I had a quadriplegic patient who kept a poster over his bed that said "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." Happiest guy you'll ever meet in a hospital. That quote has stuck with me ever since. Knowing that you lost a baseball scholarship, hearing how you bounced back, and seeing the way you carry yourself now has made me gain even more respect for you than I already had.
This is the reason why people like me keep coming back to your videos. You're real. You're honest. You don't care about putting on a show if it means putting aside what you stand for. Thanks Brian. By the way, I really have to agree with you on getting bigger once implementing strongman. Maybe it's luck or magic, but my squat went up dramatically past month. The only thing I did different was add in farmers walks (for my grip strength) and yoke carry (just because I loved the feeling of moving a weight that I never thought possible I could). That's all I did and just saw my numbers fly. I also think that all the yoke carrying made me feel confident with having such a heavy load on my back. If you walk around with 450+ lbs on your back, 405 feels like a breeze went setting up for a squat. (Couldn't quite get 405 though 😣)
I found it kinda funny he said "you weren't born with cerebral palsy" because I actually was. Though my case is minor, it's still there, it's still a major challenge and it'll never go away. But I'd never be as mentally strong and determined as I am now without it and I've still been able to enjoy powerlifting and competing and pushing my limits. Anything is possible if you work hard enough.
I totally agree with you man. I have a friend that competes in the special olympics every year and not once have i ever heard him blame genetics or act like a victim. Yet every single young kid out there complains about how bad they have it...it is disgusting. I am really glad you are showing people what it possible and killing it at life man. That is inspirational to me!
He didn't say " You weren't born without cerebral palsy" HE SAID "Most likely you weren't born with cerebral palsy" It's great that you don't let that stop you, you are different than most.
Its awesome watching someone talk about something they are passionate about. Thank you for sharing your story and reminding all of us that nothing replaces hard work and dedication
Hey Brian! I was born with cerebral palsy. I had surgery when I was 8 years old to help improve my walking. I have fought my way through it and get stronger physically. Even though I won't ever be 100% better im always trying my best to improve. Glad I came across your channel. Great stuff man!
I really enjoyed that speech you made at the end of the video about people complaining about bad genetics and their situation. I'm 15 years old and I hear people at my school and my gym complaining about tiny problems in their life way too often. I just like to hear people recognize how lucky they really are. I've said this before but I am still really enjoying your video's and this is is probably one of my favorites.
That is awesome man. the best thing you can do when people are complaining is either call them on it or just walk away. you will get sucked into that negativity if you hang around people like that. It is like a disease.
Saw your deadlifts on Mark Bell's videos and came over your channel to check you out directly. I can't wait to learn more from you. Thank you for all the sharing.
I read an article about you a few days after I subscribed to your channel. It was one from 2014 on the Carroll County Times website. That's how I knew you were into MMA and why you started competing in the strongman competitions. I am HUGELY inspired by the things you do and hopefully someday I can accomplish at least a hundredths of what you can do. And thank you so much for sharing you journey with us.
Ok, this has become my go to and my favorite lifting channel. You outranked Alan Thrall, and before he outranked Elliott Hulse. Not a single useless video, zero bullshit of broscience, all the time good vibes and the right amount of irony (which is actually usually also instructive). I just finished your bench press tutorials and will try your tips asap because it's been always my weakest lift. Also I'm starting to try your philosophy of using complementary lifts on big sets. I usually did big sets naturally because I got bored just waiting for one lift, and watching you advice it made me feel like a boss haha, anyway I do it in a messy way, I'll improve it with your tips. Congrats Brian you are the man. And I wish you the best success, but somehow I like that you're still kinda underground, just like you love a band and when they success big time they are everywhere and it's not the same. Regards from Barcelona, Spain!
“No one out works me, I’m too stupid to know when to quit” You sir, are a walking embodiment of Goku and I respect the hell out of that (if you’re a DBZ fan like a lot of fitness guys tend to be)
more inspiration from you again great stuff! I'm still training (53) but also getting my son ( 14 yesterday) who throws hammer into weights to begin to gain some size and strength. Your vids are very helpful thanks.
Good stuff as usual. You've opened my eyes to strongman. I've always thought of it as something out of my league. At age 39, about to be 40, I doubt I'd ever try to compete, but your channel has prompted me to incorporate some strongman movements into my programming. I tried sandbag loads the other day for fun, and while it destroyed me, that was the most fun I'd had in the gym in a long time.
