How muscle contractions work!

Many clients have been asking why they feel stronger or weaker at different points during exercises, so we wanted to explain a bit about the physiology behind it.

Muscles consist of myofibrils made up of microfilaments, specifically actin and myosin. When a muscle is relaxed, these filaments are not perfectly aligned, which can lead to feelings of weakness. However, during contraction, the actin and myosin filaments overlap optimally, providing maximum strength. You typically feel strongest when the muscle is fully contracted and shortest.

For example, in a bicep curl, your weakest at the bottom of the movement when the muscle is lengthened. As you pull the weight up, the muscle contracts optimally, making you feel strongest at the mid-range of the exercise when the muscle is the shortest. This principle applies to all exercises, and our equipment at Breakthrough Fitness is designed to maximize strength training by addressing these alignment issues.

To clarify these concepts, we have visuals and posters at the gym that can help. If you have questions or want to learn more, feel free to ask during your next session, or join us for a free discovery session if you're not a current client.