There have been many, many, years of folks doing squats, cleans, deadlifts, presses, benches. Simply put, you can get strong as all get out with those exercises.
When faced with a new program or training idea, the trainee must look at some facts such as- where is the evidence that this program actually gets one stronger?
Listen , there are plenty of fun exercises out there: flipping tires, hitting the tire with a sledgehammer, carrying sandbags here and there, throwing medballs. They look cool as hell when put on a highlight video with some awesome music and people cheering like you set he world on fire. Fun. Taxing. But will it get you strong? Nope. They should be used as an adjunct to the basics, not exclusive to a program.
Listen, one has only so much time to get things done in a training session. Whether you are a high school athlete, a college or pro athlete, or just a guy getting in shape, your time is limited. Why not focus on the exercises that give you the most bang for your buck? Why not adhere to a program that emphasizes the proven exercises that the strongest athletes in the world, the biggest athletes, the athletes whose livelihood depends on strength have used for years to achieve results?
I know the answer, why the focus is on funky stuff. And you do too. Its because those exercises are HARD, and can be uncomfortable, and your ears may ring and you may feel light headed and in the end... well in the end, you will get strong if you have any fortitude at all.
And then when you are done with the big, basic, badass exercises, feel free to hit a tire with a sledgehammer. Knock yourself out. Fun!