Man it is so much fun because it is just like seeing what you are able to accomplish. All new stuff and it only makes your gym lifts better...there really is no downside
jorge soto yeap farmers tan at its best. this is the reason he doesn't go shirtless but then again he's humble doesn't want to show off his biggest @$$ muscles... lol @B😉
Brian u are to me what t nation was to u. Real talk I didn't know anything other than linear progression until u put out ur program videos. Uve changed the way I lift man its crazy
I’m 15 as of a couple months ago, I’ve been training since November 2016 when I was 13 after my gym teacher taught our health/fitness class as a strength/conditioning weight training class I’ve also started training on my own outside of school at thev. rec center I started at around 5’6’’/7’’, 110-115 lbs to now 5’8.5’’, 146-7 lbs. I can almost straight bar deadlift twice my bodyweight now it’ll only be a couple weeks. In the past couple weeks I randomly PRed on everything. My bench still isn’t that high for my bodyweight but I have absurdly long limbs (especially my legs; my femurs are basically the length of my torso making squatting to parallel very troublesome). I’d always been super skinny and underweight before lifting and weight training has massively spiked my muscle levels. My diet is great and I don’t eat any sugary junk and my bodyfat is (legitimately, not an underestimation) around 10-13 percent (you can clearly see my ab/serratus definition in any lighting, the cuts are pretty deep and you can see some chest striations when I flex). I can do around 17 consecutive strict pronated grip pull-ups and the reps have been going up. I can control a dragon flag eccentrically down to the ground (working on building the lat strength for front levers and the concentric portion of the DF), and I can do a couple 1 arm pushups consecutively. I’ve been doing Krav Maga, an Israeli military combat/self defense system that combines aspects of various martial arts and boxing with weapons defense and real world situational combat training (a couple months longer than I’ve been working out). It’s really improved my explosiveness, speed, endurance and core strength. Overall, I think it’s quite amazing to think how much further I can improve my body as I grow to be older and how far I am from my true genetic potential in strength and size. Thanks for the vid!
Gene Brown awesome coach and a great man! South Carroll class of'84. Awesome videos,great information. I'm 50 years old and plan on doing a powerlifting competition at 55. Keep these great videos coming to help me thru my training.
I don't think I've ever wrote a comment on ANYONE'S VIDEO, but I have to say I've seen 3 of your videos back to back and I appreciated each one. I subscribed and feel inspired from your transparency. I read a comment from you on some UK Fitness Model daily eating regime. thanks
Brian, great video as always - love hearing a bit of back story. That motivational piece at the end, putting it all into perspective caught me off guard and was extremely well said. You and Alan Thrall are by far my favorite TH-cam fitness dudes right now. Keep doing your thing and bringing us all along for the journey. I greatly appreciate the advice, insight, and mentoring from afar, brother.
Damn dude. Stumbled upon this video at the perfect time. You've quickly become one of my favorite fitness youtubers. Keep up the good work and thank you for what you do .
Definitely one of my favorite TH-camrs man. I appreciate all of the solid advice and your background. Thank you for sharing a bit of your history. I've learned a lot and have started implementing the advice you've been putting out from older videos and newer. Nothing but positive results. Keep up the great work my dude.
Dude this is really inspiring! I was also a skinny kid and now I'm among the most ripped guys in my gym. As luck would have it, I live really close to your gym and I'm looking forward to getting involved with strongman training with your crew!
Fantastic video sir! I'm a bit older than you, but a similar story. Strongman training really helped me too. I now have my 15 year old son getting into it. We watch your videos together. Hope this video inspires him as much as it did me. Thanks Brian.
Hey Brian, I saw you on Alan Thrall's channel and now I'm subscribed to you as well. I'm learning a lot from both of you. Main thing I'm encouraged in listening to your story is that it takes time. I'm 29, and I've been lifting for three years. My bodyweight went from 138 to 170 (currently, I just did a cut). My max deadlift went from 115 to 315, max squat from 100 to 275, max bench from 95 to 195, and OHP from 65 to 145. I feel like my program is still working for me right now, but sometimes I get impatient. I am about 95% over some mild to medium but persistent (over a year) shoulder pain that crept up on me due to years of bad posture followed by 2 years of bad bench press form. I want to push myself to my absolute limit just like you. Sorry for the long story, but I just wanted to say guys like you and Alan Thrall inspire me most in training. I don't have gym buddies or a trainer. All I have to help me along the way are people like yall who give sound advice and keep it real. I bought a used barbell set and some cheap, used gym equipment so I can workout at home. I just go down to the steel yard to buy used plates when I get strong enough to need another pair of 45s. I'm going to put at least a plate on all my main lifts this year. That's my goal. Thank yall for what you do for people like me. God bless.
Brian Alsruhe You're welcome man. Yesterday I started incorporating some of your methods into my routine like antagonizing muscle groups, shorter rest periods, direct ab work, heavier sets, and conditioning. I can immediately tell that this stimulus is what is going to take me to the next level this year. I only did one session so far, so no PRs as of yet (not to mention my dragon flags suck, lol), but I'm resting/refeeding today and hoping to give it 110% on Monday. I can't get enough of your videos. You're quickly becoming my favorite fitness person to look up to. I can tell you have serious experience, but you stay humble. You genuinely want people like me to do better and it's not all about the views. One day I'm going to be as strong as you, Brian. I might be pushing 50 when it happens, but that's okay. I don't plan on getting old anytime soon. Thanks again. I pray for your safety in the gym and elsewhere.
I just posted a shirtless physique pic pre-water cut on my instgram if you guys are interested in what I currently look like. You can find me @NEVERsate
Dude this video inspired me even further, especially the bit at the end. I'm 25, dabbled in weightlifting at 13-14 mostly bench pressing with those plastic and concrete York plates but i got really fat and really sick in high school. Got my health back and lost the weight (140lbs, was 290 at my heaviest now I'm 150), tried again at 21 and fell out of the mindset but I'm back at it now for good and progressing well. I subscribed to you just the other day and have been really digging your stuff man keep it up.
