Is it possible the dedicated just made home gyms during covid? Maybe they should get back in the public eye and show them how it’s done. Or complain that they can’t get in the zone surrounded by pencilnecks and stay away.
You know what, I didn't even consider this point!!!! Hahahahaha you're absolutely right my man, holy shit that must be what happened. This perfectly explains what's happening in the gyms, which was NOT like this pre-C.
its true. I've started working out at late lockdown then over time little by little bought a power rack, a barbell and dumbbell set that goes up to 106kg, i'm still relatively new to lifting, but fueled by insecurities and a drive to become the best, i can never let myself sandbag a single set. either failure or die. I never signed up for a gym since i've got what i need here, and i dont need a 12-station circuit to pointlessly isolate single muscle groups. thats just me however, the only way to reliably tell is seeing how much gym equipment sales have risen since covid
Yeah idk. I beleive I did alot of brutal effort stuff in my mid 20s but probably didn't eat enough or something , never really got good or where I wanted to be , have a really bad hip , can't run anymore, the reward from effort was an illusion in my case.
Sooooo true my man, especially with the faces and grinding. I don't feel the average lifter even knows what failure feels like. True dedication = outlier status.
@@AlexLeonidas Yo Alex you can't really be a DBZ brotha like Omni and myself unless you get some tats! 😅 j/k but yeah DBZ got me obsessed with my own power level 4sho! I pay homage on my channel too.😉#RIPAkira
Oh man that commercial gym point… the best gyms have the worst atmosphere. Spot on. With the basement flooded the last couple weeks I’ve spent more time in the commercial gym, effort levels are disappointing to say the least. Gyms went from hardcore, to only a few big guys, to only a couple guys that even train like they want to be big. Hopefully if the pendulum can swing this way it can swing back
I’m an old man nowadays, but I get stared at when I hit the gym, due to the grunting and breathing I guess. People get intimidated by intensity, for some reason, but that’s what it takes to make progress (or in my case, keep it around as long as possible).
We have a ton of locally owned gyms still. One of them is still known as the bodybuilding and now influencer gym if that's your thing. Personally I hate that atmosphere so I got to another smaller privately owned gym where it's more chill.
@@thetowndrunk988 I'm one of the few harder working people at the private gym I go to and I always get stared at and I'm thinking to myself "this is just consistent hard work anyone should be able to do".
@@ChicagoScorpion Exactly. It’s the same thing that makes Planet Fitness such a joke. I went there a few times, and got talked to about grunting…..like WTF do you think is gonna happen when you’re really pushing? Grunting comes with straining.
always thought he has a variety of accents that he's used over the years. check out his videos from like 12 years ago, they are the 'gangster' accent. nowadays it's a 'southern baptist preacher' accent.
@MarcoFeldman Maybe I'm remembering wrong. The point is, I've seen you a lot, to the point that instantly recognized your pfp. (NH is Natural Hypertrophy)
Alex, I’d argue you’re one of maybe 3-4 influencers who tell the unbridled truth, and definitely the one to trust for info. You’re exactly right about the grind to go over 315. I got to 315 within a few years. To hit 405 took another 11, plus in my case, it took me getting close to 300 pounds to slay that white whale. The fact you did it at a relatively healthy weight, all while remaining natural, imo makes you the foremost expert on how to grind for progress.
Big respect to you for a decade grind to the big 4 plates!!!! You're on a different level that 99% of lifters will never relate to, and I'd trust your advice over most fitness influencers who brag about their first bouncy, grindy 315.
Steroid use is getting WAY too normalized around these parts. If you're not watching a video with usage, you're one video recommendation away. Exactly why Alex is such a respected voice.
I'm 17, late novice and thanks to you I avoided the "optimal exercises" and program hopping trap. When i was listening to the optimal guys, i literally spent over a grand on a dual pulley machine to do their fancy cable motions and avoid the hardcore fundamentals. Made no gains whatsoever, spinned my wheels, skipped workouts. Not to mention being feared mongered by the youtuber we all know of into avoiding not only behind the neck stuff but even wide grip benching. Proud and grateful of having chosen old school, hardcore, long term training in my garage gym with basic equipment (barbell, bench, dumbbells, pullup bar, ghetto pulley). Never looking back !
Cool bro, I‘m 18 and still a beginner, used to do all the optimal cable crap too and there was no progress, now where I almost completely avoid machines there’s literally noticeable progress week to week
Its a symptom of the global culture reflective in gaming, so many people want to take an easy way out/cheat or straight up cheer from the sidelines instead of putting the work in themselves.
It’s a symptom of global culture… period. It’s just surprising at times how “comfort culture/world is relative abundance compared to the past” bleeds into everything including areas that appeared to be more secluded from the mainstream.
100% man. The level of effort and passion I see in my gym is laughably low. And to add insult to injury, they're putting that 0 effort and passion into optimal bro exercises when they haven't even built their first 15-20lbs of muscle.
I see this all the time in gym. MFs lifting the same weight 3x12, with the same fast af tempo and no signs of slowing down in sight and expect to get big. Everybody wanna get jacked but nobody is willing to put in the effort.
