It should come as no surprise that I am a big fan of the writing of Bradley J. Steiner. Over the years, there have been many outstanding “strength writers,” but even amongst the great Iron Game writers of all time, Mr. Steiner stood out as someone who was truly inspirational. I have several of his books, and I would encourage anyone who is interested in increasing his/her knowledge about getting stronger to read his books. And if you can get your hands on some old Ironman magazines, then you will be able to benefit from his many articles.
For many years, he had a monthly column devoted to answering questions submitted from Ironman readers. These classic columns provide a wealth of information that would benefit both experienced lifters, as well as those new to the sport. The wisdom he disseminated each month is timeless, and much more useful than anything you’ll find among today’s “influencers,” and internet “experts.”
The May 1980 edition of Ironman, like just about every other issue of this great publication, had several informative articles, as well as the usual contest coverage, interesting features, and other interesting tidbits offered by Peary Rader. But while looking through this vintage issue, it was Bradley Steiner’s Question Box on page 36 that caught my eye. While there may have only been three questions, they were each significant since they are questions that are still being asked by trainees today, nearly forty-five years later.
The first question was “Does one need to join a health club or gym in order to develop an outstanding physique and great strength?”
How many aspiring lifters ask themselves that very question today? The answer that Mr. Steiner provided in 1980 is the same response to anyone asking that question in 2025. “One of the greatest mistakes that aspiring trainees make is to believe that, by joining a gym or health club, they are ‘guaranteed’ a good physique or lifting success!”
Not withstanding the fact that there are NO guarantees when it comes to training, an aspiring lifter should never be led to believe that by simply enrolling in a gym that they have found the golden ticket to strength and health. If you don’t make it to the gym on a consistent basis, then you will not make gains, of course. If you don’t train hard, and progressively then you will not get stronger.
And, of course, most commercial gyms today are a complete joke. The atmosphere in most of these places is not one where one can be inspired to train hard. Most people who train in a commercial gym are more interested in taking selfies, or making videos of themselves doing baby exercises and then sharing them on social media. And forget about the “personal trainers” who work at these places. Most, if not all, of them are nothing but cheerleaders and rep-counters.
Mr. Steiner goes on to say that he had never trained in a commercial gym. And he goes on to support his position by stating that home training is more private. It permits exclusive use of available equipment ( you don’t have to wait for your bench or squat rack to open up), and it allows you much greater opportunity for concentration and intensive mental focusing upon the workout. “This is much more important than chrome-plated equipment, by the way.” Truer words were never spoken!
You also save money lifting at home, in addition to the time saved from having to travel to and from the gym. And he makes a very salient point considering the current state of today’s commercial gyms: “Lifting at home keeps you away from some who pass out poor training advice that might confuse you.” Who wants to be around the yo-yos in most gyms today?
There are, of course, exceptions to training alone. If you are engaged in heavy training and are doing Bench Presses and/or Squats, then you MUST utilize spotters, or train inside a power rack with safety pins inserted to prevent the bar from crashing down on you. NEVER bench press or squat alone. Safety must always be paramount in any heavy training program.
Another note about training alone. There are some people who insist on training in a “group environment.” While it may be fashionable to lift with a group ( Gym Bros Rule!), take a moment to think about something. If you plan on entering a powerlifting or weightlifting contest, when your name is called and you step onto the platform and approach the loaded bar, you will be there by yourself. Nobody is going to help you lift that heavy weight. Your retinue of friends and gym bros will be of no help. And if you think that “psyching yourself up” will make a difference, just remember that emotion will only take you so far. At some point it will boil down to your strength against the weight. I always think back to the words of the great David Rigert: “Timidity is a great disadvantage in heavy athletics. When you are alone with a great weight you must be very, very brave. Many men are brave when they are with other men, but timid when alone.” So, if you are contemplating entering a lifting contest, you might as well as get used to attacking heavy weights by yourself, without the comfort of having a gym full of screaming supporters and cheerleaders.
The second question that was posed to Mr. Steiner is a very simple one to answer: “At what point in my training should I start using steroids?” It’s not hard to imagine what Mr. Steiner’s response would be to that inquiry. I think anyone reading this article would have the same answer. But I will quote him directly.
“The use of any drugs whatsoever to assist in the development of muscle, strength, and/or athletic ability is the curse of modern physical training. Under no circumstances should anyone ever use drugs to ‘help’ his development. Steroids are a threat to health and may even cause premature death for users.”
Back in the 1980s it was common for lifters and bodybuilders to use steroids. I’d like to say that today- 45 years later- steroids are no longer an issue in the world of strength. But, unfortunately, steroids, PEDs, “gear,” or whatever euphemism you want to use, are still here. And don’t talk about testing because most organizational testing is a joke. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to train in an environment devoid of any drug use ( or the tolerance of such use) then consider yourself lucky.
“Most of the top men use drugs to boost gains. I submit that this is indicative of a generally sick and perverse trend in the physical culture field, and sensible persons will counter it. We must bring bodybuilding back to the position of being a healthful art- not a ridiculous farce!”
“Don’t use drugs at all, no matter what anyone tells you. Better to develop with training, good food, rest, and a healthy attitude, and keep what you develop until the end of your years.”
Sound advice from a legendary strength writer that is just as relevant today as it was forty-five years ago. In a future article, I will cover the third question from this column which pertains to workout duration and touches the subject of abbreviated training. Something that is directly related to natural training and drug-free lifting.