Incredibly inspiring, brother. Fellow innawoods kid here. Growing up basically out in swamps and bayous from sun up to sun down, I'm amazed I'm still alive honestly. Definitely given me some new perspective and stronger motivation, fantastic video
Thanks for the motivational speech at the end, Brian. It's easy to get discouraged watching so many people be amazing at strength sports and having so far to go myself. I forget that almost all of them have a story where they wanted to quit or got stuck for a long time. You really help put things into perspective.
Love that message at the end. I always try to get clients to appreciate themselves for who they are on the inside before they change anything on the inside. You are not your appearance!
"i was a skinny kid" bruh, it feels like you got more muscles when u were 15 yrs old than current me (19). great job that you started so early with the lifting.
Just found your channel when you were a guest teaching the benefits of the bent over barbell row. I "earned" service-connected injuries, but despite that, I'm back in my training regiment. Dig the content! You said "PT" WE'RE the only ones I know that use the acronym. SEMPER FI Brother; keep up the AWESOME work! 💪⚡⚡
It is never too late man. I didn't start strongman until I was 34 and people said it was way too late, but all of my years leading up to it made me advance pretty quickly. You never know where you will end up
Brian Alsruhe I started lifting 2 years ago at age 40 because I was finally inspired by seeing strongwomen who weren't massive...I've always been super active but thought I was way too lean (I say scrawny, lol) to lift heavy things. Yeah, it would've been cool to have gotten into it sooner, but this is where my path has taken me. I'm absolutely loving it now and am trying to "get too big" haha. Thanks for your videos, they're great resources for 15 or 42 year old men and women. :)
flipped though 5 of your videos. front squats abs etc... very good channel. shot up to top 5 on my work out info channels. keep up the great work! and thanks
absolutely brilliant video mate! so inspirational, I too was a skinny kid who struggled with my weight til i found the gym. i'm now a personal trainer and the head coach at the gym i work at. your words at the end of this video honestly brought a tear to my eye lol i don't mind admitting that! i respect your honesty and hard work ethic and you come across as such a genuine person with superb morals. i'd already subscribed to your channel but this video makes me wish i could subscribe 100 more times! lol. thank you very much for sharing. atb, Tom (from England).
Super motivational, thanks so much Brian! I'm 21, been training about a year and a half now and I've put on around 15lbs of muscle. Started off doing way too many curls like you but I've finally seen the light and training largely with the big movements has brought big improvements. Hoping to hit 315 on squat and dead soon. Its nothing incredible but given I struggled to deadlift 95lbs at first, I'm proud of myself. Keep up the awesome content!
That is awesome man, just stay at it. Every workout is like a brick in a wall. Add them long enough and you will eventually build something you never thought you could
Absolutely Awesome video! Came to this channel from seeing him with Omar and Alan. Just recently subscribed and am Loving the videos. Keep up the awesome content man!
Awesome story! I've been training for a few years now and finally figured out low reps high wieght is key for me as well, doing a basic 5x5 starting today to build my strength up and not worrying about muscle for now
This was awesome! Thanks for all the info you put out. It has been very helpful. I'm relatively new to your channel (since I saw you with Alan Thrall). Keep up the awesome work!
I really believe that the way you spend your time as kid has huge influence on what are your body is capable of now. Also in US you have great physical education in schools.All that football related stuff give kids a great oportunity to develop their bodies. In Poland it looks like this : you have PE class, "coach" throws you a soccer ball and says "play". Thats literally it. I envy you that opportunity. I spended my young years mostly sedentary, partying as a teenager and no sports at all. Now i can see what huge advantage have people who spend their young years trainig. Their bodies are much more mobile and stronger, their neurological development is much more advanced comparing to person who even trains 5 or more years but spent his young years non active. Awesome story, content on your chanel is great, I can learn smth new or get some ideas for my training development from almost any video keep up good work man! PS: i really would enjoy you talking more about conjugate method.
I totally agree man, maybe more places will follow suit with the PE stuff but sadly, in the US they are taking more and more PE stuff out of the system...Not good. And yep, I plan on making an entire video about how I set up conjugate once all of the comps are over
Sebastian Foksiński same here man, I'm from Romania, and same stuff happened to me in PE, throw them a ball; so my youth I had a sedenatary life, and now I'm 29, see all these people doing amazing things on youtube, I look at me, my posture is terible, my mobility too, yea try squating 400 pound with my posture and chronic back pain an all; thanks Brian for sharing your story, a real deal inspiration for us all!
When i was a really young kid, I spent more time climbing trees than anything. The first piece of equipment my parents got was a lat pulldown rig. Needless to say, Im a beast at pull-ups and bent-over rows, not too good at much else though haha
When I was 15 In high school I was on the varsity powerliftng team @132 Ibs weight class. I was really good. I have missed it. I am same age as you Brian 38. I have gotten big but years ago. Watching your videos has inspired me to get back into it. I am 6ft 155 Ibs and I 210-220 would be a great look but I would rather strenghth over beauty idk what that ways but I will find out. Thank you for your hard work on your great videos
Keep up the good work. Really nice story. I started only 3 years ago at 27years. Was overweight (113kg) and had bad hip, knees and water in the legs. I lost 30kg till then and am fitter and more healthy than I was ten years ago. Still quiet weak, but I really love it and will not stop. Your videos are a good motivation. :)
I just wanted to say something nice, because I really enjoy watching your videos for inspiration on training etc. You look amazing, and I hope someday I'll be able to achieve just a fraction of your physique.
