When I first started training decades ago, there were very few writers in the strength training field that caught my interest. In the old days, one would train through trial and error; that is, he would go down to the gym and screw up or find success through his own work. There were a few writers who had some good things to say, like the Harry Pascals and the Peary Raders. But even they would tell you- one finds his "bread and butter" only through his dedication to finding his "bread and butter."

More and more every day, I find that people are overly relying on the teachings of these so-called "experts" to find the best route to their strength gains. There are the Dr. Ken Liestner pupils and the Andrew Baye SuperStupid...er, SuperSlow crowd. Then there was (and probably still is, to some extent) the Brooks Kubik Dinosaur cult. Not to slight Brooks, but these guys would hang on his every word like he was the almighty god of iron. Most sheep-like of all are the Mentzer worshippers, who treat any Heavy Duty book like it is the Bible. This all leads the old man to one question: whatever happened to trial and error?

I realize that not everyone who reads and takes advice from these people is a zombie who backs up his training philosophy by what so-and-so says. It is helpful to read the opinions of a guy who has been through the mill and knows what he is talking about. But I'll just come right out and say it: trial and error is THE way to get your ideas and to gather your philosophy. I seriously wonder about people who whenever they are confronted about their training, they back up their ideas by including what someone else has said. Question: do I think that one can learn from another's advice? Absolutely! If I didn't, I wouldn't be running a board telling people what I think about training or answering e-mails with advice about how people should train. But the bottom line is that the individual is the only one who should decide what is best for him.

There is nothing wrong with someone doing what someone else suggests. Whether someone gets the notion to do 20-rep squats on his own or it is suggested to him, if he goes into the gym, tries it, and finds that it works, it is trial and error either way. I make such a case out of this whole issue because I honestly believe that there are those out there who only or mostly believe in particular methods because they are made "logical" by others or because those methods worked for seasoned veterans in the iron game. Anyone with half of a brain knows how silly that kind of thinking is. Defending the methods you share with others must be solidified by putting them to use and finding good results with those methods.

The next time a debate pops up about training, pay particular attention to the guys who uphold the teachings of others. Most of the time you'll find that they spend more time quoting the results of their "experts" via certain training methods than they spend quoting their own results with the same methods.

Just some useless thoughts from a narrow-minded old man!