I wanted to start a thread about things that you really can't prove, but absolutely believe. This thread will contain no scientific evidence. We can debate through anecdotal evidence all we want, but lets leave the studies to the scientists.

A good example is when X said something along the lines of people with big arms with relatively small forearms are usually on gear, because it takes a certain level of whole arm strength to be able to curl a significant amount of weight. Don't quote me on that, but I believe that was the gist of it.

I'll start. I firmly believe that whatever type of protein you consume, it really doesn't matter. Complete, incomplete, I don't think it really makes any difference.

Also, vegetables are completely overrated. I can probably count on 1 hand the number of times I've eaten vegetables that aren't potatoes..

1. I think maybe 1% of the people who think they've 'overtrained' actually are. People don't give their bodies a chance to adapt to an unusually high stress and grow bigger/stronger before they run screaming in the other direction.

2. I think people should train to failure more often if their primary goal is hypertrophy.

3. I think back squats suck for tall lifters. I don't even do them anymore, and have replaced them entirely with front squats, and my leg development has never been better.

4. I think anyone who trains hard needs at least 2g/protein per lbs. bodyweight, even if you're over 200lbs.

5. I think a sausage and pepperoni pizza is the greatest food on earth for gaining mass.

1) i think overtrain exist but it's rare as an honest politician

2) i think very high volume is the best for small muscolar group

I don't know of any scientific studies that prove this, but I guess that's the point of the thread. lol

Listen to the internet too much and your training will suffer.

Unless there's an injury involved, single leg work is pointless until two legged squats and deadlifts are perfected. How in the world are you supposed to do a movement on one leg if you can't do it right on two?

Macronutrient breakdown shouldnt be as exact as the majority of people make it. For someone under 200lb there is no point trying to limit carb intake if you want to grow.

The overtraining point is a good one. In powerlifting terms there seems to almost be a fear of pulling in some circles. I dont know if this is due to the relative lack of deadlifting done at Westside, but deadlifting every week will not kill anyone!

Good thread. Keep 'em coming.

Powerlifting:

I believe speed deadlifts are pointless, whereas speed squats do wonders for both your squat and your deadlift.

I believe eating a huge pasta dinner the night before a meet is much more beneficial than a huge steak dinner.

Lifting in general:

I believe forearms are the best marker of a person who trains hard. It's "easy" to get a big chest or some big guns, but forearms... take forever and a day to develop.

I believe bosu balls have absolutely no place in a weight room. I'd like to see a study confirm this one, though.

Perhaps I should modify that from "weight room" to "serious weight room".

I've got no problems with them being used by the "fitness facility" people. I'm sure they can have real exercises that have real benefit. However, in any situation I've ever seen them the simple "misuse" that you describe is rampant. Moreso than with any other tool, I would reckon. This then begs the question - should an apparatus be removed due to misuse or should the misuse itself be corrected? I'd hate to see the squat rack removed because of people using it to practice their hurdles, so I guess I can see your point of not throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

However, in a serious weight room, designed to move max poundages, I fail to see how unstable surface training has a place. Unless of course, I am training for a meet in California, where there is bound to be an earthquake.

Cardio is not done enough by people who are in size gain mode.

I can't PROVE it but I am sold the person who eats 4000 calories a day will not be as lean or big as the person who eats 4500 calories a day but does 45 minutes on the treadmill 3-4 times a week first thing in the morning come 6+ months down the road.