HARD CORE VS. MULLETS by Eric Burkhardt Strength Coach UC-Irvine Subject: Re: looking hard core From: "Eric Burkhardt" Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 07:32:58 -0800 I don't know of any serious "Iron gamer" who would consider the lateral raise a "hard core" exercise no matter how much weight is being used. Obviously someone who could do 20 reps at 40lbs would be pretty strong. I have seen pictures of Bill Kazmeir doing them with 100lb dumbbells. I don't care how much someone can lateral raise, arm curl or triceps kickback, if they ain't doing heavy squats, deadlifts or Olympic lifts as part of their program, they still ain't HARD CORE. You, me and everyone on this list knows good and well (whether they want to admit it or not) that there are two basic types of people who train with weights. For convenience sake, let's call them "Pretenders" and "Hard Cores". Those who've been around the Iron Game a while might also refer to the "Pretenders" as "Mullets" and the "Hard Cores" as just plain strength/power athletes. Each group is described below: Pretenders or Mullets.... * Comprise anywhere from 98 - 99.99% of the total membership population of your typical "fitness center" type gym. * Workouts are comprised almost if not entirely of a VERY LARGE collection of single joint and or relatively small muscle mass exercises. * Do few if any of their exercises in a weight bearing position (i.e. they prioritize exercises that can be done sitting or lying down - and as much as you hate to admit it, that does include the bench press folks) * Position themselves in front of a mirror whenever possible when exercising. BTW, This often leads to excessive, unbalanced anterior development. * primary training goals are aesthetically based. * are more concerned with looking strong than being functionally strong. "hard core" or true strength/power athletes.... * try not to workout in places with a lot of chrome and mirrors. * prioritize free standing, "total body" exercises with heavily loaded barbells. * aren't overly concerned about how they look. * eat mullets for breakfast. * do their mullet exercises at the END of the workout if they do them at all. In conclusion, "mullet" exercises impose significantly less physiological and emotional stress than "hard core" exercises at the same relative intensity but have potential to develop fairly impressive muscularity and strong looking physiques to the untrained eye. This perfect for the individual who wants to look muscular without working too hard. Mullets like to pretend they are training hard which is why the often make loud grunts, and funny faces while doing arm curls and lateral raises!! Even when mullet exercises are performed with maximal weights, they are still much less stressful than "hard core" exercises done with medium weights. Please accept my apology in advance if I offended anybody who thought they were "hard core". Have a Happy Thanksgiving Eric Subject: Mullets vs Hard Cores From: "Bruce Callum" Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 07:18:46 -0800 Eric Burkhardt wrote: >> In conclusion, "mullet" exercises impose significantly less physiological and emotional stress than "hard core" exercises at the same relative intensity but have potential to develop fairly impressive muscularity and strong looking physiques to the untrained eye. This is perfect for the individual who wants to look muscular without working too hard. << Now, I don't pretend to speak for anyone but myself but if I could look muscular without working too hard I'd be delighted. My guess, however, is that the lucky individuals who do less demanding exercises and still look muscular are both young and genetically blessed. I, unfortunately, am neither. After all, I'm probably not unlike the Kevin Spacey character in the recent movie "American Beauty" whose objective in working out was to look good naked. And frankly, one of the reasons I work at becoming functionally stonger is because I know that it's the only way to get larger muscles. There are other reasons, of course, like being able to manage chronic low back pain, and the wish to be able to ski bumps and do lengthy wilderness canoe trips into my 70s. But, frankly, I'd be reluctant to make too much of the distinction between Mullets and Hard Cores. It smacks a little of snobbery and does nothing to reduce the intimidation felt by newcomers. I see nothing superior about being functionally strong as opposed to looking good naked. After all, unless you are in competition, there is little need for strength in excess of that required to take out the garbage each week. If a Mullet is not gifted genetically, he or she will eventually note the lack of progress and either give up entirely or, like many of us, seek out information sources like this list and gravitate to more hard core routines. Moreover, if the percentage of Mullets in gyms really is as high as you say, then they should be treated with the greatest deference. Clearly, they are paying the freight at the gym. By the way, I have always thought that a mullet was an edible sea fish. Cheers, Bruce