writer at EssentiallySports, specializing in American sports. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Shivam has previously worked as a writer and show host for a reputable entertainment brand. He has covered over 13 sports covered in his EssentiallySports journey.
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Edited by:

Anupama Ghosh