When i go to the Arnold Classic or the Mr. Olympia events…i am more impressed with the strength competitions than the physiques onstage
I agree. I’d rather watch powerlifting than bodybuilding. And I liked competing in powerlifting more than bodybuilding, but I was a better bodybuilder than I was powerlifter.
Powerlifting competitions are fun to compete in. Bodybuilding competitions are a tense environment.
I think bro-Science often tends to be ahead of the “Real Science”. Particularly in terms of training variables. I think studies can suggest something may be effective but there are outliers and people who respond better to different types of stimuli in the gym, even within these studies. In my evaluation, you could perhaps use scientific literature to help get you started (even though so much of it is conflicting and mostly done on new lifters), but you’re really going to have to find your own answers in the trenches. You are the science experiment, as well as the scientist. You control the variables. I really don’t regret any training phase I’ve done because they’ve all given me answers about what’s effective for me.
This really goes for diet, as well, as we see such a broad range of outcomes with different diets. I believe it’s about finding a diet that your body agrees with, allows for good digestion and maximizes ATP production.
Generally, I trust a physique more than a lab coat. Even Dr. McGuff (who I like and respect) has said “If you’re more jacked than me you don’t have to listen to what I say”. And I don’t really follow his training ideas because I am more jacked than he has ever been and HIT did not really produce for me like higher volume and higher frequency protocols have. I enjoyed Body by Science and am currently wearing a Heavy Duty tanktop, so I’m not anti-HIT, but my time with it over the course of a year and a half just didn’t yield the results I had hoped for. I think Brian Johnston is a bit more on point with his emphasis on getting a pump and working the muscles from different angles to get the bodybuilder look.
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Bro-Science existed because real science didn’t care.
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Some good points made there, Dave!
I have come to realize that the most rewarding training protocols and diets - are individual, contextual and highly a matter of recovery ability. There is a learning curve here, especially after initial progress has plateaued. Healthy routines/habits and good priorities will never go entirely wrong.
Using me as an example, I have a stressful job, three little girls and a partner - lots of everyday needs/duties which follows responsibility. My first priority is working routines/habits concerning diet. We are flexitarians, eating a healthy balanced diet on a regular schedule 5-6 times a day. Food is expensive, but if I manage to bring proper nutritional meals on the table with enough fruits/greens - Everyone will be happier. We are probably close to a free form mediterranean (Scandinavian) diet without fixations on any end. No bloodsugar droppings, more stable tempers - and a solid foundation for working out! So, diet/nutrition is its own working vessel on my/our behalf - A first priority, in line with the OP:s question.
Recovery is what it is, considering the circumstances. I have a good sleep whenever I allow myself to sleep, though probably get 6-7 hours a night at best.
My greatest challenge lies in finding the time and energy for working out. Many strategies must be applied here to make it actually happen. The most important to me is: 1. A social powerlifting day with collegues (hard to neglect), 2. Having a small home gym for either everyday accessory work or HIT sessions 1-2 times a week. 3. Any training is good training: Walks (to/from work), playing with kids, carrying groceries in a farmers walk fashion. And yes, we live in an apartment on the 4th floor without elevator, meaning a lot of loaded carries and step-up/down excercise! I thought of adding some running, but I haven’t made up my priorities on that one.
To conclude, what I’m saying here, is that the diet/nutrition is the base/foundation which my training rely upon. I wouldn’t have it the other way round. Does it work? Well, yes, partly or probably - I have managed to maintain my muscleweight and bodyfat for the past two years, but seeing strength progression in the three big lifts. Thus, powerlifting is a plateaubreaker for me, believing in strength preceding gains. Btw, I see HIT and powerlifting complementing each other (I am becoming a grinder to be reckoned with, as I am used to long hard HIT reps/sets - HIT is appearantly creating muscular endurance to be applied in powerlifting. Very interesting. I do wonder what @Ellington_Darden thinks of this theory…
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I find it much easier to focus on training because that requires my full commitment for just 1 hour every other day, whereas nutrition demands your focus and discipline 24/7, every single day.
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But you CAN skip training for a while, whereas eating is a necessity EVERY DAY! But maybe we are saying the same thing here…
It also determines what the individuals end goals are