Harry Paschall
The Peddler of Malicious Misrepresentation

by Joseph Weider, Trainer Of The Champions, World's Leading Bodybuilding Authority

Herein we completely refute Paschall's "coaxing muscle" ballyhoo.

Throughout the years, the "Weider" publications have acted as the vanguard for the muscle building and weight lifting sport we all love so well. We have always forcefully guarded and protected the honor of our sport and our mighty champions. With a fanatical zeal and vigilance we have constantly waged a war against all adverse influences which might undermine the honored structures of weight training or cast disrepute upon our admired stars.

We have prided ourselves in being "part and parcel" of every bodybuilder and lifter. Their struggles are our own, while their lust for knowledge has become our personal battle. Those who may attempt to attack and degrade our sport, find in us the ready and eager champions of justice, always there to guard the honor and dignity of weight training.

As such, besides our important function of disseminating vital, proved and modern weight training instruction, at times it becomes our unfortunate lot, to take exception to certain misrepresentations fostered upon the weight training world, from within our sport itself. We are firm believers of freedom of opinion, with the pages of out publications completely open to the sincere beliefs of others. This is stimulating to the progress of the sport. However, when certain fakers attempt to exploit readers and followers of our principles and those of other sincere authorities by presenting gross untruths, we MUST focus the revealing searchlight of truth and knowledge upon them, showing them up for what they are in the cold light of scientific fact.

Why certain individuals attempt to reduce the vigorous sport of weight training to senile decadency, to sink it into the mire of the dark ages, after we have all fought so hard to advance to unprecedented heights of glory, we do not know. How anyone can DARE to attack our present day modern methods which have built the greatest physique champions in the history of the world in an attempt to drag us back to the old fashioned "hit and miss" ideas of bodybuilding, is hard to understand.

Still, while there is no rational explanation for these attacks, they do happen. When they do, we are forced as the protectors of our sport to take time away from our CONSTRUCTIVE endeavors, and to devote space in our publication which would be better spent in CONSTRUCTIVE information, so that we can expose these individuals. This we must do before harm is done to our beginners and other students of bodybuilding who may lack the judgment and experience to recognize these untruths without our help.

There is such an instance of gross misrepresentation which has come to our attention at this time. Even though we would prefer NOT to engage in criticism of this sort for the dignity of our sport, we feel that we must, for the benefit of all readers.

The case on hand, concerns an article which recently appeared in Peary Rader's magazine, in a featured position, by Harry Paschall, entitled "The Principles Of Progression". In it, Paschall, for reasons perhaps best known to himself alone, presents such a distorted view of the scientific principles of bodybuilding, that an immediate rebuttal must be made at this time.

When reviewing it, we felt for a moment that we had been suddenly thrown back 25 to 50 years, back to the medieval days of weight training when Calvert, Berry and other early educators were just beginning to probe the surfaces of the science. The article by Paschall, if left unanswered could push back the progress of weight training at least 20 years and destroy all the important advancements made through our own research, prove conclusively first by the sweat and toil of our followers, and then by the realization of their ultimate goals of being crowned CHAMPIONS!

In the event that our readers haven't read his article, the gist of it is that the double progression system as advised by Calvert some 40 years ago, is still one of the BEST ways to train. The principle behind this old fashioned method is to start your exercise program with a certain weight, and to perform a specific number of repetitions, generally 5. Then you stick to this fixed weight and repetition schedule for two work-outs, after which you add one repetition. You continue to add one repetition every third workout until you reach the maximum number advocated, about 10. At that time, you drop the number, of repetitions to the minimum number again, add a few pounds, and once again start the monotonous climb, adding one repetition to each exercise every third workout until the maximum is hit once more and some weight can again be added. (Editor's note: while the Calvert methods form the basis of his advice, even Paschall in this same article admits performing "sets" in his present training.)

In this manner, which Paschall calls "coaxing" the muscles to grow, is found the best and surest means of bodybuilding, according to his deductions. The mere fact that he also urges the bodybuilder to take a week's layoff every six weeks should be proof enough to the intelligent readers, that such a method induces sticking points in training, promoting a static, monotonous training approach, which cannot develop maximum muscularity. In a sense, the bodybuilder who adheres to such a regime, finds himself reduced to serfdom, a slave of bookkeeping records as he labors through mountains of figures to determine the weight to use and repetitions to follow in any particular work-out. No recognition is given to the fact that bodybuilders as individuals are subject to varying degrees of training energy and power which is taken into consideration in modern training, discounted entirely in this primitive phase.

