I've been re-reading the post I put up yesterday from Bill DeSimmone and there are some elements that have been prompting some reflection. I think it is worth re posting part of that post alone to highlight the particular issues that he got me thinking around:
I think this is a really interesting and important point. Sometimes the way in which exercise is presented, the idea seems to be that you can forever keep on progressing in terms of weight or reps....obviously that is untrue or else given time we would all be deadlifting 1000lb or whatever. There is a ceiling. How do we handle it?
Bill has an interesting approach in changing the metric.
...... being obsessed with “progression” (is no good if it) leads to injury or makes you dread training.
For me, “progress” in terms of amount of weight lifted is an obsolete standard. As we age, “normal” is to decline; so, if the weights I handle stay the same, I’m ahead of normal. The only way to maintain is to train regularly, and the way to train regularly is to avoid injury.
In the early stages of training, weight and reps are perfectly valid standards. But once you are strong enough and big enough, you have to weigh the possible marginal benefits of increasing weight and reps vs. the additional discomfort and strain. For me, I find it a lot more useful to “progress” in terms of control of muscular actions, and the Bodyblade®, Bosu®, and ball are ways of addressing this.
I think this is a really interesting and important point. Sometimes the way in which exercise is presented, the idea seems to be that you can forever keep on progressing in terms of weight or reps....obviously that is untrue or else given time we would all be deadlifting 1000lb or whatever. There is a ceiling. How do we handle it?
Bill has an interesting approach in changing the metric.
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