User:BlackSpot

Welcome to my user page.

About me

• My name is Pedro
• I'm Portuguese
• I have this weird interest in strength training.
• English is not my first language, so please excuse my poor use of it. Feel free to correct my grammar and spelling, particularly on this page.
• I've been a reader of Wikipedia for a few years but had only made a few very minor edits to a couple of articles (as an anonymous user) until now. Reading the featured article Weight training prompted me to register and create this user page.

Weigh training

Although I have great respect for all the time and effort the other users have put into the weight training article, I do not believe its present incarnation should have been awarded (or should keep) featured article status for a number reasons, some more important than others:

• This page should be titled "strength training" and not have strength training redirect to it, because, as it's mentioned in the article itself, weight training is but one of several possible forms of strength training. Most of what is said in the article applies to strength training in general, because it pertains to its nature.
• The lead section does not start with a proper definition of the subject and does not, in my opinion, do a good job of summarising the entire topic.
• There is a tremendous amount of information stated as undisputed fact that is, in some cases, subject to great controversy (both among strength training enthusiasts and within the scientific community), and in other instances, plain incorrect.
• There are many many relevant aspects of strength training that are omitted.
• Citations are few and far between, and save for a single reference to a published research study, the article cites only secondary or (to put it nicely) "tertiary" sources, many of which of dubious credibility (from uncredited articles in an internet marketing website to information from a website that sells vitamins and "Natural Herbal Remedies").
• Related to the above, It is absolutely ridden with blanket terms and weasel words, and other POV problems.
• This point is arguable because it's mostly a matter of style, but I feel that large portions of the article are written in an informal/unprofessional tone and read almost like a promotional brochure from a gym or like an article in a muscle mag.
• Related to the above, I don't believe it's the business of an encyclopedia to provide advice or tell anyone what they should or shouldn't do (e.g. "Beginners are advised to build up slowly to a weight training program" or "Anyone beginning an intensive physical training program should consult a physician", etc.). I understand these concerns, but these recommendations should be attributed to someone else and not appear as advice from the editors of the page. They can be introduced in the article, for instance, as recommendations that commonly appear in fitness articles.
• More, in greater detail and with specifics as soon as I have some time...