Next 2 : Truth of Fiction? A Look at Bodybuilding Maxims :
"No pain, no gain"
This
is perhaps the most classic, most oft-quoted maxim from the world of
bodybuilding. It refers to the fact that you have to venture beyond your
comfort level while exercising in order to gain beneficial results.
Unfortunately,
taken literally, this maxim could be more harmful than helpful. It
doesn't take a lot of intelligence to hurt yourself during a workout. It
does, however, take a reasonable measure of smarts plus common sense to
get results from your training. I also happen to think that most weight
trainingrelated injuries are not acute, but long-term damage that you
aren't aware of until it's too late. I recently saw a photo of extreme
fighter Frank Shamrock performing what he called a "power clean" with a
grip that was at least 12 inches too wide. In 10 or 15 years I'm sure
he'll wonder why he's in too much pain to lift anymore.
"No brain, no gain"
An intelligent counter-point to the above, and I agree: hard training is all but worthless if not conducted intelligently.
"They'll bury me big"
Translation:
"I don't care if I die in the process, I will do anything to get freaky
huge!" It's unfortunate how so many people will risk their health,
career potential, relationships, and pretty much everything else for the
one in a bizillian chance that they will ultimately win the Mr/Ms
Whatever contest. Self-actualized people, on the other hand, train
because of the rewards inherent in the process, not for a result which
will probably never come.
"Go heavy or go home"
The
idea that heavy weights must always be used irrespective of everything
else is a mistaken idea, even for competitive lifters. Few athletes have
the discipline to maintain correct technique with truly heavy weights.
This may explain why Jimmy "the Iron Bull" Pallechia is so popular.
A
much more refined approach, especially for bodybuilders, is to find how
to get the most results with the lightest weights. Case in point: when
Olympic weightlifter Joel Senate came to me early this year, I increased
his front squat by 26 pounds in 4 weeks by using only lunges- and the
most additional weight we used was 20 pound dumbbells!
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