Brilliant or stupid?

[TempestTenor]

Now this is specialization to the extreme.

http://rorr.im/digg.com/other_sports/ho ... huge_pics/

[holvoetn]

In my personal view:

I think this is stupid as in 'I would NEVER do that' but if he's happy with it, so be it.

[chris88]

If he likes it fine but besides armwrestling there isn't really much use of that big arm. And since he got only one that big it doesn't look good either...

[Wellhairedbeast]

Looks ridiculous (theres no reason why he can't train both sides) and will do little for his overall health - as Rippetoe quoted from Heinlein "specialisation is for insects".

Full quote here:

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

-Robert A. Heinlein

Ok hes a great arm wrestler but thats it, many strongmen would be very useful and powerful in a variety of roles. Think of olympic lifters who have an immense carry over into other sports. If you must specialize it should at least be useful in my opinion - have one insanely strong forearm is not going to help keep his heart fit etc etc...

[Rugger]

Ok hes a great arm wrestler but thats it, many strongmen would be very useful and powerful in a variety of roles. Think of olympic lifters who have an immense carry over into other sports. If you must specialize it should at least be useful in my opinion - have one insanely strong forearm is not going to help keep his heart fit etc etc...

I think the point was so that he could wrestle in lower weight classes with a relatively huge and strong arm. If he's like most competitive athletes, he probably doesn't have a huge regard for his health beyond allowing him to compete in his chosen specialization. I think it's cool.

[muddy]

Reminds me it's crab season - time to pick up a few for dinner.

[Wellhairedbeast]

Ok hes a great arm wrestler but thats it, many strongmen would be very useful and powerful in a variety of roles. Think of olympic lifters who have an immense carry over into other sports. If you must specialize it should at least be useful in my opinion - have one insanely strong forearm is not going to help keep his heart fit etc etc...

I think the point was so that he could wrestle in lower weight classes with a relatively huge and strong arm. If he's like most competitive athletes, he probably doesn't have a huge regard for his health beyond allowing him to compete in his chosen specialization. I think it's cool.

Actually thats a good point about the weight classes, and thinking about it does show a lot of dedication. Each to his own i guess.

[bkklift]

What surprises me is how unaffected the rest of his body is. Does this call an end to the idea of squatting will increase the size of your arms...?

*lays trap*
*casually walks out of thread*

[muddy]

*lays trap*

A crab trap?

[bkklift]

A crab trap?

Touché monsieur Muddy, touché.

[Dada]

I think it looks stupid but if both arms were like that and he had a sailor suit on and a can of spinach....

[RobCosimo]

I think it's awesome. Hardly anyone gets to be really good at something, and that's the kind of dedication it takes. Olympic lifting might have a great carry over to other things, but Olympic lifters don't do it for that reason - they do it to win medals.

[c2po]

First I thought it was weird, but having thought about it I think it is quite cool. It is so easy to get mirror blind and not notice the changes you have made when you look at yourself each day, this guy can directly compare his before and after without resorting to the photo album.

Many people see a strong person and just think they have good genes and are naturally built that way. They don't realise the amount of effort that person has probably put in. It is clear how much this guy has worked for that arm, as the rest of his body is still his natural build. I find it quite inspiring!

[wobbles]

I have to admit my first instinct was "synthol", but some further research showed he's got legitimate strength in that arm, so it's not just filled with oil. Random example of what synthol does: http://realclearfit.files.wordpress.com ... nthol3.jpg

It would be interesting to find out exactly what kind of training he does, because I've always believed the central nervous system doesn't allow for such a massive discprenacy in limb size and strength. He probably does a lot of one armed chinups?