Cats and dogmas

The literal meaning of dogma in ancient Greek was something that seems true. These days, in English, dogma is more absolute. If you believe in a certain religion or philosophy, you believe in its dogma, or core assumptions. If you belong to a cult that believes that cupcake consumption is the only true path, then you follow the cupcake dogma. Dogma, once adopted, is accepted without question. Go eat cupcakes!”

This definition forgot to include strength and fitness systems, which are loaded with dogmas. Many people get almost psycho about “their” training system, which of course must be the best in the world because it’s the one they are using.

I heard a very wise statement by Richard Ficca at his Powerlifting seminar a few months ago, to the best of my recollection it was this, “A thousand Italian mothers will make sauce a thousand different ways, but they all use tomatoes.”

While I am not a competitive Powerlifter, I do incorporate Powerlifting into our training at my gym.

Some might ask, “I thought you had a CrossFit gym?”

My reply would be what Coach Glassman stressed when I was  at his seminar in Santa Cruz, CA years ago . Fitness should be broad, general, and inclusive.

Powerlifting has been a huge asset to our training!

A thousand different coaches might teach weight training a thousand different ways, but they all use weights.

Zach Even-Esh emphasizes not discriminating against any thing that will make you stronger. I fully agree!

Some people think that only one type of weight is superior to all the others.

Take your pick:

• kettlebells
• barbells
• dumbbells
• stones
• kegs
• bodyweight
• isometrics
• sleds
• bands

This is just a few, of course, but you get the point.  Why not take advantage of the benefits of all of them? We do at my gym.

Resistance is resistance no matter what tools you train with.

So, starve your dogmas and get more out of your training!