Could there actually be a difference between doing an action for one second versus five seconds? Could this tiny time period make any difference in your life? If you practice weight training this could be the secret weapon you are looking for. This small difference can turbocharge your results. Here is how it works…
When lifting a weight, instead of counting one-two up and one-two down count slowly to five up and then count slowly to five down.
This simple action causes the muscles to work harder in both directions, but the greatest results come in the five second descent. It ensures that there is a constant load throughout the exercise and that momentum is eliminated. This simple difference can reduce your overall workout time and allow you to achieve much greater results.
Author and adventurer, Tim Ferriss, used this as part of his 4 week workout routine with phenomenal results. In his amazing training experiment, Tim gained 34 pounds of muscle in just four short weeks, working out only two times a week for 30 minutes at a time. The results are greater than many people experience in 6 to 12 months of a professional fitness program with the total results coming with just four hours of actual training time.
I have modified my weekly training routine and started using the 5 second rule. Not only do I feel a much greater burn with each repetition, the overall workout can be shorter with similar results.
Try this simple tweak in your next workout and I think you’ll agree… 5 seconds does make a difference. Add in a great slow-carb diet and you will find results coming quickly. This simple technique works well with complete training programs such as Body for Life and Five Factor Fitness.
Remember… Count to five…