"[lifting] longer, but it prepares you for the task of loading the hay, and it has the much more important benefit of preparing you for any other work-related task you might encounter, not just the hay."
How many of us work lifting hay here? Or indeed any other physical labour?
"A resting heart rate of 48 BPM is very cool, but it's not nearly as useful as a 405-pound deadlift."
Useful? To WHOM? I run and cycle hills when I'm training because I'm training for running and cycling hills. I don't give two hoots about lifting 405 pounds. (and yes I've been down to 50bpm, but that's not a training goal. Having fun is the goal)
He talks about this being about generic training versus specific training, but all his 'generic' examples are specifically about lifting heavy objects.
I train to better prepare me for my life. As a husband and father, I find myself required to lift heavy stuff more often than I am required to run 5km. YMMV.
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/cond...