I like your attitude. It's the same kind of mentality I like to have. You may not always be the biggest, or the strongest, but there is no excuse for not being the hardest worker.
I had a plastic/concrete weight set! Old school lifting! I started off at 15 doing bodyweight squats (sometimes holding a chair in front of me), push ups an sit ups. I think I found the workout in GQ. :)
Inspiring. In some ways your story is similar to mine, skinny kid and concrete weight set. That's pretty much where the similarity ends though. I was in the military but never really got into anything except very rudimentary boxing. I'm also old, I think I have a couple of years on you. I left military and trained intermittently 6 months on 6 off for the next 15 years because I would burn out. Now at 42 I've got back into lifting but with the help of the Internet I now train way more efficiently. My goal is to do 500's in deads and squats and hit the 1200 club at some stage. I set a time to hit my goal of two years. With TH-cam channels like yours, Alan's and Chad Wesley Smith's I've learnt to train more efficiently and program adjust to suit my body and lifestyle. You've got me well on my way to achieve my goals way earlier than in the original time frame that I set for myself. Cheers and thanks a lot mate.
I'm 15, 6 foot 1/ 6 foot 2, 240/250 pounds! I started strongman a little more than a year ago and with your tips i was able to gain A LOT of muscles! thank you so much!
The best program is what you said in a round about way... A) work out for a long time(decades) consistently and B) changing programs every couple years if not every few months...don't continually do the same thing. Good stuff, Brian!
I had a quadriplegic patient who kept a poster over his bed that said "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." Happiest guy you'll ever meet in a hospital. That quote has stuck with me ever since.
Knowing that you lost a baseball scholarship, hearing how you bounced back, and seeing the way you carry yourself now has made me gain even more respect for you than I already had.
Man that is awesome brother, thank you so much for saying that!
This is the reason why people like me keep coming back to your videos. You're real. You're honest. You don't care about putting on a show if it means putting aside what you stand for. Thanks Brian.
By the way, I really have to agree with you on getting bigger once implementing strongman. Maybe it's luck or magic, but my squat went up dramatically past month. The only thing I did different was add in farmers walks (for my grip strength) and yoke carry (just because I loved the feeling of moving a weight that I never thought possible I could). That's all I did and just saw my numbers fly.
I also think that all the yoke carrying made me feel confident with having such a heavy load on my back. If you walk around with 450+ lbs on your back, 405 feels like a breeze went setting up for a squat. (Couldn't quite get 405 though 😣)
I totally agree man, the Yoke walk has done a TON to help my squat. Other than technique work, I would give this 100% of the credit.
Still waiting on that nunchuck video...
I totally forgot about that man, I shall have to throw that into one of my upcoming videos!
Did this video ever happen?
I found it kinda funny he said "you weren't born with cerebral palsy" because I actually was. Though my case is minor, it's still there, it's still a major challenge and it'll never go away. But I'd never be as mentally strong and determined as I am now without it and I've still been able to enjoy powerlifting and competing and pushing my limits. Anything is possible if you work hard enough.
I totally agree with you man. I have a friend that competes in the special olympics every year and not once have i ever heard him blame genetics or act like a victim. Yet every single young kid out there complains about how bad they have it...it is disgusting. I am really glad you are showing people what it possible and killing it at life man. That is inspirational to me!
Brian Alsruhe Thank you for the kind words Brian!
Sure thing man!
Respect.
He didn't say " You weren't born without cerebral palsy" HE SAID "Most likely you weren't born with cerebral palsy" It's great that you don't let that stop you, you are different than most.
Its awesome watching someone talk about something they are passionate about. Thank you for sharing your story and reminding all of us that nothing replaces hard work and dedication
Thank you so much for watching it!
Hey Brian! I was born with cerebral palsy. I had surgery when I was 8 years old to help improve my walking. I have fought my way through it and get stronger physically. Even though I won't ever be 100% better im always trying my best to improve. Glad I came across your channel. Great stuff man!
Man thank you so much for sharing that, I think that is amazing! Awesome job brother!
woah
I really enjoyed that speech you made at the end of the video about people complaining about bad genetics and their situation.
I'm 15 years old and I hear people at my school and my gym complaining about tiny problems in their life way too often.
I just like to hear people recognize how lucky they really are.
I've said this before but I am still really enjoying your video's and this is is probably one of my favorites.
That is awesome man. the best thing you can do when people are complaining is either call them on it or just walk away. you will get sucked into that negativity if you hang around people like that. It is like a disease.
That's advice everyone should hear.
You are so old that you show the Photograph instead of putting it in Digitally hahaha
I love it great life, i was born 79 so i can relate
Dude when did this happen to us! i don't feel that old!
Born in 79? you're a Baby ;-) you're still a Young Gun! (8 years younger than me!)
i realize I'm quite randomly asking but does anyone know of a good website to watch new series online ?
