Beyond-Brawn-2nd-Edition

BEYOND BRAWN
learning about good exercise form. You need to be knowledgeable enough so
that you can take full responsibility for your own training.
10.6 Very few people practice truly good form because hardly anyone really
knows what good form is, and this includes most gym instructors and
personal trainers. In fact, much of the technique instruction given by gym
instructors and personal trainers is so appalling that it is downright criminal.
10.7 Do not assume that anyone who claims to be a qualified personal trainer
really knows what he is doing. Strings of letters that indicate certifications
of various organizations, or degrees obtained, do not necessarily signify
competence as a coach. Outrages are committed and stupidities are often
babbled by holders of Ph.D. degrees, and by trainers who are “approved” by
organizations. Be on your guard!
10.8 Exercise technique is taken too lightly by most people who lift weights. Form
is wrongly thought to be simple, quickly learned, and a minor factor relative
to program design and exercise intensity. With so much rampant ignorance
it is no wonder that conventional weight-training instruction does so much
harm.
10.9 Such is the paramount importance of exercise selection and technique that I
devoted a whole book to it. ere is not enough space in this book to incorporate
the 214 pages and 244 photos of that other book. Please see THE
INSIDER’S TELL-ALL HANDBOOK ON WEIGHT-TRAINING TECHNIQUE
for the full step-by-step details on how to perfect your technique in the most
productive and practical exercises, for injury-free maximum gains. Exercise
technique needs to be covered in great detail if you are to grasp what good
form is. A few bullet-headed points per exercise will not do. Exercise technique
is too serious a matter to be treated skimpily.
The bad luck myth
10.10 Weight training has dominated my life since 1973. I think bodybuilding
and strength training are among the most thrilling and satisfying activities
around. No one is keener to promote them than I am. But I do not just want
to promote weight training per se. I want to promote safe, productive and
long-term training.
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