Bodybuilding isn't always the answer

I was in the gym yesterday at my school, and I noticed a guy that I'd talked to in there a few times. I see him doing Delt Raises, and Rear Delt Raises, and stuff like that. I think to myself, "isn't he going into the ROTC?" Well the answer is yes, and I knew that because when we'd met he told me. So I look at his workout, and guess what: it was your basic bodybuilding split, with 3 sets of 8-12 for every exercise.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not against bodybuilding, I in fact am a Powerbodybuilder (Powerlifting with the added bonus of bodybuilding). I completely understand the desire to want to get bigger, and look better, and encourage that desire in others. My problem comes with the fact that this guy is preparing to enter into a physically demanding functional arena, and he's not really getting any functional strength.

The Principle of Specificity states that in order to advance in a certain function (or sport) you must train same, or similar. For example: you don't have to spend all your time throwing a baseball to throw a baseball better, but you should be throwing some. What this guy needs is to train is max strength, his strength-endurance, and his endurance. If he were to focus his efforts on increasing those, he'd likely be way ahead of the game when he starts his ROTC program.

Now, he'd gotten the program he was doing from a friend who is a personal trainer. Again, I'm not knocking on PT's, I am in the process of becoming one myself. My problem is that sometimes (and this may not be the case here, but definitely is with some other Trainers) people get so wrapped up with what they do, and their way of doing things, that they fail to realize that what they do doesn't work for everyone. Doing a 4-day bodybuilding split with 3 sets of 10 for everything isn't the answer for everyone. Now I will say that it is most likely better than nothing, but not optimal.

What we need to do is look at the goals, and work backwards from there. If someone is wanting to get bigger and leaner, bodybuilding can work great. If someone is going into the military, or law enforcement, the big bulky muscles that aren't as strong as they could be may just get in the way. People need to adhere to the Principle of Specificity and train for what they want to do, not just train the way someone else trains.

God Bless