@Aiden Samuel I use flixzone. You can find it on google :)
@Franklin Peter yup, have been watching on FlixZone for since april myself :D
Saw your deadlifts on Mark Bell's videos and came over your channel to check you out directly. I can't wait to learn more from you. Thank you for all the sharing.
That is awesome man, thank you so much for doing that!
Real talk. Especially like the part about life being a blessing.
That is awesome man, thank you, I really appreciate that!
Fantastic video, seriously one of the best TH-camrs. He needs more subs and views for sure!
Thank you, hopefully more people find out about the channel and like what i am doing here!
Crispy C 100%
Crispy C very real no bs channel
Inspirational as always. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Ben!
I read an article about you a few days after I subscribed to your channel. It was one from 2014 on the Carroll County Times website. That's how I knew you were into MMA and why you started competing in the strongman competitions. I am HUGELY inspired by the things you do and hopefully someday I can accomplish at least a hundredths of what you can do. And thank you so much for sharing you journey with us.
Man that is amazing, I really appreciate you watching the videos and for all of the kind words!
Watching this 2 years later! I wish I could come meet you guys! You're inspiring me to do more strongman lifts! Proud of you hitting 100k!
Ok, this has become my go to and my favorite lifting channel. You outranked Alan Thrall, and before he outranked Elliott Hulse. Not a single useless video, zero bullshit of broscience, all the time good vibes and the right amount of irony (which is actually usually also instructive). I just finished your bench press tutorials and will try your tips asap because it's been always my weakest lift. Also I'm starting to try your philosophy of using complementary lifts on big sets. I usually did big sets naturally because I got bored just waiting for one lift, and watching you advice it made me feel like a boss haha, anyway I do it in a messy way, I'll improve it with your tips. Congrats Brian you are the man. And I wish you the best success, but somehow I like that you're still kinda underground, just like you love a band and when they success big time they are everywhere and it's not the same. Regards from Barcelona, Spain!
“No one out works me, I’m too stupid to know when to quit”
You sir, are a walking embodiment of Goku and I respect the hell out of that (if you’re a DBZ fan like a lot of fitness guys tend to be)
Faxxx
Yup. Has a good soul like goku too
hands down your best video I think you are a great guy and honest to.
Thanks so much Todd, I really appreciate you saying that!
The world needs more Men like you Brian.
more inspiration from you again great stuff! I'm still training (53) but also getting my son ( 14 yesterday) who throws hammer into weights to begin to gain some size and strength. Your vids are very helpful thanks.
Man, I stumbled upon your channel a few days ago. And you already have earned top spot.
Good stuff as usual. You've opened my eyes to strongman. I've always thought of it as something out of my league. At age 39, about to be 40, I doubt I'd ever try to compete, but your channel has prompted me to incorporate some strongman movements into my programming. I tried sandbag loads the other day for fun, and while it destroyed me, that was the most fun I'd had in the gym in a long time.
Man it is so much fun because it is just like seeing what you are able to accomplish. All new stuff and it only makes your gym lifts better...there really is no downside
Forget the size. Holy crap look at the tan line.
jorge soto yeap farmers tan at its best. this is the reason he doesn't go shirtless but then again he's humble doesn't want to show off his biggest @$$ muscles... lol @B😉
Brian u are to me what t nation was to u. Real talk I didn't know anything other than linear progression until u put out ur program videos. Uve changed the way I lift man its crazy
I’m 15 as of a couple months ago, I’ve been training since November 2016 when I was 13 after my gym teacher taught our health/fitness class as a strength/conditioning weight training class
I’ve also started training on my own outside of school at thev. rec center
I started at around 5’6’’/7’’, 110-115 lbs to now 5’8.5’’, 146-7 lbs. I can almost straight bar deadlift twice my bodyweight now it’ll only be a couple weeks. In the past couple weeks I randomly PRed on everything. My bench still isn’t that high for my bodyweight but I have absurdly long limbs (especially my legs; my femurs are basically the length of my torso making squatting to parallel very troublesome).
I’d always been super skinny and underweight before lifting and weight training has massively spiked my muscle levels. My diet is great and I don’t eat any sugary junk and my bodyfat is (legitimately, not an underestimation) around 10-13 percent (you can clearly see my ab/serratus definition in any lighting, the cuts are pretty deep and you can see some chest striations when I flex). I can do around 17 consecutive strict pronated grip pull-ups and the reps have been going up. I can control a dragon flag eccentrically down to the ground (working on building the lat strength for front levers and the concentric portion of the DF), and I can do a couple 1 arm pushups consecutively.
I’ve been doing Krav Maga, an Israeli military combat/self defense system that combines aspects of various martial arts and boxing with weapons defense and real world situational combat training (a couple months longer than I’ve been working out). It’s really improved my explosiveness, speed, endurance and core strength.
Overall, I think it’s quite amazing to think how much further I can improve my body as I grow to be older and how far I am from my true genetic potential in strength and size. Thanks for the vid!
Hey man I’m new I know it’s late but it’s nice to know that you used to be where I’m currently at. Gotta keep grinding bro
Gene Brown awesome coach and a great man! South Carroll class of'84. Awesome videos,great information. I'm 50 years old and plan on doing a powerlifting competition at 55. Keep these great videos coming to help me thru my training.
