I've never thought that the traditional format of repetitions and sets is very "natural". For one, no other animal besides us lifts weights in such a structured fashion. And this current version of weightlifting has really only gained popularity in the last fifty years, so it is a relatively recent phenomenon.
I'm not denying that modern resistance training works to build muscle and improve performance. But I do doubt that hunter-gatherers performed anything close to this type of weightlifting.
I've been reading this paper that suggests that load-carrying was a determining factor in how the human body developed. The paper mentions that hunting activity can be divided into three categories: capture, processing, and transport of game and tools. The authors then go on to point out some anatomical features which suggest that carrying was a significant factor for human body development.
A modern equivalent of this type of load-carrying is the "farmer's walk", where a person simply walks while carrying a heavy weight. I used to do these in the past but I have gotten anyway from them in recent years. This research has made me think that this type of lifting may be more "natural" and beneficial than modern lifting programs.
I've never thought that the traditional format of repetitions and sets is very "natural". For one, no other animal besides us lifts weights in such a structured fashion. And this current version of weightlifting has really only gained popularity in the last fifty years, so it is a relatively recent phenomenon.
I'm not denying that modern resistance training works to build muscle and improve performance. But I do doubt that hunter-gatherers performed anything close to this type of weightlifting.
I've been reading this paper that suggests that load-carrying was a determining factor in how the human body developed. The paper mentions that hunting activity can be divided into three categories: capture, processing, and transport of game and tools. The authors then go on to point out some anatomical features which suggest that carrying was a significant factor for human body development.
A modern equivalent of this type of load-carrying is the "farmer's walk", where a person simply walks while carrying a heavy weight. I used to do these in the past but I have gotten anyway from them in recent years. This research has made me think that this type of lifting may be more "natural" and beneficial than modern lifting programs.