Strength Building Guide

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by MikeM

I like the myth debunking idea.

How about a section on food too?

Certainly. I want to include popular strength eating protocols from Rippetoe to Christy to you name it...

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Pull14

I like the sound of this, Steve. Will be looking forward the final product.

As for the suggestions, maybe consider adding a bit on training mentality - choosing goals (short/long term), maintaining the same goal and consistency in all aspects related to achieving that goal. In addition to how one would approach lifts mentally; from the warm up to the working sets to the PR attempts... And the many other "mentalities" that aren't coming mind right now.

Great ideas. Thanks!

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Spartigus

I love this idea.

Maybe something on which supplements are worth investing in as a novice and intermediate? Which could tie into diet.

Certainly. Good idea.

[BendtheBar]

Which strength programs merit mention?

Wendlers
Westside
Rippetoe
Christy
Smolov

???

[MikeM]

How about ideas on flexibility and mobility, too?

And injury prevention, like rotator cuff and lower back stuff?

[bamazav]

What about some discussion about functional training and maybe sport specific strength training? For instance Basketball players and Football players do some similar training, but also some very different styles of training.

Thought 2... How about a section that is Home Training specific, looking at using what you have around you as well as a barbell or dumbbells?

I would be happy to help in any way I can.

[Pull14]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Which strength programs merit mention?

Wendlers
Westside
Rippetoe
Christy
Smolov

???

Hard to say considering they all take a different approach (unfamiliar w/Christy). They all have been proven to work fairly well and some favor one over the other. In those respects each has merit.

On a side, thorough explanations of the 'styles'/philosophies of programs can be provided along side some of these guys programs as examples. This can get the reader thinking for themselves when it comes to programming and the examples can be used as a visual aid of sorts.

[kitarpyar]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Which strength programs merit mention?

Wendlers
Westside
Rippetoe
Christy
Smolov

???

^^^ All of these. I would throw in the 20 rep squat routine and its variants. High rep squatting may not be as effective as increasing 1RM as some others, but you sure need to harden yourself mentally to go through a widowmaker routine.

Originally Posted by MikeM

How about ideas on flexibility and mobility, too?

And injury prevention, like rotator cuff and lower back stuff?

^^^ I was going to mention this too - as Mike says, rotator cuffs and lower back. Also hammies, and joints like ankles, elbows and wrists.

In addition to these, I would be interested in seeing some other stuff -
1. Basic guidelines of programming and program selection, including, but not restricted to fullbody vs splits, utilizing different rep ranges for maximizing gains, designing a split routine, assistance exercise selection and so on.
2. Common ways of failing a lift and identifying weak links, and suggested auxillary exercises to help strengthen the weak links.
3. A fun section on uniquely odd lifts.
4. A bit of history - its a shame when strength trainees have no idea of Bobby Pandour, or George Hackenschmidt, or Arthur Saxon, or even in some cases Eugene Sandow.
5. Calculators - calories, 1RMs, Wilks coefficients etc.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by MikeM

How about ideas on flexibility and mobility, too?

And injury prevention, like rotator cuff and lower back stuff?

Could do, but would need some help on what specifically to cover. I am fairly uneducated in these areas.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Pull14

Hard to say considering they all take a different approach (unfamiliar w/Christy). They all have been proven to work fairly well and some favor one over the other. In those respects each has merit.

On a side, thorough explanations of the 'styles'/philosophies of programs can be provided along side some of these guys programs as examples. This can get the reader thinking for themselves when it comes to programming and the examples can be used as a visual aid of sorts.

For the guide I want to make sure I mention all the popular approaches...stuff tossed about on forums.

I forgot about Starr and the Texas Method.

I will definitely be listing styles/workout types and explanations. This will be a big part of things.