I don't think I've ever wrote a comment on ANYONE'S VIDEO, but I have to say I've seen 3 of your videos back to back and I appreciated each one. I subscribed and feel inspired from your transparency. I read a comment from you on some UK Fitness Model daily eating regime. thanks
I saw that 10th Mountain in a previous video - awesome inspiration to get huge especially for fellow vets!
one of many few genuine youtubers
salute
Brian, great video as always - love hearing a bit of back story.
That motivational piece at the end, putting it all into perspective caught me off guard and was extremely well said.
You and Alan Thrall are by far my favorite TH-cam fitness dudes right now. Keep doing your thing and bringing us all along for the journey.
I greatly appreciate the advice, insight, and mentoring from afar, brother.
Man thanks you so much for your kind words, they mean more than you know!
Great message at the end, thanks Brian. But you know what we want to see now....
Nunchaku video!!!!!!!!!!!
It's coming brother!
I am so so glad i decided to go through your back catalogue man. Such an inspiring guy
Just feeling super inspired and positive after this and had to speak up. Chase your dreams and change your mind set.
You're a good man Brian. Nice to see in this day and age. This is an "old" vid but I just watched it. Keep on SMASHING! God bless!
Damn dude. Stumbled upon this video at the perfect time. You've quickly become one of my favorite fitness youtubers. Keep up the good work and thank you for what you do .
Seeing where you and Allan started has given me confidence that I can go much further. Appreciate you both \m/
So inspiring ! Please don't stop making videos
It's funny how nobody does 10x3 anymore even though it's so good.
It is one of the best rep schemes ever!
Perry B should I try it as a beginner?
Bhabadwip Dhing Thats how I started doing deadlifts. Helped me dial in form
The message at the end was gold.
Definitely one of my favorite TH-camrs man. I appreciate all of the solid advice and your background. Thank you for sharing a bit of your history. I've learned a lot and have started implementing the advice you've been putting out from older videos and newer. Nothing but positive results. Keep up the great work my dude.
I'm 32 and skinny like you were at 15 lol luckily I found your videos and can hopefully start changing that faster than I have done in the last 5years
Dude this is really inspiring! I was also a skinny kid and now I'm among the most ripped guys in my gym. As luck would have it, I live really close to your gym and I'm looking forward to getting involved with strongman training with your crew!
Fantastic video sir! I'm a bit older than you, but a similar story. Strongman training really helped me too. I now have my 15 year old son getting into it. We watch your videos together. Hope this video inspires him as much as it did me. Thanks Brian.
That is so awesome man and I think you setting an example for your son is massively inspiring! Dad PR's!
Hey Brian, I saw you on Alan Thrall's channel and now I'm subscribed to you as well. I'm learning a lot from both of you. Main thing I'm encouraged in listening to your story is that it takes time.
I'm 29, and I've been lifting for three years. My bodyweight went from 138 to 170 (currently, I just did a cut). My max deadlift went from 115 to 315, max squat from 100 to 275, max bench from 95 to 195, and OHP from 65 to 145. I feel like my program is still working for me right now, but sometimes I get impatient. I am about 95% over some mild to medium but persistent (over a year) shoulder pain that crept up on me due to years of bad posture followed by 2 years of bad bench press form. I want to push myself to my absolute limit just like you.
Sorry for the long story, but I just wanted to say guys like you and Alan Thrall inspire me most in training. I don't have gym buddies or a trainer. All I have to help me along the way are people like yall who give sound advice and keep it real. I bought a used barbell set and some cheap, used gym equipment so I can workout at home. I just go down to the steel yard to buy used plates when I get strong enough to need another pair of 45s. I'm going to put at least a plate on all my main lifts this year. That's my goal. Thank yall for what you do for people like me. God bless.
Man thank you so much for writing this, it really does mean a lot!
Brian Alsruhe You're welcome man. Yesterday I started incorporating some of your methods into my routine like antagonizing muscle groups, shorter rest periods, direct ab work, heavier sets, and conditioning. I can immediately tell that this stimulus is what is going to take me to the next level this year. I only did one session so far, so no PRs as of yet (not to mention my dragon flags suck, lol), but I'm resting/refeeding today and hoping to give it 110% on Monday. I can't get enough of your videos. You're quickly becoming my favorite fitness person to look up to. I can tell you have serious experience, but you stay humble. You genuinely want people like me to do better and it's not all about the views. One day I'm going to be as strong as you, Brian. I might be pushing 50 when it happens, but that's okay. I don't plan on getting old anytime soon. Thanks again. I pray for your safety in the gym and elsewhere.
Awesome video. Start of the video I was interested to see what you had to say. Now, now you have my attention. Awesome
I just posted a shirtless physique pic pre-water cut on my instgram if you guys are interested in what I currently look like. You can find me @NEVERsate
What did you mean when you said "i always kept the giant set, antagonistic muscle group"?
Dude this video inspired me even further, especially the bit at the end. I'm 25, dabbled in weightlifting at 13-14 mostly bench pressing with those plastic and concrete York plates but i got really fat and really sick in high school. Got my health back and lost the weight (140lbs, was 290 at my heaviest now I'm 150), tried again at 21 and fell out of the mindset but I'm back at it now for good and progressing well. I subscribed to you just the other day and have been really digging your stuff man keep it up.
