It's in the "Doing"

[Fred Fornicola]

“Try it and find out!” are probably the simplest words ever spoken yet by far, can be the most influential. Quite often, people ask opinions or suggestions from others who they feel or deem to be more knowledgeable than themselves. And like most often times, a person will respond by either regurgitating what they were told or think to be a correct response based on something they’ve read, have seen or possibly heard. Few are ever capable of recognizing what they’ve actually gained from personal experience because they are generally unaware and haven't peeled down enough layers to comprehend

Too often individuals dole out recommendations with little or no working knowledge. More often than not it would be best for them to provide no comment or suggestion at all, but for some reason, they feel they are "in the know". For those who truly understand what is of value, the sound advice of “try it and find out” can be the best counsel one could ever offer. Being unique individuals with distinct needs, one can, through trial and error, discover what is in fact best for them.

Better stated is a quote from Luc de Clapiers de Vauvenargues: “The things we know best are things we haven’t been taught.”

[Craig T. Covington]

“Try it and find out!” are probably the simplest words ever spoken yet by far, can be the most influential. Quite often, people ask opinions or suggestions from others who they feel or deem to be more knowledgeable than themselves. And like most often times, a person will respond by either regurgitating what they were told or think to be a correct response based on something they’ve read, have seen or possibly heard. Few are ever capable of recognizing what they’ve actually gained from personal experience because they are generally unaware and haven't peeled down enough layers to comprehend

Too often individuals dole out recommendations with little or no working knowledge. More often than not it would be best for them to provide no comment or suggestion at all, but for some reason, they feel they are "in the know". For those who truly understand what is of value, the sound advice of “try it and find out” can be the best counsel one could ever offer. Being unique individuals with distinct needs, one can, through trial and error, discover what is in fact best for them.

Better stated is a quote from Luc de Clapiers de Vauvenargues: “The things we know best are things we haven’t been taught.”

Mr. Fornicola,
Even though I agree with you and have enjoyed reading your posts on some of the other threads, I would like to respectfully point something out. Hopefully, this doesn't fall into the "best for them to provide no comment or suggestion at all" category. I can only speak for myself but there are probably others like me who ask questions simply out of curiosity or to learn the viewpoints of others. If someone has accomplished something that I haven't been able to (and there are a LOT of them on this forum) then I am curious how they did it whether I try out their advice or not. Also, there are many people on this forum with very little training experience and they need someone like you to tell them to try it and find out but they may just be wanting to know what exactly to try out. This probably seems like an obvious point but I just don't want anyone to feel like they have no right to ask a question or to give advice to someone who does.
Your comment reminded me of two things Bruce Lee used to say. The wording may not be exact.
"Absorb what is useful, discard the rest."
"Your truth is not my truth."
Very Respectfully,
Craig

[Fred Fornicola]

Craig,

Thanks for commenting and please call me Fred.

I'm not suggesting that someone not ask how to do something...there are plenty of us that like to get others experiences, opinions and feedback, what I'm suggesting is not to take what you are told as gospel. Take the suggestions/recommendations, try it and discover for yourself what works for you and those you may happen to work with. Most people just want to know the "X's and O's" of training: specifics like sets, reps, exercises, etc.....that should be the least of someone's concern, "doing it" allows for self-discovery if you are open to it.

[Craig T. Covington]

Fred,
Well said. That's what I figured you meant. I just didn't anyone to misunderstand and feel they shouldn't participate in discussions because they're not "in the know." And yes, nothing beats "just doing it" and figuring it out on your own for self discovery.

[Doug Scott]

As you train (especially if you are a student of the game) you become more mature with your approach, and become your "own man." It is natural to ask questions and imitate others or their workouts, especially in the beginning; but as you gain "experience" hopefully you have discovered what works and what does'nt; what is practical and what's not; and what has "value" and what doesn't (for you). This trial and error process is not easy and requires some work and patients, but is important in the "learning"; but always remember you are an individual and no one is exactly alike.