While there is much more to his article which we will get to later, we wish at this time to point out that as proof of his observations that the more modern set series, super sets, cheating and flushing methods of training are harmful, DESPITE the fact that they are approved and used by every champion bodybuilder, Paschall says, "It is good to know that there is an easier and more effective way to build a perfect body; the methods used by John Grimek and Eugen Sandow, whose physiques still stand head and shoulders above any of the torture school of bodybuilders. This is the method of "coaxing" as opposed to "forcing" and it gives greater shapeliness as well as greater health."

We have long known that Paschall was the least informed of all the present day writers. The parade of bodybuilding progress has indeed passed him up. In fact, it is as though he has just recently emerged from a lost week-end, totally ignorant of the modern truths about training, However, the offense is MORE SERIOUS than this. Ignorance can be tolerated. A man who makes a misstatement, though lacking in knowledge, would do better in checking his facts first, we agree, but at least he can be, forgiven. But -- a person who PURPOSELY falsifies fact, and confuses an issue merely to place himself on a pedestal of importance, is a vicious, unscrupulous character. He MUST be shown up at once.

Since Paschall speaks with authority about Sandow and Grimek, using them as the heroes of the system of training he advocates, based on Calvert's 1910 obsolete methods, let us now examine the TRUTH about their training.

First, did Sandow follow the "coaxing" double progression method? In his book, "Sandow's System Of Physical Training," he arrives at this conclusion. "My idea is that boys of from 10-12 should have a 3 pound dumbbells; -- from 12-15, 4 lb, -- and from 15 upwards, I consider 5 lb. dumbbells quite sufficient for anyone." These were Sandow's words at that time!

Still, in this same book, in an earlier chapter, when reprinting an interview he had with a reporter who asked Sandow what his best one arm lift was, Sandow takes pride in this reply. "Over 300 pounds. I lift it from the ground to the head, then to full length of my arm!" The real truth came out, when Earle Liederman visited Sandow in London, many years ago, At that time, Sandow took Earle to his gym, pointed to the heavy dumbbells and barbells on the floor, saying. . . "Mr, Liederman, this is the only way that real strength and development can be obtained."

So you see, even the great Sandow was given to exploitation and untruths, to gain his own commercial end. He KNEW that heavy weights were the only way that big muscles and great strength could be developed, yet he advocated and offered light weights for sale as being "His System!"

Throughout the years, there have been others who follow this pattern, and we have made it our business to blast such exploitation, constantly teaching the TRUTHS of bodybuilding, the real methods which build champions. So at the outset, Paschall's first example of. "coaxing methods" is proven a fraud, still to Paschall, he is a sterling example to follow.

A similar untruth is uncovered when examining the training programs of John Grimek. We quote from page 47, June 1951 Your Physique. Gordon Venables, former editor of SXH magazine and close associate of Grimek for many years, has this to say when referring to Grimek's training in 1942. "Grimek's training now took on a form of intense specialization. He curled, curled and curled until his already huge biceps reached the incredible mark of 18 inches."

From page 35, July YP of that same year, we again quote Venables, "When John Grimek decided to enter the Mr. USA contest he went through an intense specialization of sets. . ." Another section of this same article. "John trained every day in the week from 4 PM to 6 PM and on Saturdays from 2:30 PM to 5 PM. This was bodybuilding carried to the extreme." Now for a final quote: "The fact that he won (Grimek) the Mr. USA contest with a physique far more phenomenal than when he twice won the Mr. America title attests that he thrived on such a program."

From the above it can be seen that both these giants of strength and development, Sandow and Grimek, did use heavy weights to FORCE muscular development. There is nothing of a coaxing nature in training when lifting 300 pounds above head with one hand as Sandow claimed, or training every day in the week, as Grimek did, and which was personally seen by his former associate Gordon Venables. Naturally, Sandow did not use sets as we know them today, but he did train hard with heavy weights. Grimek definitely DID use sets during the later years of his training at least, and his developmental results were better than ever before.

It now becomes evident just how much belief can be placed on ANY of Paschall's statements. Only one of two conclusions are possible in connection with Grimek's, training. Either Paschall NEVER SAW a work-out that Grimek took, and therefore is unqualified to comment on same, or else he DID see Grimek using sets, training every day hard, sweating and straining, and in an attempt to gain some momentary importance for himself Paschall purposely has ignored this, distorting the facts.

In his further arguments against modern training, Paschall has this to say. "This slavish devotion to super-duper sets can result in only one thing -- a time when the trainee will become so weary of the whole thing he will give up and disappear forever from the game." Again Paschall, -- "This stuff of forcing reps is pure, unadulterated bunk and is dangerous propaganda fostered by shallow brained writers who haven't been around long enough to know the final answers."

