More than one way to skin a cat?

I started thinking about this after reading something on Tony Gentilcore's website the other day.

Tony Gentilcore

The particular post is the response to the quote from strength coach Nick Horton.  In the response, Tony says "there is more than one way to skin a cat", and it got me thinking. This is something we say/hear quite often in this industry, because of the numerous styles and methods of training. Not only are there tons of training styles out there, but alot of them are efficient and effective. 

This is where the meaning splits, I think.  In one sense, there is "more than one way to skin a cat" in the way that TG meant it. Horton does a really good job with his athletes, but uses a slightly different style than they do at Cressey Performance. They utilize the same basic methods; heavy compound lifts, movement quality and increasing rate of force production.  They have the same goal, they just take different paths to get there. Neither one is "right" or "wrong", they are just different.

The other time you will hear "there is more than one way to skin a cat" is when a trainer doesn't agree with someone else's method AT ALL. This is currently the instance that I most often hear myself saying this phrase. This is the professional-courtesy type of saying. Such as "Oh yea, he is a really good trainer...ya know...there is more than one way to skin a cat." If you catch me saying this, it is a surefire way to know that this other trainer is an ass-clown.

Creepy

Yes, I really do understand that everyone has their own methods; and if you are able to back up those methods with proper scientific research then by all means, train away.  If your information is strictly anecdotal however, then I am going to need some more convincing. You are going to be hard pressed to get me to agree that trainer-resisted-triceps-extensions are a more effective way to train the triceps than exercises with conventional external-resistance. 

Regardless of which type of method you adhere to; a Cressey Performance style athletic program, a Westside protocol, a GPP based method like Crossfit, or even a five day bodybuilder split <shudder>, the main thing is that you are actually working out. If you could apply some science to it, you'd be even better off!

Go lift something heavy!*

*just no bicep curls in the squat rack!!