Read all you can about olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, stonelifting, "bodybuilding" (in the physical culture sense), etc. Look past the,as Fred pointed out, "X's and O's" of the workout and read about the work ethic, dedication, desire, and attention to detail that these men have. Than apply "that" to your training or "regurgitate" "it" the next time you are asked a question.

More often than not its the "mindset" or attitude during the workout that leads to progress, not the "specifics". That is something I "learned by doing."

[Steve Weiner]

As you train (especially if you are a student of the game) you become more mature with your approach, and become your "own man." It is natural to ask questions and imitate others or their workouts, especially in the beginning; but as you gain "experience" hopefully you have discovered what works and what does'nt; what is practical and what's not; and what has "value" and what doesn't (for you). This trial and error process is not easy and requires some work and patients, but is important in the "learning"; but always remember you are an individual and no one is exactly alike.

Read all you can about olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, stonelifting, "bodybuilding" (in the physical culture sense), etc. Look past the,as Fred pointed out, "X's and O's" of the workout and read about the work ethic, dedication, desire, and attention to detail that these men have. Than apply "that" to your training or "regurgitate" "it" the next time you are asked a question.

More often than not its the "mindset" or attitude during the workout that leads to progress, not the "specifics". That is something I "learned by doing."

This seems contradictory to me. How do become "your own man" by "regurgitating" "it"? Please explain.

How will simply reading about another person's work ethic make another person work harder? If I wrote about one of my training sessions, will that make you work harder? I doubt it. As it is said - you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink, so please explain how this phenomena works as well.

It looks like my opinions and points of view are different than yours, therefore I want to see what you have to say, citing specific examples of course, to support your opinions.

Thanks in advance for your time.

[Doug Scott]

Steve,

Being your "own man" in referring to what you do with what you have learned from others (applied to your personal workout). Fred's original post was discussing those who simply "follow the learder". If an "expert" says it, it must be true and they follow the principles "blindly" and regurgitate it (what the "expert" said) to those who ask, or don't ask in some cases without completly understading it

I enjoy training and reading about it. I am currently reading Brooks KubiK's book "Gray Hair Black Iron" Although, I do not agree with everything he has said I enjoy his passion, dedication, and commitment to "hard training" So, when I read about his perscribed workouts I look past the sets, reps, and exercises and look at the "mindset" he has (relayed through his writing) towards the workout. So, when I say "regurgitate it" I am referring to this underlying (often hidden) concept or work hard, stay committed, strive for improvement, focus... That transends exercises,sets or reps and is the root of productive training.

[Steve Weiner]

Steve,

Being your "own man" in referring to what you do with what you have learned from others (applied to your personal workout). Fred's original post was discussing those who simply "follow the learder". If an "expert" says it, it must be true and they follow the principles "blindly" and regurgitate it (what the "expert" said) to those who ask, or don't ask in some cases without completly understading it

I enjoy training and reading about it. I am currently reading Brooks KubiK's book "Gray Hair Black Iron" Although, I do not agree with everything he has said I enjoy his passion, dedication, and commitment to "hard training" So, when I read about his perscribed workouts I look past the sets, reps, and exercises and look at the "mindset" he has (relayed through his writing) towards the workout. So, when I say "regurgitate it" I am referring to this underlying (often hidden) concept or work hard, stay committed, strive for improvement, focus... That transends exercises,sets or reps and is the root of productive training.

Doug,

You must be on a vastly different mental plane than I am, because no matter how many times I read your response (and other posts/responses of yours for that matter), it does not make any sense to me. This response in particular seems quite contradictory to me. That is how I see it. Maybe others get what you are trying to say, but I do not.

Like the "gurus" that have been oft criticized here, it sounds to me like you are complicating something that in the end is quite simple. However, realizing how simple it all is does take time and wisdom to understand. That is what I have learned.

PS- You did not address the work ethic portion of my post.