A few comments I read this week spurred this question
- A Powerlifter, who has done very well in competition said the sport has moved to a point where “it’s not even worth people trying” specifically referring to the numbers the super heavy weights are achieving now (Over 3K totals)
- In the little tiny grip world, apparently the COC 3 cert is “too easy” even though a mere 12 people certed in 2009, 12 in 2010, and 3 in 2011. Man, too easy and less than 30 men did it in 36 months. Think about how many customers bought a #3 in the last 3 years.
- A client stated running a 5K was “pointless” because the winners were running a 5 min mile and they were not close to that.
Wow, people who squat 500, deadlift over 500 and bench press 350 need not compete anymore? That’s not good enough? I know some people, I know very few who do better than that.
I know some people who have been buying grippers most of their life, still can’t close a 3. Is it really that easy?
It could go on and on, I am just wondering-
What does the performance of the elite in a specific group have to do with what you will or will not do? Who cares how close you are or aren’t to a given record, mile stone, or standard? How will you ever reach the standard/milestone/record if you are unwilling to do the damn thing?
My last 3 grip contests I have had people no show, which is perfectly fine. What is not fine is when they say they didn’t come out because they are worried they won’t be good.
How will you ever be good in a sport if you refuse to play it the way it’s played?
Do you really think you are going to show up, untrained, unprepared, with so few coins in the bank and win?
I realize many people see this issue from very different perspectives. I do not want to change you mind, I simply want to raise the question “If you’re not good enough now, how will you get there?”
On the evolution of sport, strength, and performance – The bar will continue to rise by those who show up. In every sport there are mile stones of achievement, some more substantial than others. The World Deadlifting record is now over 1,000 lbs. An impossible number. It took over 100 years to find the right combination of factors for a man to stand up with that. It will likely be over 1050 before 2015. Seriously.
In 1950 Doug became the first man to bench press 500. You can find a 500 lbs bench presser in every single power lifting gym or large commercial gym in America...and it still means something
And even on that day, a 2.5 BW pull is still respectable. The bench press of all lifts is closing in on 1,100 lbs! And 405 is still impressive as hell to see strictly pressed.
I get emails from the KB lifting world. Some of these guys do the long cycle with 40′s for 10 minutes. An yet still 20 reps with double 32′s is a mark many will toil to reach. So fucking smile when you get there.
Maybe your performance is not all that great when compared to the very best in the world, but that does not mean it is shit either.