I definitely agree with this, and that's why I try to keep my ego out of my lifts as much as possible. Using working maxes rather than 1RM as my reference point tends to help prevent from pushing beyond my means. I used to base a lot of my lifts off of my PR rather than what my working max was on a given training day, and we all know that your potential varies depending on sleep, nutrition, stress, etc. If your working maxes are trending upward (depending on goals) then you are still getting stronger. Adding varying goals to the equation in cyclical phases tends to help prevent overtraining or getting sucked into the rabbit hole of constantly pushing for bigger numbers when my primary focus is performance-based in the jiu-jitsu and tactical realm.

Bass points out some very good flaws in research methodology pointing at safety.

What gets lost in convo is weight used.

Squat and DL seem simple and are so popular so to a degree, they motivate to take unreasonably high loads.

And there are alternatives out there e.g. I see the logic behind single leg work possibly being better for dynamic sport games e.g. BJJ.

No doubt there will be floors in some research. But the per 1000 hrs research is pretty robust with the size of cohort used and amount of hours observed for sport. I would say unilateral movements are a progression of bilateral movements. You need the execute a good amount of balance, proximal stability and control and proprioception especially if you externally load the movement. Whilst the bilateral movement lessens that requirement. But can create strength imbalances when limb symmetry is tested. My problem with bass rhetoric on lifting heavy is bad is that you need context and then the body of research doesn't support that in the correct context of clinical trials. Even the ACL reconstruction Best Pracrice guidelines suggest a supplementary goal of 1.5 x BW 1RM Back Squat as a outcome measure. Alongside this heavy resistance training programmed well improves the reduction in injury onset. As improving maximal strength improves tolerance of sub maximal outputs like a sparring round in BJJ. My advice to people is train through the whole force velocity curve. This will improve athletic performance. Thus improving performance output in BJJ.

I love the Mathias method to build power (books are really cheap on the Apple Books platform) and variations of the (cringe) jocko willink “discipline equals freedom” workouts in conditioning phases. Specifically my own adaptations to the intermediate workouts. Generally 4 sessions per week. It most certainly contributes to my BJJ training and progression.

Not a Jocko fan, or just not a fan of the workouts in his book?