That is awesome man, thanks for sharing this!
Thank you for last part of the video, "be happy with what u have."
Subcribed to this channel because of the Alan Thrall video. Your content is insanely helpful. You the man Brian!
Thanks so much for checking the stuff out!
Incredibly inspiring, brother.
Fellow innawoods kid here. Growing up basically out in swamps and bayous from sun up to sun down, I'm amazed I'm still alive honestly.
Definitely given me some new perspective and stronger motivation, fantastic video
Thanks so much man, i really appreciate you saying that!
Thanks for the motivational speech at the end, Brian. It's easy to get discouraged watching so many people be amazing at strength sports and having so far to go myself. I forget that almost all of them have a story where they wanted to quit or got stuck for a long time. You really help put things into perspective.
Thank you for saying that man, it means a lot!
Love that message at the end. I always try to get clients to appreciate themselves for who they are on the inside before they change anything on the inside. You are not your appearance!
I love your overarching messages. Thank you.
Somehow in 10 videos I've watched of this guy, I haven't seen a single comment about how he looks just like John cena
Hahahah keep looking man, they are all over the place!
"i was a skinny kid" bruh, it feels like you got more muscles when u were 15 yrs old than current me (19). great job that you started so early with the lifting.
This is the most motivational video I've seen yesterday. (Sounds way better than saying today at 0300) keep up the great work!!!
Hahaha thanks man!
What a guy. I like lifters who are humble and emphasize the importance of mindset
Keep the videos going Brian...they are motivational & inspiring
Thank you so much Wayne!
Just found your channel when you were a guest teaching the benefits of the bent over barbell row.
I "earned" service-connected injuries, but despite that, I'm back in my training regiment. Dig the content! You said "PT" WE'RE the only ones I know that use the acronym. SEMPER FI Brother; keep up the AWESOME work! 💪⚡⚡
One of my go-to channels now. I'm way behind the curve; started lifting 2 years ago at 44, but it's still worth while, and working.
It is never too late man. I didn't start strongman until I was 34 and people said it was way too late, but all of my years leading up to it made me advance pretty quickly. You never know where you will end up
Brian Alsruhe I started lifting 2 years ago at age 40 because I was finally inspired by seeing strongwomen who weren't massive...I've always been super active but thought I was way too lean (I say scrawny, lol) to lift heavy things. Yeah, it would've been cool to have gotten into it sooner, but this is where my path has taken me. I'm absolutely loving it now and am trying to "get too big" haha. Thanks for your videos, they're great resources for 15 or 42 year old men and women. :)
That is so amazing, thank you so much for sharing that! Stay at it, you will do some awesome things!
great video. I don't comment often enough but I watch everything you put out brother. keep fighting the good fight and stay awesome.
Thank you so much man, i really appreciate that!
I'm so glad I found your channel. Very motivating and inspiring
That is an awesome thing to say, thank you!
This guy is legit and inspiring! Thumbs up!
Thanks so much man, i appreciate that!
Thank you so much for telling your story!
Thanks for watching it!
flipped though 5 of your videos. front squats abs etc... very good channel. shot up to top 5 on my work out info channels. keep up the great work! and thanks
Im becoming a personal trainer and ill make sure to let people know about you. Your videos are pure gold.
That is awesome, thank you so much!
Nice Video!
Sheer Work been done throughout the years.
Good to see such different video's at times.
Thanks man, i really appreciate you watching them!
Thank you for sharing your story and the words of wisdom at the end.
Thanks for watching! i really appreciate it!
absolutely brilliant video mate! so inspirational, I too was a skinny kid who struggled with my weight til i found the gym. i'm now a personal trainer and the head coach at the gym i work at. your words at the end of this video honestly brought a tear to my eye lol i don't mind admitting that! i respect your honesty and hard work ethic and you come across as such a genuine person with superb morals. i'd already subscribed to your channel but this video makes me wish i could subscribe 100 more times! lol. thank you very much for sharing. atb, Tom (from England).
Super motivational, thanks so much Brian! I'm 21, been training about a year and a half now and I've put on around 15lbs of muscle. Started off doing way too many curls like you but I've finally seen the light and training largely with the big movements has brought big improvements. Hoping to hit 315 on squat and dead soon. Its nothing incredible but given I struggled to deadlift 95lbs at first, I'm proud of myself. Keep up the awesome content!
That is awesome man, just stay at it. Every workout is like a brick in a wall. Add them long enough and you will eventually build something you never thought you could
Absolutely Awesome video! Came to this channel from seeing him with Omar and Alan. Just recently subscribed and am Loving the videos. Keep up the awesome content man!
Brian this was so inspirational and motivational, Thank you for uploading this!
Sure thing, thanks for watching it!
Awesome story! I've been training for a few years now and finally figured out low reps high wieght is key for me as well, doing a basic 5x5 starting today to build my strength up and not worrying about muscle for now
Great video Brian - that conclusion was very inspiring and motivational. Thank you for continually putting out great content on your channel.
Thanks man, i really appreciate that!
This was awesome! Thanks for all the info you put out. It has been very helpful. I'm relatively new to your channel (since I saw you with Alan Thrall). Keep up the awesome work!
