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[@ChrisWillx] Sam Sulek’s Opinion on Evidence-Based Training

· 5 min read
[@ChrisWillx] Summarizer
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@ChrisWillx - "Sam Sulek’s Opinion on Evidence-Based Training"

Link: https://youtu.be/WLR12N4XB9E

Short Summary​

Number One Action Item/Takeaway:

Focus on enjoying your workouts and finding a routine that promotes consistency and motivation, rather than solely chasing optimal efficiency based on current "evidence-based" trends.

Executive Summary:

The speaker questions the current trend of "evidence-based lifting," arguing it can lead to a rigid, unenjoyable approach that prioritizes perceived perfection over long-term compliance. He emphasizes that individual experience and enjoyment are crucial for sustained progress and that finding a routine that aligns with one's personal preferences is more important than blindly following the latest scientific findings.

Key Quotes​

Okay, here are a few direct quotes from the provided transcript that I found particularly insightful:

  1. "It's a weird elitism because it's not like it's Chris Bumpstead saying like this is the or and like their whole thing is this is right, you are wrong. And like that sucks. That's not cool. And that's not even true because there's so many people that get so many different results doing so many different things."

  2. "The convincing point is that if you do it just like how we're saying to do it, we can guarantee that it will work for you. when really I think the best guys who work out and lift just what you call the best lifters would be uh the ones who actually you know get their hands on their own wheel and learn it for themselves and then they get a deeper understanding cuz I could read a book about like uh you know let's say for some reason I was raised in captivity and I I read a book that was like how to act normal as much as I could read it would never translate to actually being a regular guy because you you have to like do these things to learn them."

  3. "For me I'm looking at that as though like do you hate working out like if you hate working out then you want a routine where it's like one set a a like the ideal well I guess the idea would be zero sets like in in their world it's I wish there was a pill like a real where it's you never have to work out again and this is where my bias could come in cuz it's not an objective like I'm just adding to a conversation like I can't say anything completely objective but from my perspective like I like it in the gym if a workout took if I could do 20 sets and that was actually like pretty efficient and it worked that's what I would do but it's not because that's like I'm not chasing uh maximum efficiency in a way. I'm I'm half chasing like maximum enjoyment cuz I like I like to be in the gym."

  4. "The point of failure is compliance. And the reason for the failure in compliance is typically motivation and enjoyment."

Detailed Summary​

Here's a detailed summary of the video transcript, focusing on the key topics and arguments discussed:

  • Critique of "Evidence-Based Lifting" Subculture:

    • Some individuals adopt the "evidence-based" approach for clout, seeing it as the new trend.
    • The subculture can foster elitism, creating a "this is right, you are wrong" mentality, dismissing other effective training methods.
    • The idea of "perfection" within this approach can be discouraging; if you're not doing it exactly right, people might feel there's no point in trying.
    • There's a desire for certainty and guaranteed results, mirroring the educational system's focus on guaranteed outcomes (degree = job).

  • Uncertainty Reduction and Snake Oil:

    • The appeal of "evidence-based lifting" often stems from its promise of reducing uncertainty, especially for newcomers to the gym.
    • The promise of guaranteed results if you follow the method exactly resembles "snake oil," offering a tempting but potentially misleading solution.
    • True mastery comes from hands-on experience and self-discovery in lifting, not solely from theoretical knowledge.

  • Lowering the Bar vs. Efficiency:

    • Some "evidence-based" approaches may lower the difficulty or volume of training, presented as improvements in efficiency.
    • This can appeal to those who dislike working out, seeking minimal effort for results.
    • The speaker prioritizes enjoyment in training over maximum efficiency, suggesting a balance is needed.

  • Evolving Training and Individual Preferences:

    • The speaker acknowledges updating his own training approach based on experience and results.
    • The assumption that "evidence-based" routines are inherently less enjoyable is challenged; enjoyment is subjective and can be found in any method.
    • Many different training methodologies exist (531, 5x5, German Volume Training, etc.).

  • Compliance and Motivation:

    • The biggest obstacle for most gym-goers is compliance (sticking to a routine).
    • Lack of motivation and enjoyment are primary reasons for non-compliance.