Nothing Matters, Lebron Can’t Squat

Here’s the problem with using high performers as a justification for training practices. There’s almost always going to be someone with better results using worse processes along the way. If Usain Bolt crushed McDonald’s, would that mean best nutrition practices don’t matter? How many NFL players that squat above parallel would it take for you to miss the same standard?

Usain bolt is both ripped and far more physically capable than you or I, so what should we eat? If every NFL player is stronger than me, shouldn’t I start squatting above parallel?

Best training practices are by definition best, but we cannot use specific ends to justify the means. The most objective way to evaluate a process is through relative analysis. We need to know what results Training Plan A and Training Plan B would be available for a singular athlete. We cannot use the results of one athlete out performing another as a justification of her training program.

One might say Lebron James is the best athlete on the planet and therefore his training is best. Rather, we’d have to wonder if Lebron James could be better if he trained better. After all, here’s a video of Lebron squatting. That’s a Hall of Fame squat, right?

Nope. 

Logan Gelbrich

@functionalcoach