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The last sentence of Bob's last post---"It depends on the goal of the indivivual" ---is the key. Everyone has different goals, and, like most things, goals change over the years. I, too, at one point was one of those guys whose only goal was to keep addig weight to the bar, specifically on the three powerlifts. Each day I entered the gym, my focus was on the next contest and how I could pounds to the squat, bench, and dead. There was actually a time when I only did the three lifts, to the exclusion of all other movements. Cardio was a foreign concept. Was I one of those guys who ate like a pig, and was out of shape? Yes, I was. Unfortunately, like most 22 year olds, I knew everything and didn't want to hear another opinion. Fortunately, and luckily, my goals changed. It wasn't until I turned 30 that I even began to do any cardio. I also began to do a balanced program focusing on many different movements. I also began training with other people who trained differently ( Drew being one of them.) I learned a lot from Drew, Dr. Ken, as well as many others. Being exposed to different magazines ( and consequently differing opinions and thoughts) certainly gave me "more food for thought." Now at ( almost) 44, my goals are to not only become strong but to attain a high degree of conditioning. I do this for several reasons. Good health being one of the most important. Heart attacks are the number one killer of firefighters. My own grandfather suffered a heart attack as a fireman while he was in his late forties, and died at a relatively young age (62). There is also heart disease on my mother's side of the family, as well. My goal is to stay as strong AND healthy as possible, for as long as possible. And, I still have the Hardgainer issue where Bob writes of the importance of cardio trainng as part of the overall training for any older athlete. I refer to it whenever I get the urge to skip doing cardio.
I realize that this a long post. Sorry if I sound as if I am preaching. Just my own thoughts, and hopefully, they can be of some use.