Many guys just getting into bodybuilding or strength training often find themselves in a mad love affair with the bench press.  I have witnessed many of my peers develop a sudden interest in being able to impress everyone (especially the other guys) with how much they bench. I will admit, at one point, I was obsessed with the bench press but I never compromised my other lifts due to this stubborn, lustful infatuation.  Naturally, I didn’t have a choice as I was introduced to strength training as a result of being involved in athletics.  Coach said “you WILL do rows and deadlifts or you will get the hell out of my facility!”

The main point I want to bring to your attention today is the importance of training the non-mirror muscles and in this part we will be discussing vanity.  So many young guys develop this grandiose obsession with building a huge chest and a big bench that they often neglect their back, shoulders, traps and lower body altogether.  There is a fundamental flaw in this approach to training.  You can only go so long and get so strong before you run into a myriad of problems. [Read more...]