Weight training as a way of improving both health and athletic ability has evolved rapidly in the past 35 years from an unknown and misunderstood activity to its current status as a primary component of physical fitness. Unfortunately, bad training methods based upon dangerous, abusive and extreme practices have lingered in the minds of people over that time period and caused many serious injuries. The equation "No pain-no gain" has caused damage to many a shoulder, back and knee. Indeed, it is just now that the results of stupid and abusive training methods are making themselves known with the number of injuries increasing rapidly.You need to think of each training session as if you are driving a car. Your thought when driving might be focused on arriving safely, or it might be focused on getting to your destination quickly. If focused on the speed of travel, you are thinking of an arbitrary number of minutes as a goal. If so, then you must take the risk of driving fast, perhaps too fast for a safe trip.The same example applies to your training. To avoid injury, you must always keep in mind the risks associated with training and avoid them. What are the risks? It could be damage to your body with its corresponding effects on your life. Eternal pain. Major and expensive surgery. Disability. The list goes on and none of it is good.How Much Can You Control? sets forth a method of thinking about training that is designed to provide a safe yet effective means of improvement as a lifetime activity. If you choose or are encouraged to take your training efforts to an extreme, you are abusing your body more than benefitting your body. Failure to acknowledge that risk by using a moderate and safe method of training can only lead to injury, if not now, then in the future.Weight training is a great tool for fitness, and it can and should be a lifetime activity. Your goal must be summarized by the following: Train SafelyEat WiselyRestContinue ForeverHow Much Can You Control? provides common sense advice on how to train safely and effectively. Injury causes pain and pain hurts. Use the ideas in this book to make weight training a lifetime, injury-free fitness activity.
About the Author: Bob Hoyle began weight training in 1966. He graduated from Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1975 with a degree in Biology. While at Harvard he wrestled and worked as a weight training instructor for the Harvard Department of Athletics. After graduating Bob decided to use his knowledge of weight training to benefit high school athletes. He taught high school biology and coached weightlifting, football and wrestling. In his last year of coaching, his weightlifting team placed 4th in the Florida State High School Championships, and he also had one state champion lifter. Bob competed in bodybuilding and powerlifting contests from 1971-1978. A shoulder injury forced him to give up those sports. He graduated from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio in 1986, and practices law in Bradenton, Florida. Bob published three articles in Iron Man Magazine: "How Much Can You Control," "A Basic Building Exercise," and "Try Parallel Bar Dips for Upper Body Development." Bob lives in Bradenton, Florida, where he enjoys the relaxed Florida lifestyle.