There are as many notions about what exercises to do, types of training patterns to use, and types of equipment to use as there are people who train. Each thinks his own method is the best, and will gladly tell you so. There are always new-day, popular ideas sprouting-up about the best types of exercise to do, and a dogma often arises that the “new” plans lead to better results than the old plans.
My greatest blunder occurred when I adopted the High Intensity, single set, “training-to- failure” philosophy espoused by Arthur Jones, the inventor of the Nautilus machines. What a waste that was, and it took six or so years until I figured that it didn’t work very well. I, however, was very good at deluding myself, as are many today, about the efficacy of various training (and dietary) regimens. Amazingly, we’ve really known what is effective for improving strength and physique for more than 2,700 years, and nothing dramatically more effective has emerged during the millennia, despite what many say.
Trainers endlessly speculate about what types of training are the best to do as if there is such a thing. The speculating is pretty much a waste of time because so many things work well. We know, for example, that training one time every six weeks isn’t as productive as training three times a week, although, believe it or not, there’s a camp that says that very infrequent training is the ideal. But to knowledgeable trainers, some issues are resolved and we know what works well and what doesn’t work too well. Unfortunately, the myriads of ideas that constantly pop-up cannot be resolved through the on-going, never-ending speculations spewing out of the mouths of trainers/trainees and printed on the pages of muscle and fitness magazines.
They also talk about weight to strength ratios, wanting the most strength with the least bodyweight. A consequence of this belief is the pursuit of bodyweight-only exercises. And naturally, these trainees begin to argue that bodyweight-only training is the most effective. Having no real background in training, they don’t know that weight training was the child of gymnastics. Early on, it became very clear to trainees in gymnastics that bodyweight training couldn’t match the results arising from the use of added-resistance training. This understanding is what led to the development of the barbell as a more effective tool for muscle building which, in turn, led to the development of the sophisticated machines in the marketplace today. What do they say, “History always repeats itself?”
For me, bodybuilding types of training is the most Functional because it involves more of the muscle’s total functionality, its Spectrum. It allows one to look good, feel good, and it’s a healthy form of training because it gets the blood flowing, and burns calories, and it’s the safest method.
So remember, there are many training plans that are good and variation is still the number one factor to use in designing a training program. Personally, I avoid heavy, single repetition lifting and ballistic (accelerating the weight) lifting because of the increased potential for injury. The power lifters are always complaining about their injuries. This is also true for those who use ballistic (weight throwing or weight acceleration) training techniques.
So remember, there are many training plans that are good and variation is still the number one factor to use in designing a training program. Personally, I avoid heavy, single repetition lifting and ballistic (accelerating the weight) lifting because of the increased potential for injury. The power lifters are always complaining about their injuries. This is also true for those who use ballistic (weight throwing or weight acceleration) training techniques.
Make sure to check out part 2 tomorrow for a step by step workout.
For a more in depth look check out http://www.isoinsane.com/insane-strength/
