May 5 2009

Function versus isolation

People engaged in resistance training programs often seek out exercise machines that isolate individual muscles. While the intention is usually to train more effectively or safely, committed bodybuilders must resist a natural human urge to travel the easiest route. This instinctual reaction helped prehistoric populations survive during widespread periods of famine. However, procuring food is far less of a concern in modern societies and taking easy routes often leads to embracing nothing more than complete laziness. Today, we exist in a world surrounded by automation – technology set on minimizing physical exertion from daily existence. Societies have replaced hunting and gathering provisions with fast-food restaurants and quick-stop markets. Community activities are becoming exceedingly rare; exchanged for convenient Internet-hosted real-time chat rooms, topic-based forums and robust e-mail systems. In line with their genetic programming to limit energy output, modern man is accustomed to seeking out mechanical assistance at all cost. Continue reading


Apr 27 2007

Machines build cars – not bodies

I don’t want to offend the hardcore believers in cable crossovers leading to maximum chest fullness; dimensions normally only dreamed about. Nor do I want to disturb the macho man madness that happens when some trainees hop on a Smith rack to pump out a few “heavy” bench presses. But let’s get real here: machines may build cars in Detroit, but they don’t build great bodies in the gym. Continue reading


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.