In answer, we wonder how Paschall arrives at these world shaking conclusions? Grimek has been famous and active for 25 years. Horvath, another old time great, continues with his training with a real zeal after a similar period of devotion to weight training. Ross, Theriault and others have been famous for years, certainly in the limelight long enough to prove or disprove the dangers of modern training. Each year they grow more famous and admired because of their steadily improving physiques.

To the contrary view, each day we receive letters from old time bodybuilders who became disgusted years ago with the monotonous, static coaxing methods, and gave up their training as a result. Today, enthused again by our modern ideas, they have taken up the weights again, and collectively they have only one comment . . . "Why didn't we have methods like this years ago? If we had, we would never have given up. We are now making more progress than ever before in our lives!"

If super sets and other modern methods kill ambition, how, can we account for the glorious careers of Ross, Reeves, Stephan, Marks, Robert, Theriault, Park and others who are on the top and who stay there year after year, when each of them use and advocate such training?

However, while objections to modern training methods are completely disproved by the great Weider Champions, who all follow our modern system, our personal experiences in the past, bear relating, to bring out several pertinent points.

We grew up in bodybuilding during the Calvert training ideas, and this was our first mode of training, years ago. To reiterate the principle; the idea was to use a certain weight in an exercise a certain number of repetitions for two work-outs. Then the third work-out, the repetitions were increased by one. After a number such increase the maximum number of repetitions were eventually reached, and a little weight was added to the bar. Then the repetitions were lowered to the original starting number and the entire procedure was repeated, month after month, year after year.

In print, such a system, despite the necessity of keeping elaborate training records, does sound like an easy way to "coax" muscles along. But is it?

The truth of the matter follows: At the start of our training career we were able to use about 40 pounds in most exercises, for the recommended number of repetitions, as advocated by Calvert, and now more recently supported by Paschall. For a while, everything went according to plan; we were able to increase repetitions when the course said we should, and were able to increase poundages at the recommended times as well.

However, as we progressed in our training and advanced in weight and repetitions, we noticed that from work-out to work-out our energy and power varied. Some days, the selected number of repetitions and weight was easy, in fact so easy that we had to control our urge to use more weight or to perform more repetitions. Other days, both the weight and repetitions were too much for us. We had to strain and struggle to squeeze them out. Still, not daring to deviate from our set training pattern, we strained through some work-outs and breezed through others.

In time, the work-outs grew to be more and more of a struggle; we were tired most of the time, lost much of what we had gained from our previous training and were finally forced to take a lay-off to regain our training desire. Though the instructions said that a week's lay-off every 6 weeks was right, somehow we questioned this. At times, while following this method of training we felt worn out and tired after two weeks training, but did not dare to take a lay-off since this would be violating instructions. Other times, when our energy was high, when we hit the 6 week lay-off period, we felt that we were just getting into training stride, and wanted to keep training. Yet, because of instructions, we had to take a lay-off.

In time, this fixed pattern of weights, repetitions, lay-off periods and all the rest of rules in the old bag of obsolete training ideas produced such a sticking point in our training, that our dreams of ever reaching the physique we had in mind seemed completely shattered, while our ambition to become a member of the fabulous 15" arm club of those days was as far off as ever.

It was then that we decided to GO MODERN in training. To train day to day as we felt. To train harder one day, when we felt like it. To take it easier on another day when energy was low and to perform sets, cheating and flushing exercises in our routines.

With this progressive attitude, came the birth of the Weider System, the modern way of training which admits that NO two individuals are the same, and no two work-outs are exactly equal in drive and energy. The old fashioned methods of training discount this truth, while the Weider System takes advantage of it, by permitting everyone exercise freedom, adjusted to their daily capacities, unrestricted by useless controls!

EVERY CHAMPION trains in this way. They all use sets, super sets and advanced modern methods They all adjust their workout to their mood, energy and present desires. Some train 3 times a week, some train every day, some train one day on the upper body, another day on the lower. Sometimes they perform high repetitions with lighter weights, other times lower repetitions with heavy weights. NONE follow a fixed pattern and THEY are the champions. . . the leaders in muscle. And most important of all, they all SHUN the method suggested by Paschall as being a useless waste of time, and an energy robber, the DESTROYER of bodybuilding progress. Instead they look forward to Weider and the Weider modern principles which they follow in their training for bodybuilding glory.

If we are to listen to Paschall again, we hear this warning. "The horrible looking physiques of some of the leading protagonists of this "forced" rep practice is warning enough. Some of them still enter hopefully into Physique Contests, thinking that because they have a lot of lumps they should be prize winners. The straight truth about these bloated tissue torturers is something that they will not like, but it needs telling; they have ruined their physiques for life." Now this takes in a lot of territory. These so called tissue torturers include the cream of the crop of American Manhood. We will let them speak for themselves in the following quoted comments which have appeared in print in the Weider Magazines,

CLARENCE ROSS: "It was not until I changed over from the old fashioned methods of training to the Set System, that I developed my body to any extent, and was able to win the Mr. America title."

