Strength training innovations: Would I want it IF it worked?

About twenty years ago many professional nutritionists advised their clients to avoid eating large amounts of protein because this practice supposedly created liver problems.

Now the standard advice more closely resembles that given by bodybuilding coaches. LOTS of protein.

Not too long ago many experts were telling us that eating fat produced fat on our bodies. Thus, we had the low fat diet craze.

That went the way of the prophecy that the ocean would cover all of New York City by 2003.

Social media currently provides a staggering menu of information from influencers who bellow the universe changing benefits of their particular practice or supplement.

Many preach with an intolerant narrow-minded zeal that makes me glad they dont have access to nuclear weapons to use on those of us who dont follow their gilded path.

 

How is this relevant to YOU?

Most readers of this newsletter have many years of practice in keeping themselves in good shape. Over time most of us have developed our own set of practices that work best for US.

The people who are just putting a toe in the water to try to become fit and healthy are confronted with a blizzard of bull sh*t when it comes to exercise, nutrition and supplements.

However, occasionally a good idea comes along buried in the avalanche of dung.

This does not happen very often, but it can be useful to have a personal method to do quick screening of these amazing innovations when they come to your attention.

 

Begin with: What do I want that this might help?

There are lots of semi-intriguing diets, exercises, supplements and paraphernalia out there that scream for your attention. Some of them might actually work.

However, your first question should relate to your goals and objectives. What is it that you want to do that your current practice does not deliver?

A critical question is why should I believe this? Is there any research to back this up? Have other strength athletes used this in the past and with what results?

There are some interesting devices that I find intriguingbut they promise to add little or nothing to my main priorities.

Occasionally, there is something that sounds like it is right in your wheelhouse! This is something you hadnt consideredbut it has real promise to deliver some serious benefits.

 

Next: IF this worked would I want to do it?

If something seems attractive here is where a more critical dive into the details is important.

For example, a safety squat bar could help improve your squat.but do you have the space for it in your workout? If you did these exercises what would you have to drop? How much of a difference would you need to see for this change to be worth it to you?

 

Next how does this work?

If you have a positive answer to the first two questions it is time to answer the more difficult question of how this innovation can be expected to produce results.

In other words, how does this thing produce better results?

In weightlifting you can find a staggering number of claims and counter claims about the benefits of various combinations of sets and reps.

On close examination many of these innovations have been around a long time and there is a body of experience in to understand whether they produced any results.

A deeper look at some of the great new things would ask how would this work in my body or another human body to produce positive results?

 

If it still sounds good, set up a test to see if it works for you

Lay out a plan to assess whether this innovation can deliver on its promises of improvement.

It must deliver results FOR YOU! If it supposedly delivers for some clown in an advertisement that is cool, but not your concern.

Devise a test where you keep data on how you use it and the results you get. A month long test is usually enough to see whether the new thing works for you or not.

If it works, great. You have a new tool in your kit. If not, you tried it out and it did not work for YOU.

 

Coda

Progress in strength training is always slow even when successful. Not wasting time on junk or pixie dust helps keep your time and energy for things that work.

Lift Big!

Richard