In certain gym circles, you will often hear talk of one’s “PR” (or personal record). Very often you see these shared on social media. There is a good and bad of PRs. The promotion of PRs can create healthy or unhealthy competition. PRs can be motivating (tracking progress is certainly beneficial). Quite often, however, PRs demonstrate the poorest acceptable (sometimes unacceptable) form, which make these videos lousy teaching tools. Much of me would prefer to see personal records kept “personal”.
I do admit to finding videos of competitive lifters impressive. These are generally quite technical and motivating. (When PRs are shared in kilos rather than pounds they are always more humbling and inspirational—especially when the kilos are my pounds.) The elites and the pros have something to show.
Whether I like to see PR videos or not, or whether one wishes to post a PR or not, matters very little. What is important to consider is what really constitutes a PR. In other words, the question has to be asked: Is it a PR, if the technique is horrible? (How bad of technique is acceptable?)
Proper form is always important—for safety and bragging rights. For most of us pushing (or pulling) a true maximum in training is unnecessary and risky. Competitors rarely go for true one-repetition maximums (1-RM) outside of competition. Why get hurt for a number that is only “personal”? Thus, most “PRs” are going to be training maximums that gauge progress—e.g., a 3-RM or 5-RM (often a hair shy of a true RM). Technique, then, should be nearly impeccable. Save the slight deviations in technique for competitions where the risk is “warranted”.
Don’t concern yourself with what other people are lifting. Push yourself. Be your best today, and train to be better tomorrow.
Progress. If there is any reason to track “personal” PRs, it is to track progress and set goals. If the goal is to lift X by a certain date, then it important to set specific milestones (call ‘em “PRs”, if you must) along the way. Be careful, though, to track legitimate progress. If your ATG squat becomes a “not so near parallel” squat as you progressively add plates over time, you have not achieved a PR. In the long run, the best progress is honest progress.
Wherever you are in your training progress, celebrate the gains. You’ve earned the right to share your PRs, if you want. I believe it was Spock who said, “Lift well and prosper.” (Or something like that.)
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!