is it really necessary to grunt when lifting heavy?

cjbh

admit it, some of you guys must do this...
you know those people who grunt and groan when they're lifting weights? (typically before dropping it crashing to the floor)
...why do you do it?
seriously, educate me

i admit i'm probably not lifting as much weight as these guys, but i figure, if you really need to grunt (so loud as to be heard metres away), then the weight is too heavy

is there an actual benefit to grunting?
well, am i ignorant?

Hanley

Depends what context it's in...

Shrieking your way thru a set of 12 - no
A heavy grunt/groan at the end of a hard set - sometimes it slips out
A grunt/shout before a heavy attempt/PR - useful to psyche up with
Grunting because it's what the cool kids do - you're a tool

ScissorPaperRock

cjbh wrote: »

admit it, some of you guys must do this...
you know those people who grunt and groan when they're lifting weights? (typically before dropping it crashing to the floor)
...why do you do it?
seriously, educate me

i admit i'm probably not lifting as much weight as these guys, but i figure, if you really need to grunt (so loud as to be heard metres away), then the weight is too heavy

is there an actual benefit to grunting?
well, am i ignorant?

Helps bring the valuable nutrients like protein to the muscle.

kevpants

I have to say the sets of 12 grunts are pretty annoying. Some lads are positively doing a Meg Ryan on it by rep 6 and you're just thinking "Good jesus what is he gonna sound like if he gets to 12 reps!?"

floggg

kevpants wrote: »

I have to say the sets of 12 grunts are pretty annoying. Some lads are positively doing a Meg Ryan on it by rep 6 and you're just thinking "Good jesus what is he gonna sound like if he gets to 12 reps!?"

I hope for their neighbours sake they don't have thin bedroom walls!

NickNolte

It's not necessary and it's off-putting to other gym users. Sometimes you might grunt on your last rep due to failure and you need the will to complete the rep. However there are guys in my gym that scream their heads off doing 12 rep bench presses with 15kg dumbbells. Cringe worthy, irritating and wholly unnecessary. :mad:

Brian?

I doubt there's any benefit to it somehow, I know I do it sometimes but it almost takes me by surprise when I do. I like to curse at weights as well though, particularly if I can't get the last rep out.

I don't understand why it would be off putting to anyone though, its easy enough to ignore.

EileenG

There is a sort of benefit to it. A forceful exhalation of breath at the sticking point of a lift can help you make it. Releasing the breath along with an explosive movement makes the move more forceful.

I did taekwondo for a while, where you were trained to do an explosive outbreath on a punch or kick. Now when I'm lifting, I don't scream or carry on, but you can definitely hear me.

johnny_knoxvile

In Shotokan Karate they call it (excuse the spelling) "Key-i". Its used to focus your energy, they (martial artists) believe its the energy coming from your "Harra", your core or centre.

I notice i do it as i get to the end of a set...

Apologies to all!

...though there are female tennis players that would be louder than any bloke!

puntosporting

Whatever about the grunting firing dumbells to the floor after a set wrecks my head specialy when the dumbells are getting bent in the process!
I have a habit of spluttering from my mouth on heavy sqauts or deadlifts )my heavy may not be heavy ;-) )