Topic: Why I Believe in the Naturalistic or Anarchistic Method of Weightlifting

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I had a few thoughts today about why I support the natural or anarchistic approach after a question from Masterchief in a different thread. I believe ultimately the success of weightlifters depends on the size of their heart, their willingness to pour forth whatever energy and effort is necessary to achieve Victory. Obviously, those with inferior genetics, assuming genetics plays a significant role, will not succeed. Only the very best talent combined with the most ferocious and relentless effort can achieve supremacy in a free competition. Thus, such a Champion must be set free from ALL pre-conceptions and pre-imposed limitations from the "coach", the "system", the organizing body, or anyone else.

Such an individual must be set free to roam, to soar above the clouds, and to conquer things the vast majority of humans fear. Every day they enter the gym he or she must be allowed to put forth maximal effort and must be allowed to enter the gym all they desire, whether it be once, twice, four times, eight times, or 100 times, going in and out at leisure. No rules can be imposed on Genius, and a coach of a Genius has the role of setting that Genius free of any limitations previously asserted and nothing more. And this rejection of limitations must also be applied to age, whereas any limitation on the Genius based on such distinctions is absurd. They must progress according to their own will. A true Genius would get in the gym, or some other gym, anyway.

[Arturo Gómez]

And nobody have proof scientifically a whole method. We only saw examples, cases, counterexamples, but not rigurous experimental design, nor a complete description of variables. More I study, less I believe in those popes of "scientifical training".

[ViKtoricus]

If you put two twins together and were both given the same effective training programs to follow, and both were somehow brainwashed into believing that these certain training programs done in a certain manner are the best programs for their squat strength and both have extreme desires to become the best squatters, the one with the stronger mind will always be the victorious one. They could be eating the same exact foods, the same amount of foods, the same sleeping patterns, but the one who is hungrier and more focused in achieving the goal will ALWAYS come on top. The victorious person will almost always find a way to overcome limits, whether by purchasing special adaptogens, investing on deep-tissue massage, hiring several coaches who would help him perfect his technique, or even taking drugs.

Stronger minds equals success. It's just the way it is.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

And you said you didn't understand..... Your above statement could have been written by an anarcho-capitalist. Well said. :)

[MasterChief]

Your approach may work a Maradonna or a Usain Bolt, simple super talented athletes, but how many do you have of them
in a national of a certain country? In Germany for instance they have to achieve the best with the people they have. And those
are not many since football is the absolute dominating sport. However, they could form an olympic gold medalist. Certainly not the
best athlete ever, but a huge success for such a small lifting nation.
In a speech given by Hackenschmidt (available online in German) he points out that sport is not about doing the maximum but doing the optimum. He goes on with given examples of (I think) rowers who lost went to the Olympic Games. They didn't well and the reason was clear. Based on their triaining schedule they were in the best shape 11 days after the competition took place. So on the way home.
Hence my point: Superior talented athletes may not need any well thoughtout training. To get a good team of athletes with limited
choice you need to train them well to get the best out of everybody.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Freedom is best for all talent levels. The less talented may indeed desire the false security of having someone else control their training, and to the extent they like to follow orders it might even be best for them in this sense. But Champions break the rules, so there is little point in making them in the first place unless the athlete just desires them.

[Jim Storch]

"But Champions break the rules, so there is little point in making them in the first place unless the athlete just desires them."

I suspect you know that we agree on much of what you are saying here, but a "Champion" can only break rules if there are rules to break... 

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

This is the reason why its silly to try and impose rules in the first place. There is no reason to obstruct athletes with such nonsense, of any level. Yes, Champions will get around the rules but there are still negative consequences for trying to impose them, like damage to the training environment, athlete-coach relationship, wasted time, etc. Of course, we aren't talking about an initial orientation to the sport such as teaching the movements or learning how to lift safely. But this must progress at the lifter's pace.