I REALLY like the advice of “get strong in a bodybuilding rep range” as a means to achieve a decent physique AND strength, for just this reason. How often do we see some young trainee get it in their head that “if I JUST get my bench up to 315lbs, I’ll be JACKED”, so they watch a bunch of powerlifting videos, learn how to arch their back, tuck their elbows, pull the bar apart, squeeze like hell, drive with their legs, go on a peaking cycle, and get that mighty 315lbs…only to look nearly exactly the same, if not simply a little fatter due to some weight gained in pursuit of the goal.
Take that same trainee, tell them to do 3 sets of 8-12, when they can do 3x12, up the weight and repeat, and do that for a year…they see HUGE improvements.