ucimigrate
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Hi Everyone,
1. I remember reading Mark Rippetoe's "Starting Strength."
2. The Preface says something like "Strength is the most important thing. Those without it cannot be successful."
Here is the exact quote, from the book:
"Physical strength is the most important thing in life. This is true whether we want it to be or not. As humanity has developed throughout history, physical strength has become less critical to our daily existence, but no less important to our lives. Our strength, more than any other thing we possess, still determines the quality and the quantity of our time here in these bodies. Whereas previously our physical strength determined how much food we ate and how warm and dry we stayed, it now merely determines how well we function in these new surroundings we have crafted for ourselves as our culture has accumulated. But we are still animals – our physical existence is, in the final analysis, the only one that actually matters. A weak man is not as happy as that same man would be if he were strong. This reality is offensive to some people who would like the intellectual or spiritual to take precedence. It is instructive to see what happens to these very people as their squat strength goes up."
3. So, as we train, what should be the ultimate goal?
a. Maximum strength, even if we get fat
b. Build sufficient strength, then get maximum muscle mass
c. Deep core strength
d. It depends on goals?
4. In my opinion, core strength is even more important than prime movere strength.
In my own anecdote, I have injured myself when trying heavy squats or deadlifts.
A lot of that is my very weak core, glutes, and tight hamstrings, hip flexors, and lower back.
These days, I try to do plenty of dynamic warmups, movement exercises, etc., before squats to ensure injuries never happen.
5. Speaking of core strength, I think the best athletes are those with strongest cores. Gymnasts are a prime example. Pound for pound, their strengths are commendable.
1. I remember reading Mark Rippetoe's "Starting Strength."
2. The Preface says something like "Strength is the most important thing. Those without it cannot be successful."
Here is the exact quote, from the book:
"Physical strength is the most important thing in life. This is true whether we want it to be or not. As humanity has developed throughout history, physical strength has become less critical to our daily existence, but no less important to our lives. Our strength, more than any other thing we possess, still determines the quality and the quantity of our time here in these bodies. Whereas previously our physical strength determined how much food we ate and how warm and dry we stayed, it now merely determines how well we function in these new surroundings we have crafted for ourselves as our culture has accumulated. But we are still animals – our physical existence is, in the final analysis, the only one that actually matters. A weak man is not as happy as that same man would be if he were strong. This reality is offensive to some people who would like the intellectual or spiritual to take precedence. It is instructive to see what happens to these very people as their squat strength goes up."
3. So, as we train, what should be the ultimate goal?
a. Maximum strength, even if we get fat
b. Build sufficient strength, then get maximum muscle mass
c. Deep core strength
d. It depends on goals?
4. In my opinion, core strength is even more important than prime movere strength.
In my own anecdote, I have injured myself when trying heavy squats or deadlifts.
A lot of that is my very weak core, glutes, and tight hamstrings, hip flexors, and lower back.
These days, I try to do plenty of dynamic warmups, movement exercises, etc., before squats to ensure injuries never happen.
5. Speaking of core strength, I think the best athletes are those with strongest cores. Gymnasts are a prime example. Pound for pound, their strengths are commendable.
