Lel…um that wasn’t exactly what I was on about tho
Point was that with reasonable accuracy you can and probably should look at something and determine it’s likely effectiveness through the scope of the principles of strength training e.g. specificity, overload, fatigue management etc. Instinct has less to do with the analysis.
Take Smolov above for example: High weekly volume often at high percentages generates loads of fatigue. Even following the recommendations that one should not deadlift at all and be in a caloric surplus during Smolov it’ll beat most people into the ground leading to high burnout/dropout rate and increased incidence of injury. If you survive you’ll almost certainly be hitting PRs tho
These were my thoughts before doing Smolov.
It was hard/fun and PRed 40lbs easy by the end of it but got cranky quadriceps tendonitis too (went away after a few weeks when I returned to more reasonable training). I didn’t drop out although to be fair I did not do all of the prescribed volume (most tho. I aint no lil bitch) but I could definitely see the program being inappropriate for most lifters many of who’d end up dropping out.
My “before” thoughts and “after” experiences were more or less aligned which was not surprising because I had a good hard think before doing the program.
I’m one of those who tends to over analyse things probably because I actually enjoy it and the process. I’ve learnt, drawn ideas and inspiration from so many sources that it’d be hard to list them all.
For most people or in general I’d recommend a more healthy balance than my own between doing what works/has worked for you/others personally and keeping open minded lest an opportunity to enhance your training comes around.