Mechanical Drawing Self-Taught: A Book Review for Lifters

As a lifter, I know the importance of strength and muscle growth. However, I also know that it takes more than just bench presses to become a truly strong and capable individual. That’s why I was intrigued when I stumbled upon the book “Mechanical Drawing Self-Taught: Comprising instructions in the selection and preparation of drawing instruments, elementary instruction in practical mechanical drawing; together with examples in simple geometry and elementary mechanism, including screw threads, gear wheels, mechanical motions, engines and boilers” by Joshua Rose. I know, it doesn’t sound like a typical read for a gym-goer, but bear with me.

The book starts with a basic introduction to the tools and techniques used in mechanical drawing. It then delves into simple geometry, covering topics such as lines, angles, and circles. While this might seem like a far cry from the gym, I found myself drawing parallels between the precision required in mechanical drawing and the precision required in lifting weights. Just like you need to keep your form tight and controlled during a deadlift or squat, mechanical drawing requires a steady hand and a sharp eye.

The latter half of the book covers more complex topics such as screw threads, gear wheels, and engines. At first, these subjects seemed like a foreign language to me, but as I read on, I realized that they all come down to one thing: mechanical advantage. In lifting, we strive for mechanical advantage every time we improve our form or add weight to our lifts. This book reminded me that strength and power don’t just come from brute force, but from understanding the mechanics behind the movement.

So, why should someone read this book? Well, for starters, it’s a fascinating read for anyone interested in mechanics and machines. But for lifters specifically, it provides a unique perspective on strength, one that emphasizes the importance of precision and mechanics over brute force alone. And who knows, maybe you’ll even find some inspiration for your next lifting program.

As for me, I’m going to keep working on my deadlifts, because as the book reminded me, that’s where true strength lies.

Now, I want to hear from you. What did you think about this review? Have you ever read a book that inspired you in the gym? Leave a comment and let me know what you’re working on in the gym today. Let’s keep pushing ourselves towards greater strength and precision.