I was watching the US Open the other day and as I watched Tiger Wood's swing it reminded me of something I read a long time ago: if you want to get really good at something, become a student of it. That is find everything you can about that subject (books, videos, role models, etc.) and absorb it.
What does Tiger's swing have to with weightlifting and this post? It's serves as a warning to be careful of whom you emulate. Fundamentally speaking, Tiger's swing sucks. It is not what one would describe as perfect, but it works for him.
Say you want to learn golf and you watch video after video of Tiger's swing and then you go to the driving range and try to emulate what you've seen. How do you think that session would go? My guess is not well.
As far as weightlifting goes look for lifter who are similar to you in body type. If I have long levers (arms and legs) is it going to be really beneficial to me to watch stocky lifters?
It's fine to have idols, but be careful to study lifters that are similar to you and not the ones that just lift a ton (save those for motivation). Learn the "proper way" first than adapt it to how you lift.
