01/16/2026
Very good man
Lee Haney reflected on the philosophy of the Arnold-era bodybuilders, where training emphasized the mind–muscle connection over chasing extreme weights. For Haney and peers like Frank Zane and Robbie Robinson, the goal was to feel the muscle working, not simply move the heaviest load possible.
Haney warned that abandoning this approach led many athletes to injury. He pointed to Dorian Yates, whose ultra-heavy training contributed to major injuries, and Ronnie Coleman, whose record-tying career came with multiple surgeries after years of extreme squatting. While exceptions like Franco Columbu could tolerate massive poundages due to body structure, Haney’s message was clear: if you’re not a powerlifter, you don’t need to train like one.