Thanks you for the support and I really appreciate you watching the videos!
amazing... feel energised and so positive after this
I really believe that the way you spend your time as kid has huge influence on what are your body is capable of now. Also in US you have great physical education in schools.All that football related stuff give kids a great oportunity to develop their bodies. In Poland it looks like this : you have PE class, "coach" throws you a soccer ball and says "play". Thats literally it. I envy you that opportunity. I spended my young years mostly sedentary, partying as a teenager and no sports at all. Now i can see what huge advantage have people who spend their young years trainig. Their bodies are much more mobile and stronger, their neurological development is much more advanced comparing to person who even trains 5 or more years but spent his young years non active. Awesome story, content on your chanel is great, I can learn smth new or get some ideas for my training development from almost any video keep up good work man!
PS: i really would enjoy you talking more about conjugate method.
I totally agree man, maybe more places will follow suit with the PE stuff but sadly, in the US they are taking more and more PE stuff out of the system...Not good.
And yep, I plan on making an entire video about how I set up conjugate once all of the comps are over
Sebastian Foksiński same here man, I'm from Romania, and same stuff happened to me in PE, throw them a ball; so my youth I had a sedenatary life, and now I'm 29, see all these people doing amazing things on youtube, I look at me, my posture is terible, my mobility too, yea try squating 400 pound with my posture and chronic back pain an all; thanks Brian for sharing your story, a real deal inspiration for us all!
Thanks for watching it!
When i was a really young kid, I spent more time climbing trees than anything. The first piece of equipment my parents got was a lat pulldown rig. Needless to say, Im a beast at pull-ups and bent-over rows, not too good at much else though haha
Hahaha i can completely understand with pull-ups and bench
When I was 15 In high school I was on the varsity powerliftng team @132 Ibs weight class. I was really good. I have missed it. I am same age as you Brian 38. I have gotten big but years ago. Watching your videos has inspired me to get back into it. I am 6ft 155 Ibs and I 210-220 would be a great look but I would rather strenghth over beauty idk what that ways but I will find out. Thank you for your hard work on your great videos
I'm 44 and I'm inspired
That is awesome man!
Absolutely love your videos. Super motivational!
Thanks so much for watching them, I appreciate it so much!
Great video man! After 3 years of following your work on Tnation I think I can tell your story myself :)
Hahaha thanks man and great to see you over here!
Keep up the good work. Really nice story. I started only 3 years ago at 27years. Was overweight (113kg) and had bad hip, knees and water in the legs. I lost 30kg till then and am fitter and more healthy than I was ten years ago.
Still quiet weak, but I really love it and will not stop.
Your videos are a good motivation. :)
Thank you so much for sharing your story man!
I just wanted to say something nice, because I really enjoy watching your videos for inspiration on training etc. You look amazing, and I hope someday I'll be able to achieve just a fraction of your physique.
I like your attitude. It's the same kind of mentality I like to have. You may not always be the biggest, or the strongest, but there is no excuse for not being the hardest worker.
Absolutely agree!
I had a plastic/concrete weight set! Old school lifting! I started off at 15 doing bodyweight squats (sometimes holding a chair in front of me), push ups an sit ups. I think I found the workout in GQ. :)
Hahahaha that is awesome!
Awesome video Brian! Loving all the quality content you've been putting out lately!
Thank you, I really appreciate you watching them!
Very inspirational video as always =) Thanks Brian!
Thanks for watching!
Great video Brian
Awesome video and message Brian!
Thank you!
You've been quite the inspiration for me lately.
thank you for your videos, keep posting 'em!
best regards from Brazil
That is awesome, thank you so much for watching them!
Great video Brian! Very inspirational. Thanks for the motivation!
Thanks for watching Peter, i really appreciate it!
I couldn't love the last minute of this video more! 👍 👍
Inspiring. In some ways your story is similar to mine, skinny kid and concrete weight set. That's pretty much where the similarity ends though. I was in the military but never really got into anything except very rudimentary boxing. I'm also old, I think I have a couple of years on you. I left military and trained intermittently 6 months on 6 off for the next 15 years because I would burn out. Now at 42 I've got back into lifting but with the help of the Internet I now train way more efficiently. My goal is to do 500's in deads and squats and hit the 1200 club at some stage. I set a time to hit my goal of two years. With TH-cam channels like yours, Alan's and Chad Wesley Smith's I've learnt to train more efficiently and program adjust to suit my body and lifestyle. You've got me well on my way to achieve my goals way earlier than in the original time frame that I set for myself. Cheers and thanks a lot mate.
That is so awesome man, thanks for saying this! I love to read messages like this!
Another awesome video! Very inspiring.
Thank you!
So that nunchuck video.....
Love your content!
You really are a champion bloke. Wish u all the success.
Thank you so much, i really appreciate that!
You're a inspiration man
I'm 15, 6 foot 1/ 6 foot 2, 240/250 pounds! I started strongman a little more than a year ago and with your tips i was able to gain A LOT of muscles! thank you so much!
The best program is what you said in a round about way... A) work out for a long time(decades) consistently and B) changing programs every couple years if not every few months...don't continually do the same thing. Good stuff, Brian!
Thanks man, i appreciate that!
Really informative and helpful videos mate, great stuff
Thanks brother, I really appreciate that!