As fun as it is to slap a bunch of plates on the bar and see how strong you really are, there are occasions when doing so is Very Stupid.
Behold some examples:
* You’ve got pain in one or more joints or muscles (even those not directly involved in the lift you’re looking to max out in). Yes, that means you shouldn’t shoot for a max squat if, say, your shoulder is acting up because even though it’s not a “prime mover” damage to ANY joint or muscle will mess with your biomechanics – something you absolutely do not want happening when relatively big weights are on the bar.
* You are fat. See my previous point about biomechanics, but also if you are on the porky side, your health, self-esteem, and respectability demand you devote all of your efforts towards getting the excess blubber off.
* Your command of the lifts you want to set a max in is shaky. If that’s the case, you’re far better off putting in a lot of time training with relatively light loads in the 8-12ish rep range (probably supplemented by bodyweight equivalents, if applicable) to truly master the movement before you start piling on the weight.
* You’re not interested in lifting heavy. Believe it or not, this is a fine attitude to have. Actually, I think a lot of people would be better off if they had it instead of believing they “must” train down in the 1-5 rep range because some nugget on the internet said it’s pointless to do anything else.
But if none of the above apply you’re probably OK to go chasing heftier loads, provided you do so with care and patience.
Anyway.
Can’t think of a clever segue into flogging Phil Tyreman Letter subscriptions because I wrote this email with selling something else in mind, so I’ll just say this:
If you want new tools for your training toolbox thundering through your letterbox in a brown cardboard box every single month, to get you out of whatever training-related rut you’ve found yourself stuck in and to keep you accountable, you should give my Real Paper newsletter a shot.
There’s literally no risk because you’ve a full 30 days to examine your first newsletter and the book you’ll get upon joining, and judge the quality for yourself before committing. (If you’re not happy for any reason or no reason, just cancel within that window, tell me you want your cash back, and I’ll issue a swift refund.)
Here is what to do now if you would like to give this a try:
1) Visit the below linked page and read it carefully,
2) Read the Terms and Conditions page that follows carefully as well,
3) Subscribe,
4) Wait patiently for your copy of Lift (should be with you within a week, Royal Mail willing) and your first newsletter (will be the September 2025 issue now).
Behold step one:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/information/
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman