The Importance of Center of Gravity in Gym Exercises
The Mechanics of Weight Training
MEANING: The centre of gravity can also be defined as the central point of mass for any particular body (like your body).
So what does this actually mean?
Firstly you should understand that the central point of mass in your body will change and move around depending on how you are standing or sitting. This point will also change over time with gym training, and it is a very important thing to be aware of because it is directly related to your balance and stability – and in turn these things have a strong influence on your ability to control free weights and to perform exercises with better technique.
TYPES: For the purposes of this website, the concept of ‘centre of gravity’ can be considered to be the same thing as ‘centre of mass’ although those two terms have a subtle difference in the science of physics.
There is only ever one single point of centre and it is an imaginary point which is often used in engineering and scientific applications.
TIPS: If you move your body such that you have a lower centre of gravity then you will be more balanced and stable.
Lower centre of gravity == more stability == better balance == enhanced safety == improved technique == more efficient gym training!
Consider a double-decker bus being driven at high speed around a bend in the road. The passengers on the top deck might feel a sensation of doom and be convinced that the bus will topple over and crash. But the bus is likely to remain on all four wheels, or at least two of them 🙂
Why is this? Because buses are designed to have very low centres of gravity to counter the weight of people on the upper decks.