Let's talk about strength - the acquisition thereof. A highly personal journey for any human being, but with some universal truisms which should be noted for posterity. As a scientist, indeed a data scientist, I realise the power of the normal distribution. We are, most of us, average - more or less. A very tiny proportion of human beings occupy either the stratified air of elite athleticism and genetic ability, or the gutter of physical ineptitude. Despite this, most of us label ourselves as either gifted or more likely inept when physical exercise and strength training are concerned. The 'Hardgainer' phenomenon is still in vogue, trying to rob us of the neccessary self-belief to get under a heavy barbell, squat down, and stand back up again. "Hardgainers" would occupy the extreme left - i.e. there are very few In the belief that my ongoing journey to strength is typical of most human beings (although I am a slightly larger human being than avera...