How important is proper form?

Pretty close Courtney! Just slightly leaning forward with your front knee. But we understand when you mix intensity into your program, your form will have to become second nature to the activity when the demand calls for relatively high output. Obviously, doing an exercise such as the "split jerk" will require an athletes full focus and concentration because of the skill level that is required. So, proper form, without question, is the most important element for safe and effective strength training. For this reason, it is only by necessity that we introduce form and technique into every exercise program, but do you stop there? No!! You have to be willing to raise the stakes! By this we mean, keep form and technique but also have relatively high intensity behind it. Relative to what? Your psychological and physical tolerance. You'll never reach full muscle contractile potential if you're overly concerned with losing your form during an exercise. At the beginning of every repetition remind yourself to do the exercise correctly so you can get the most from that rep but also muscle-up enough game to finish the race.