Ignore the use of isokinetic (read: useless) equipment. Ignore Dolph Lundgren’s atrocious form (especially on those power cleans – yuk). Ignore the behind-neck pullups (ouch).
What’s truly interesting about this montage is this:
While both men are using vastly different methods and equipment (can snow be considered “equipment?”), both have two common things with their training methodology:
1. High levels of effort – On whatever implement/exercise each man is performing or using, they are both being pushed to their momentary limit (to expand that limit, of course, being what exercise is all about).
2. High levels of motivation – Both men are driven to push harder and harder in their training, because they each have one outcome and one outcome alone fixed in their heads – a burning desire to come out victorious (since, in this bout, there is a real likelihood that victorious = alive). That sounds like a pretty good motivator to me.
Because both men have both these key elements firmly entrenched in their training, they both arrive at the fight in their respective top condition, ready to fight for their lives (Spoiler Alert: although one could argue that Rocky wins because he has more will to survive than Drago).
Watching the Rocky montage reminds me of all the in-fighting that occurs within the exercise and fitness industry: “Sports-specific? No, high intensity! No way – Westside Barbell all the way! Anyone say weightlifting?”
In the end, it all comes down to the same thing – a truly determined individual willing to work to a high level of effort consistently enough to reap the (major league) benefits of their exercise effort. Of course, that’s not to say that all’s fair in love and exercise programs, but if the program is scientifically-based and proven in practical application (has a track record), then there’s high likelihood a motivated individual will succeed on it.
In other words, your program doesn’t have to be “perfect” (or even near perfect) to get you great results – but your level of motivation better damn well be.
An aside: Just for comparison’s sake, Rocky IV was released in 1985 – more than 20 years ago. And yet, you’re as likely to see Drago’s scientific training in the research rooms of UConn today as you are to see Rocky’s workout being performed by Chuck Liddell down at The Pit. Those cliches ring truer nowadays more than ever: History repeats itself; and there’s nothing new under the sun.
Filed under: Exercise Science, The Mental Game
