Reader’s Question: Does it matter how fast I lift a weight?

Answer:  Yes.  Different rep speeds will have different effects.  While there is debate when it comes to the “time under tension” rule, there is no doubt a different training effect when you take 4-5 seconds to lower a weight than there is when you take 1-2 seconds to lower a weight.

Traditionally, rep speed should be specific to what you are training for.  Athletes usually require faster tempos because it’s conducive to the explosive movements of their sport.  When training for general fitness or weight loss, you can take advantage of a lot of different tempos.  Therefore, for general populations I recommend varying the tempo so long as proper form is maintained.