Dr. Clay Hyght's 12 Truths

Dr. Clay Hyght, a competitive bodybuilder and NPC Judge for 16 years, wrote a great article for T-Nation titled “12 Truths About Bodybuilding Training.” Here’s the rundown:

1) Big weights don't necessarily equal big muscles
2) Carving in striations? Not!
3) Strength is very lift specific
4) The bench press does not build big pecs!
5) Deadlifts do build a big back
6) Squats are king for thigh mass
7) Don't Always Train to Failure
8) Don't have Training ADD
9) Ditch Total Body Training
10) Consider Stretching Part of Training
11) Try Low-Frequency Training
12) Feeling the muscle work is of utmost importance

I have been guilty of No. 8 on the list:

8) Don't have Training ADD
I'll admit it. I have a severe case of Training Attention Deficit Disorder. How many times have you started a new program only to ditch it for yet another program after only two or three weeks? If you're like me, it's fun to just go to the gym and do whatever you feel like that day. However, there's a serious downside to that.

By switching programs and exercises all the time, you don't give your body enough time to reap the benefits of your current program or exercises. For instance, if you decide to do H.I.T. for three months, then do it for three months! Don't be an idiot and ditch it after five weeks because you're bored and wanna do Advanced German Volume Training and a unique exercise you saw Christian Thibaudeau do. Save it for when you've completed your current program.

To appease your inner ADD child, occasionally do 8 or 10 weeks of fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants training. Just don't turn that eight weeks into eight months or you'll end up spinning your wheels.

It's worth reading the list in its entiriety: 12 Truths About Bodybuilding Training