Bluntly, I am against machines in strength training. I won't waste this "Thought" explaining why- if you want to know more about why I don't like machines, scroll up the list of AIT's and find the one about machines. But for as long as I have preached against machines, as I have preached against other such wastes of time as Superslow, HIT, or Heavy Duty, I have heard the famous Individualist's Argument. It stems from an opposing view to the belief that strength trainers get stronger when they follow what has always worked and what has always been used to make the strongest men in the world as strong as they are/were.

Usually it works like this. A guy says, "Well, just because so-and-so trains that way doesn't mean I have to train that way." Now that right there is semi-correct. You don't have to pattern your routine lift by lift, rep by rep, breath by breath after someone else just to get stronger. In fact, taht can lead to dabbling and over-experimenting; and we all know how bad that can be (ha, ha). And yes, there are different types of effective routines that can yield good results. It doesn't always have to be the exact same thing year after year.

BUT, too many people too often take this concept overboard. When asked why I don't like machines, Superslow, etc., usually the best way to answer is by asking the questions, "Do world-class Olympians and strongmen substitute actual lifts with machine exercises or other movements that won't help build strength? Do they use such methods as Superslow, HIT, or HD? Why should we train any differently?" This is when you get down to the nitty-gritty. People start showing their true colors by saying, "Well, I'm not gonna be the strongest man in the world, and I'm not trying to be. So why should I train like those guys? I do my thing and they do theirs. I can get all the strength I need from these other methods." Are you guilty of thinking this way? If so, SHAME ON YOU!

Chances are, you won't be the strongest man in the world, but yes, you should train like you are going to be. "But wait, Chad; are you suggesting that we train the way strongmen and Olympians do?" In essence, YES! Absolutely! Why wouldn't you- as a STRENGTH trainer- want to train the same way that the best STRENGTH trainers do? What is the point of half-assing your strength training? The point of strength training- the ultimate initiative of it, if you will- is to continually become AS STRONG AS POSSIBLE. That is why it is called "strength training." Now, in light of that, do you honestly believe that YOUR alternative methods are going to do more to accomplish taht initiative than what the big boys are doing?

Folks, I believe in the following philosophy: "While you may not be able to accomplish the feats of the strongest men in the world, you can't call yourself a strength trainer if you aren't at least trying to accomplish such feats." Think about that statement and see which side of the proverbial fence you are on.

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