Concentric
The muscle-shortening phase of an exercise (lifting the weight).
Updated
The concentric phase is when a muscle contracts and shortens to produce force and move a load. This is the "lifting" phase of an exercise - pressing the barbell up in a bench press, standing up in a squat, or curling the dumbbell up. While the concentric phase is important, the eccentric phase often receives more attention for muscle building due to its role in muscle damage and growth.
Examples
- Pressing the barbell up in bench press
- Standing up from a squat
- Pulling yourself up in a pull-up
Related Terms
Compound exercises
Put this into practice with exercises from the library.
Dumbbell Shoulder Press
Strength · Dumbbell
Dumbbell Squat
Strength · Dumbbell
Dumbbell Squat To A Bench
Strength · Dumbbell
Dumbbell Step Ups
Strength · Dumbbell
Elbow to Knee
Strength · Bodyweight
Elevated Back Lunge
Strength · Barbell
Elevated Cable Rows
Strength · Cable
Exercise Ball Pull-In
Strength · Exercise Ball
Common questions
What is Concentric?
The muscle-shortening phase of an exercise (lifting the weight). The concentric phase is when a muscle contracts and shortens to produce force and move a load.
What exercises train the Concentric?
Good options include Dumbbell Shoulder Press, Dumbbell Squat, Dumbbell Squat To A Bench, Dumbbell Step Ups, Elbow to Knee. Each links to a step-by-step guide with demonstration images.
What are examples of Concentric?
Pressing the barbell up in bench press; Standing up from a squat; Pulling yourself up in a pull-up.
Put it into practice
12-Week Muscle Building · £29
A 12-week, four-day hypertrophy plan in three phases, with a modest calorie surplus