Today, at the gym, I saw a young 17 - 20 year old kid attempt to chest press 200 lbs with dumbbells. I watched each dumbbell come within centimeters of his face while he persisted in improperly doing repetitions consisting of quarter range of motion, and horrible arm position. Worse, he really had no control of his movement. I was trying to mind my own workout, and yet when I saw this, I literally froze in my tracks to prepare for the 911 call. Little does this kid know that over the past eight years I have seen the future through men in their sixties and up. Men coping with injuries sustained while doing "something stupid" when in high school or college. Do they regret it? Hell yes!
Ego is a dangerous thing in the weight room, and if not controlled, can lead to some dark places. Acute injuries can become chronic, and other injuries will mean with 100% certainty that a surgical fix is required. It killed me to see this kid putting himself in harm's way, when he could have achieved whatever he intended with a max of 100 lbs. More isn't always better, and it is in the overdoing where trouble awaits. Guys, take note.
The successful health and exercise enthusiasts I know always take reasonable and cautious approaches. No matter the discipline, there should be a safe approach to it. Logically, keeping things safe means one gets to keep participating in such activities. Time off to heal an injury or to recover from surgery does not yield benefits. In fact, it usually leads to a deconditioned state and weight gain.
If your desire to push beyond reasonable feels like a necessity, you need to consider the future. Stop inviting setbacks and problems to your health! The bodies we have today are going to be the same ones we have in our eighties. Try to remember that today is the very best things will be. In other words, with age and gradual decline in physical ability, our bodies "right now" are the very best case scenario. Challenge your body appropriately, and not through ego.
