8-times Mr. Olympia champion Ronnie Coleman has gained fame for his intense strength training routines and incredible deadlifts. They did not build Rome in a day, the same applied to Ronnie’s physique. In a past interview with Muscle & Fitness, he spoke about maintaining his health while training for competitions.

In the interview, the athlete contested the claim that heavy-weight lifters are more prone to injuries. Additionally, he shared his mantra for balancing between optimal weights and perfect form.

Ronnie Coleman sheds light on a common misconception:

Coleman staunchly defends his opinion that lifting heavy weights can be a breeze. Caution and posture need to be maintained. He also pointed out that being able to lift heavier weights is no indication of becoming a better athlete.

Ronnie said, “Egotistic lifters would like to believe that heavy weight is the most important aspect of bodybuilding. They’re wrong, but so are their opponents who think that heavy weight is the culprit behind injuries and delayed development. That’s not an indictment of heavyweight, but of the way it’s often handled.”

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Coleman reiterated the importance of developing a solid form while working with weights. He stated that giving equal importance to both pump and form is pivotal for achieving a perfect physique. “Perform an exercise properly with good form and there’s no such thing as too much weight,” continued the retired IFBB professional. “The point is that heavy weight, perfect form, and optimal pump are all equal parts of the same equation. One is not more important than the other,” he concluded.

Coleman could have indeed been wrong

The athlete’s words might have proven wrong in the long run. However, it is obvious scientific reasoning backs his opinion. Fate has proven to be ironic for Ronnie. Having ignored a serious injury for a long time, Ronnie ended up inflicting permanent damage to his body, due to which he lost most of his mobility. He was bedridden, with 13 surgeries to recover from.

Ronnie Coleman is famous in history books for his crazy squats and deadlifts. He once lifted 800lbs! While the athlete walks again today, it was not before he had to endure agonizing pain from a dislocated disk. Aficionados in the industry have often blamed Coleman’s heavy-weight workout style as the primary reason for his life-threatening injuries. Where does your viewpoint stand in this debate? Tell us your opinion in the comments below.