Tip Train Your Weaknesses First Search Skip to content Menu Menu follow us Store Articles Community Loyal-T Club Loyal-T Points Rewards Subscribe to Save Search Search The World s Trusted Source & Community for Elite Fitness Training Tip Train Your Weaknesses First Got a lagging or weak muscle group Hit it first in the workout for better results Here' s the science that backs it up by Bret Contreras & Brad Schoenfeld, PhD February 24, 2016March 24, 2021 Tags Tips, Training Joe Weider popularized The Weider Principles, a compilation of guidelines to help bodybuilders achieve their maximum potential. While these principles are often dismissed as bro-science, it turns out that many have solid research to back up their use. The "Muscle Priority Principle" is one of them. The Muscle Priority Principle This principle maintains that you should work your weak points first in a workout. Since energy levels and mental focus are highest at this time, prioritizing training allows the use of greater intensity and effort on the muscles that need it most. Although this principle runs counter to the commonly held notion that large muscle groups should be trained before smaller muscle groups, recent research seems to support the hypothesis. Studies consistently show that strength gains in exercises performed early in a workout are significantly greater than those performed at the end of the routine (Simao et al., 2010; Dias et al., 2010). In a recent review of the topic, researchers concluded that, given the magnitude of strength decrements over the course of a workout, it's beneficial to structure exercise order based on the muscles in greatest need of improvement, regardless of whether they involve large or small muscle group movements (Simao et al. 2012). Bottom Line If your biceps lag behind your triceps, don't hesitate to start off your workout with some curls. If your legs look like upside down bowling pins, by all means perform calf raises at the onset. Don't blindly stick to the "heaviest compound movement first" mantra if you have a glaring imbalance. If you possess a noticeable strength or muscle discrepancy, prioritize that weak link by hitting it first in your workout. Get The T Nation Newsletters Don' t Miss Out Expert Insights To Get Stronger, Gain Muscle Faster, And Take Your Lifting To The Next Level related posts Training The Squat One Barbell No Weak Points You don't need machines or crazy bars to strengthen your squat. Here's how kill your sticking points with just a basic bar. Training Tom Sheppard December 23 Training Tip Take the 65-Pound Goblet Squat Challenge Get stronger and increase mobility. All you need is one kettlebell or dumbbell. Here's how to do it. Tips, Training Eric Bach February 2 Training Tip Better Than Dumbbell Flyes Flyes are fine, but make this change and you'll build much better pecs. Bodybuilding, Challenge Training, Tips, Training Lee Boyce July 23 Training Tip 3D Sets for Chest Development Build your pecs, work through a plateau, and break out of your chest-day rut with this strategy. Bodybuilding, Chest, Tips, Training David Otey August 19