By using our joints properly, we even build stronger muscles. This is mainly due to a process called muscular torque – essentially a combination of force and rotation. “Muscle torque is a functional and dynamic way to measure how well we move. In the human body we are creating torque every time we move a joint,” explains exercise physiologist Bryna Chrismas. By properly rotating the joints in a movement, you essentially screw the joints into place to ensure efficient movement.

There are three key reasons why that’s so important:

Improves stability

Properly engaging your joints is, first and foremost, about stability. “You need to place your body in the best position to ensure you support your muscles and that you can withstand the strain of the weights,” says Chrismas.

To prove it, Chrismas recommends placing a tea towel around a broomstick. The broomstick is your bone, the tea towel is the tissue that joins your bones and joints. “If you just loop the towel around the broomstick, it’s very loose and unstable. This creates opportunities for lots of movement and instability. If you twist the towel tightly around the tibia, it’s so much more stable,” she says.

Why do you have to push open your knees during squats? The importance of joint rotation, explained