I agree with your point and there’s no denying that genetic freaks exist. However, I don’t really take anyone other than myself into account when I set my goals, and I have a very high level self belief, as I believe everybody should. My hope with my replies is that it can perhaps Fuel a spark to push their doubts or disbelief aside to achieve something greater than they ever thought possible within themselves.
Marc,
Before you go…I don’t know if you have seen this, but I’m now going to do what I advised you not to…in a sense…cherry pick. I say that because I know that in the past you have cited Dr Steele as one of the cardio non believers (although I think his views have changed a little due to some recent research he was part of…plus I know that he walks a lot and cycles to and from work, having had text conversations with him).
Anyway based on the posts you have put on this thread, I thought that you’d find this interesting.
Dave,
I admire your outlook, and there is nothing wrong with being aspirational…BUT, where do you draw the line, especially if you are not being paid to lift weights or physically improve yourself?
The flip side of your viewpoint can lead people down dark rabbit holes of frustration. I know, I’ve been there. Long before I realised ( in my mind at least) that genetics were an important component for success in this activity we do, I simply thought hard work and discovering that magic routine were the keys to unlocking the great gains that were just around the corner.
I can’t even begin to total the amount of money I spent in that futile pursuit. Books, magazines, equipment…fortunately I didn’t go too far down the supplement route and I never tried drugs, but many did. The fitness industry relies on those people, who dream, but don’t temper it with reality. Many people have got rich from people like me. The Liver King is the latest example of that in action. How many bought into his lies?
This also does not take into account those who were injured ( some more seriously / permanently than others) in the pursuit of goals beyond their reach, all in the name of not setting limits on themselves. I’ve been there too.
These days…call me risk averse if you will, I have no problem with that and identify as such…I still aim to improve, but I know those improvements are marginal. I know there are limits and roughly where my limits are. I’m not getting paid for this activity, so in my mid fifties, I try to keep it all in context ( you know the old sayings…youth is lost on the young…a wise man learns from his mistakes…yada yada). I see it all for what it is, something to keep me healthy, as long as I keep it in perspective.
As I said in another post, “The Sports Gene” by David Epstein is a fascinating read, I’d highly recommend it.
But I also think that you’d find this podcast interesting…the results from thousands of HIT trainees AND high level powerlifters who probably train very differently seem to point to limits in strength and probably hypertrophy being reached pretty quickly. As Lyle McDonald has also said, once you realise that high level strength and size is not on the cards for you, it’s probably a good idea to keep it in perspective, still train to maintain, but go find another hobby (unless lifting truly is a passion…and you are in it for the joy of the process rather than the results).
Marc,
Here is that James Steele study I was referring to…
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356358594_Cycle_ergometer_training_and_resistance_training_similarly_increase_muscle_strength_in_trained_men
“… Fuel a spark to push their doubts or disbelief aside to achieve something greater than they ever thought possible within themselves.” That takes me back to what motivated me as a young adolescent to weight train. I remember one of Tommy Kono’s weightlifting and strength demonstrations in the mid-1960s at the Kahului Shopping Center. There Tommy did some weightlifting and strength feats (like bending a railroad spike). I was impressed and thought how I might do if I engaged in training and, interestingly, I actually used the weightlifting barbells and such that Tommy had in his gym in Wailuku - he provided some of his gym equipment to a pal who created a small gym where I lived featuring this exercise equipment – Tommy left to go help the Mexican weightlifting team prepare for the 1968 Summer Olympics.
By the way, Frank Jacintho so easily straightened that railroad spike of Tommy’s after the demonstration that Tommy wanted to know more about Frank, the local born superman (as was Frank’s father, and one of his uncles who went to school with my mother).
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The jaded part of me doesn’t trust studies very much. Integrity and humility are long gone in the science community. I personally dispensed thousands of Premarin tablets! When a Ph.D. states emphatically that there is no such thing as cardio, I wonder about his integrity. What is in this for him? None of these infamous Dr. and Ph.D. have retracted their anti-cardio remarks. See…lack of humility. Anatomy and physiology, and science have clearly shown the value of routine cardiovascular activity. Everyone should shun anyone in the fitness/health field who eschews cardiovascular training. Even … Dr. Darden, who once espoused daily after even meals walks. Anyone who engages in cardiovascular activity can see the benefits of this, by simply walking at a brisk pace. The wind is greatly Improved. Dr. Steele is foolish not to recognize this phenomenon. The very first thing a basketball coach does is improve the cardiovascular fitness of a team. How- by cardio! Not weights! The 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins ran their buns off, and used Nautilus!
The recent lie that SuperSlow aficionados engage in is the nonsense that to get good at something you need to do that activity. This leads to the utter nonsense that a runner get better or more efficient by running, which may be true, but here is the deception involved, running activity increases/improves the pumping ability of the whole system and improves the compliance of blood vessels along with improving fat burning mitochondria activity. Deception by omission! Avoid any advice or information coming from this deception as your heart and blood vessels will thank you. All great boxers did lots of running and rope skipping. The legendary stamina of these fighters is now folklore! Rock Marciano would laugh at Dr. Steele! Us everyday gym rats need exercise! Cardio is part of this.
Marc
Marc,
I think you missed the point of why I posted the links to James Steele. At least I hope you did. The video was to support your assertion that after a certain period of training, most, if not all people have pretty much tipped out, and that, unless you really enjoy the process, only minimal doses of training may be required.
The link to the study, AND the reveal that Dr Steele himself does cardio activity…was a nod to the fact that he is NOT as anti cardio as you may think he is.
But like I said, I’m not here to get into an argument, as I agree with your points. Just thought that you’d find the video interesting as it strongly backs your assertions.
key word is ‘insulin’. ,
if insulin level is high and/or all day long elevated , forged about fat loss,forged about health ,forged about longevity.
p.c. by the way -insulin level is Not all the time diet effecting and food causing
As I said several years ago, I come not to praise, but to bury - All who make HiT claims that lack logic or facts. Many HiT aficionados do not follow SS, BBS, Max-C and other equally non-factual regimens as regards cardio.
I’m pleased that another HiT aficionado now does cardio. He did not retract his remarks however. Discovery strength with Luke Carlson has an acceptable stance of cardio and resistance training.
Thanks for the video. HiT should develop a science based cardio program. However, it is not my mistake as regards a dismissal of cardio, but rather an error by certain HiT aficionados who generally have no credentials.
Kenneth Jay is a cardio expert with credentials. His “Cardio Code” is absolutely the best book on cardio that I have ever read. After reading this, Global Metabolic Conditioning is laughable.
But,
Thanks for your input
Marc
Did CV improve very much after his teenage years?
Not much! 5’8” & 218 lbs.
