I feel a little silly asking this, but how do you lower a weight without lifting it first? What does it mean to do eccentric-only exercises?

I do eccentric exercises on my legs with common gym machines. I might contract both my hamstrings and then go eccentric with just one of them. It's not eccentric-only but the eccentric load is twice the concentric load.

One example is a technique used by people who are building up their strength to do pull-ups.

Instead of performing a regular pull-up, jump up and hold yourself in the "up" position on the bar. Next, lower yourself very slowly.

It's half a pull-up. Still provides exercise. Doable by people not strong/light enough for a full pull-up.

I used to try this, slowly lowering on an arm hang, but it hurts A LOT. Do you know possibly why?

Because you're weak. Keep doing them and eventually it won't hurt, and even later it will feel good.

> Keep doing them and eventually it won't hurt

That's terrible advice lol

OK then, stay weak.

I mean, if OP has an injury it'll be pretty obvious, and he couldn't keep doing them. Really it's kind of a silly question.

I recommend seeing a doctor if hacker news comment advice isn't good enough.

> if it's an actual injury it should be quite obvious

There he goes again attempting to give unqualified advice…

> If you like, I can write you a referral to a twitter physician

lmao…

I've had great success with doing this weighted

I'll keep doing full range of motion squats instead of trying to rig up a jack to lift the bar back up to the hooks. The sample size on this stufy was quite small and only a single exercise was performed. THis isn't enough to get me to change my lifting routine.