Bill DeSimone & Congruent Exercise

[smehallow]

After a search of the forums came up empty, I would like to read everyone's thoughts of Bill DeSimone's Congruent Exercise/Moment Arm Exercise philosophy. Bill emphasizes preserving joint longevity (specifically the vertebral column) by limiting training to exercises that do not cause undue stress on connective tissue.

I've watched videos of his presentations and read some of his articles (though not the books) and can sense, in principle, his critique of heavy barbell training.

While I do not give other strength/fitness paradigms much thought, in light of my last 18 months reading, absorbing and implementing the Starting Strength philosophy, Bill's material and approach slightly raised my interest.

Thank you for your responses.

[Sean Herbison]

From my vast research (i.e. five minutes on Google), apparently he says not to squat or deadlift heavy. So you're probably not going to find many people here who are familiar with his work, and zero people who agree with him.

[John Hanley]

From my vast research (i.e. five minutes on Google), apparently he says not to squat or deadlift heavy. So you're probably not going to find many people here who are familiar with his work, and zero people who agree with him.

Heavy squats and deads necessarily lead to compromised joint function and longevity.

This enormous claim is easy to prove via 1) videos of ed coan blowing his knee out & 2) my uncle (who's an ortho) said so & 3) if you really, really understand connective tissue you just know (self-evident).

[Eric K]

Heavy squats and deads necessarily lead to compromised joint function and longevity.

This enormous claim is easy to prove via 1) videos of ed coan blowing his knee out & 2) my uncle (who's an ortho) said so & 3) if you really, really understand connective tissue you just know (self-evident).

We all know that tissues achieve and maintain the highest robustness and function only when they are maximally insulated from any and all stress. It's why astronauts are always so much stronger after returning from long periods aboard the space station.

[John Hanley]

We all know that tissues achieve and maintain the highest robustness and function only when they are maximally insulated from any and all stress. It's why astronauts are always so much stronger after returning from long periods aboard the space station.

You ever seen an MRI of Stephen Hawkings left knee?

I have.

Never seen such pristine connective tissue.

[Christopher Anderson]

You ever seen an MRI of Stephen Hawkings left knee?

I have.

Never seen such pristine connective tissue.

I laughed way more than I should have at this.

[Tom K]

I laughed way more than I should have at this.

+1

[Monkey]

Bill emphasizes preserving joint longevity (specifically the vertebral column) by limiting training to exercises that do not cause undue stress on connective tissue.

Flame bait, but I'll bite.

This flies in the face of the theory of "stress / recovery / adaptation".

Also, Arnold Schwarzenegger is 69 and his back is fine. Louie Simmons is about 68 and he can still squat 500+ pounds and deadlift 500+ pounds. Where are all the old lifters with the worn out backs?

[pshotsb17]

Flame bait, but I'll bite.

This flies in the face of the theory of "stress / recovery / adaptation".

Also, Arnold Schwarzenegger is 69 and his back is fine. Louie Simmons is about 68 and he can still squat 500+ pounds and deadlift 500+ pounds. Where are all the old lifters with the worn out backs?

Not to hijack this, but I am more interested in the question of heart longetivity. BB training at heavy weights puts your heart under immense pressure (literally), and I wonder if it shortens our heart's lifespans vs an average exercise Joe.

[Meshuggah]

Not to hijack this, but I am more interested in the question of heart longetivity. BB training at heavy weights puts your heart under immense pressure (literally), and I wonder if it shortens our heart's lifespans vs an average exercise Joe.

I believe that years of heavy lifting will shorten my life, but my goal is not a long life, my goal is to be as strong as I can possibly be while I'm on this earth.
Falling over dead a minute or two after a new Deadlift PR would be a great way to go out for me.