Fast Workouts, or Slow: Which is Better?

If you've read The Men's Health Blog Genesis post, you know that I've long been interested in what I call 'competing theories' in relation to exercise.

So, what do I mean by this, exactly?

Here's an example:

You're bench pressing. Some guys will swear on their grandmother's grave that you must -- absolutely must -- touch your chest with the bar to benefit from the exercise. Full range of motion is usually the argument.

Others (perhaps fewer than the former) swear that you really only need to bring the bar down until your arms reach a 90 degree angle. After 90 degrees, they argue, you actually begin relaxing your pectorals and transfering the weight to your anterior deltoids. I remember hearing this advice as far back as high school summer weight training.

I tend to think both techniques can be equally beneficial -- of course dependant upon the lifter's goals and limitations. (For more on the bench press, check out: How to Bench Press with Proper Technique & Avoid Shoulder Injuries)

Any way, I came across this article from the editors of Men's Health which discusses whether your workout should be all fast or all slow -- which is yet another set of competing theories.

Which is better? Both.

Your workout shouldn't be all fast or all slow—it should be both.

This exercise routine... includes pauses before the explosive "up" portion of two of the movements. This increases the load placed on your muscles and ignites new gains.

Go figure.

Now, think of all the other exercises to which you can apply this technique.