Definition
The concentric phase is the 'lifting' portion — standing up from a squat, pressing a bench up, pulling up to a bar. It produces less muscle damage than the eccentric but is where force output and power are trained.
Real questions
Should the concentric be fast or slow?
Lift the concentric with intent — as fast as form allows. Slow concentrics reduce neural drive without adding hypertrophic benefit.
Stack with
Put it to work
Coach Foster builds your program around concentric and the rest of the fundamentals, shaped to your body and your week.