ALAN STEPHAN: "Without the set system and other modern bodybuilding methods a 15" upper arm and a 43" chest would still be regarded as amazing physical proportions."

STEVE REEVES: "In training for the Mr. Universe Contest in which I gained 18 pounds in two weeks, I used a lot of sets and trained for hours each day."

JACK DELINGER: "I use flushing, set series and split systems of training. Days when I have more energy I give the exercises ALL I HAVE. Other times I take it easier."

GEORGE EIFERMAN: "The set series of training builds muscle and power fast."

NORMAN MARKS: "Any instructor who does not teach his pupils modern methods of weight training, the set series. cheating, flushing and forced reps styles is doing them a grave injustice by holding back their progress."

GEORGE PAINE: "Many things enter into the making of a good bodybuilding course. There is no fixed pattern that can be followed by all bodybuilders. Their physical type, temperament, living habits and so on must all be considered. No two men can train exactly alike and they must adjust the training to meet with their specific requirements."

REG PARK: "I have always performed sets, super sets, flushing and cheating methods in my training."

ED THERIAULT: "It is impossible to develop maximum muscularity or power when following old fashioned training ideas. Only the Weider System gives you the modern training methods."

JUAN FERRERO: "It was only AFTER I discontinued old fashioned training methods and followed the modern Weider System that I reached my life's goal as a Mr. Universe winner."

LEO ROBERT: "I believe in training 6 times a week, using cheating, flushing and super sets in my training. As an advanced bodybuilder this is the best system for me."

ARMAND TANNY: "In one work-out with the Super Sets my arm gained one full inch!"

MALCOLM BRENNER: "Right from the start I have always encouraged my muscles to use as much weight as possible. I feel that this is my secret to large muscle size and definition."

Competitive weightlifters have this spirit of modern training too. Can you imagine Hepburn, Davis or Kono COAXING their muscles? Of course not! Some days they smash world records in their training, with a powerful drive of energy. Other days, when feeling less capable, they take it easier. Still, through it all, the pattern is always the same one of forcing more power into their already strong bodies.

Yet, faced with all this testimony AGAINST the very methods he advocates Paschall wistfully illustrates his objections to advanced training by drawing a bodybuilder with exaggerated feminine lines, which he claims results from sets, super sets and forced reps in training. Of course, this is just as ridiculous and as illogical as the other viewpoints fostered by his distorted training theories. We can only conclude, that in his own way, and in the only way he can express himself, he is referring to the bodybuilders as "queers." When it is recalled, that previously he has given them credit of being "morons" . . . "muscleheads" . . "hoodlums", "members of murder inc." and,"mirror athletes" we feel that little more need be added to sum up the man's opinion of the followers of our sport. Could be, that in trying to gather followers of his preachings, and in developing an army of bodybuilders just as frustrated as he, Paschall hopes eventually to prove his point.

As for us, we must apologize to bodybuilders and weight trainers the world over for having been forced to write this expose. We have been forced to use this valuable space in this manner, when we agree that it could have been used to better advantage in instructional writing to further to progress of the sport. But -- we knew that for the good of all, we had to act at this time to stamp out this MISREPRESENTATION from within our ranks, before it takes a serious hold and does real harm.

We realize that from the ranks of Paschall's supporters, wild eyed abuse will be hurled on us and everyone associated with Weider. When this occurs, we propose to refrain from any further comment. We have stated the facts truthfully, and nothing remains to be added. Except one thing. . . we DO NOT share Paschall's viewpoints, or sympathize in any way with those who permit him expression, when he says that bodybuilders are muscleheads, morons or delinquents. On the contrary, we say that they are a bunch of swell guys, of which we are all proud.

In closing, may we make it plain that it is impossible for us to continually expose these "quacks" and fakers in bodybuilding. We can only ask the reader to have confidence in us and to follow our courses and magazines for the best in bodybuilding, the sure road to muscular glory. It is up to you to safeguard your future now and to ignore these peddlers of MISREPRESENTATION. All you need to do is to ask any Champion how HE TRAINED, and you will be speaking to another product of the modern methods of training as advocated by Weider. Even the most skeptical should need no greater proof!

PHOTO CAPTIONS

The above drawing, and caption was used by Harry Paschall, in his recent article attacking modern weight training. This illustrates best his distorted viewpoint and the misrepresentations he peddles. Could YOU have any confidence in a man who depicts bodybuilders in such a grotesque and feminine manner?