Opinions wanted

[miked96]

I wasnt sure where to post this so I just put it in here. There is the eternal argument on any board whether you have to be strong to look strong. There is a school of thought that says you dont need to be concerned with strength in order to to achieve significant gains in muscle mass. The other side thinks the exact opposite. That weight matters. Lets assume that weight doesnt matter. You absolutely can gain 50 pounds of muscle by lifting 135 for a million reps. You can look like Dorian Yates and be as weak as a High School freshman. If thats is true, why would you want that?

Why would someone admire or aspire to look like they are something without actually being that thing? What would you call someone that had an expensive car,clothes, house, etc but he is up to his ass in debt? You would call him a fool and a fraud. He wants to appear to be successful without being it. Would any sane person aspire to be a fraud? So why would you want to look like you were strong when in fact you arent? Why is appearing to be capable of something more important than than actually being able to do it? Why do we seem to value that?

I am curious on everyones opinion on this. I would train heavy even if I could be 250 pounds of muscle doing Pilates but there are different opinions.

[5kgLifter]

Mostly, it's about the skill involved in creating the perfectly symmetrical and balanced physique, though, I feel some have gone way over the top on that one.

I'd rather be lean/slender and strong than weak and look stronger than I am. That's just my preference though.

[Squatter]

The only reasons I can think of is to get chics and at bodybuiling comps you don't have to lift a feather - it's only about how you look. Not my cup of tea.

This is one thing that bugged me about the other forum I used to be active at. Form also went out the window.

[Fazc]

I don't think you'll get many people to disagree on this board. BUT I think that is a relatively common attitude amongst some trainees. People inevitably judge success by different criteria so what you said here:

"He wants to appear to be successful without being it."

For some people the success is merely in the look. So for them, it's a genuine success.

Not saying I agree, obviously I don't, but people will judge success from different angles.

[miked96]

No problem at all with bodybuilding and wanting to look your best. I think we all do wether, we want to admit it or not. The arguments on many of the boards that I have read are wether you need to train heavy or actually be strong to gain significant muscle mass. I am just saying even if both sides are right. Why would you choose to only look the part? Why not have your cake and eat it too? Its obvious that you can.

[Hunterace]

Early last year, when I was fat and lazy...I wanted to change. At that time everything was losing fat and looking better. In the end, whenever that would have been? I didn't care if I was strong as long as I looked better and looked strong.
Somewhere along the way(possibly BtB's influence) I did a complete turnaround on what I wanted. Although I still wanted the fat gone, and I'm still currently doing that, I could give a rats ass if I look good if I'm weak. Being weak has no life benifits at all. Why lift at all if you don't want strength. When I start bulking, it'll all be about strength and adding mass. While I don't want to look like crap, I'm far less concerned about it than I was.
That doesnt even cover the feeling and satisfaction that lifting something heavier than last time or ever before does! My desire for mass and strength far outweighs having visible abs or people's opinion on my appearance.

[Fazc]

My best guess is people don't actually believe they can have their cake and eat it.

I mean you look at some of the battles Steve has fought against this type of ignorance. People think bodybuilders = weak, powerlifters = fat. Real lifters are too busy getting it done and looking good to worry about it.

[Squatter]

I have always subscribed to, and lived for that matter, LtL's philosphy that size follows strength and along the way we learn the form. Only then would I consider "bodybuilding".

[miked96]

People get defensive when you talk about this subject and I dont understand why. Its just a question of training style. Why would people choose the one that only gives you the physical change?

[Fazc]

Originally Posted by miked96

People get defensive when you talk about this subject and I dont understand why. Its just a question of training style. Why would people choose the one that only gives you the physical change?

Where else do you post, Mike?