On the contrary I don't think there's many people who are lifting the same weight gor 3x12 with no reduction alteration to form, who have the desire to "get bigger". That sounds like maintainenance work. But I do see many people go to failure around 12 and be able to reach failure with the same rep count. Alot of people have more muscular endurance than they do explosive strength.
That was an exceptionally well-expressed message, Alex. Thank you! For me, as a long-time lifter in my 40s and with two young children, it’s a balancing act between the hardcore mindset and my body’s increasing need for recovery. Still, will keep raging against the dying of the light!
Bro this is EXACTLY what I was thinking man. Just in the gym the other day and TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THEIR PHONES. While I was there getting mentally damaged by my workout, they were on Snapchat LMFAO. TRAIN HARD OR DONT TRAIN AT ALL. Love your message alex, been following for a while.
Been lurking on your channel for months, you earned my sub with this one. Been hearing too much noise in this space when in reality it’s simple and intuitive
I love the point made about the exercise tier lists being used as an example when fitness influencers put excercise that didn’t build their physique above ones that did. Like how people will say a chest press is far superior than a bench press.
I think the most damaging mindset shift that happened was people looking for more efficient ways to train while thinking, “How can I find a way to make my training EASY for the SAME gains?” When they should be thinking: “How can I train more efficiently so that I can train HARD and get MORE results?” These are the people who, if they had access to a gravity chamber like Vegeta would think, “Hooray! Now I can take it easy and make the same progress I was making before going harder.”
Hey, Alex, its been awhile since i commented around here. Last year i struggled a lot with depression and I still take medication but I am also FINALLY getting back to the gym with laser focus. This video lit a fire in me once again!! Thank you
In my opinion this is one of your best video's yet. There is a lot to un-pack, I am amazed at how a lot of the kids today have no idea how hard the old school lifters like George Hackenschmit, Bob Hoffman, George Jowett, and Fred Roland worked out, and how strong they were. As a kid, my hero's were Steve Reeves, Reg Park, Reg Lewis, Dave Draper, Vince Gironda, and John Grimek. I also think that drugs or steroids wrecked the sport of bodybuilding. I consider myself a student of "physical Culture, and Physical culture is about obtaining "health and strength". Very different than the drug bodybuilders on you tube.
Love the differentiation with the term "Physical Culture". I may need to bring back that term because it accurately represents what we stand for. Your heroes also inspire me, those were real men.
@@AlexLeonidas I thought you were a student of "physical Culture" when I saw some of your video's on your channel. The chest expander was the first work out equipment I ever got, back when I was around 10 years old. That and doing push up's was one of the reason's I was a lot stronger than my size showed. Also, I have a theory on the chest expander. The reason it fell out of favor was most of the chest expanders were not built that well. Plastic handles, and three springs as a max. Now with Robert Baraban's Chest Expander it is made solid, and you can add springs. Add "The Rolland" Robert Baraban's Chest Expander to the work out plus the foot handle, and anyone can do a serious workout with, or without weights! And it is not a toy chest expander like many can buy today! At 66, I work out 7 days a week with the chest expander, and three days a week I work out - full body with weights in my basement gym. My nutrition is meat, cheese, raw milk and eggs.🥩🥚🥓🍗🍖🧀🍶 Best ahead, cheers!
I think the word optimal fucked my generation of lifters. Science is good, but the basis of science is that is meant to be challenged. The lifter that is consistent, puts the effort and is not afraid to explore will always be the best lifter. It is that simple, you can make mistakes, they will teach you and make you better
Also, no-one ever thinks about what they mean with optimal. Optimal for what? Hypertrophy? Strength? Where does this fit in the whole training routine? There is too much variables to just call a lift optimal without giving context.
For example: Deadlifts definitely are optimal. They provide high stimulus for hypertrophy and are great for strength gains if needed. Yes, one needs to supplement it if hypertrophy is the goal since it's too taxing to spam multiple times a week, but they're definitely worth it. But the "optimal bro" will say that it has low SFR and it doesn't stretch "the muscle" (
@@paavoilves5416Optimal bros are afraid of deadlifts, despite all the old school greats doing deadlifts. They build thickness in your back like no other lift.
@@lashedandscorned Yep. I've been doing deficit RDL's for a couple months now, focusing on the stretch etc. Switched it to deficit deadlifts this monday and my back was hella sore for like three days!
Since listening to you I got the best gains of my life. I'm now at the middle of a bulk heavier than ever and still look leaner than I've looked 15 pounds less few years ago. Thank you Alex!
Thank you for your Service Alex, I’ve been watching your for 5 Years now, you saved me from that Athlean-X Skinny Pencil Neck Phase in the beginning and introduced me to old school training & the Noble Natty Community. To serve lost beginners like I was once, I‘ve been uploading consistently videos that would‘ve helped me a long time ago, aspiring to reach the level of experience to spread advanced knowledge. I want to help expand the message of real lifetime naturals preaching hard shit that work! I couldn‘t imagine myself doing anything else. All thanks to you and all the other noble nattys!
alex thanks to you I an now a late intermediate when it comes to strength and am one of the strongest dudes in gym despite being young, last time around on push day I was logging my lifts when a older friend of mine asked if that was 'necessary'. the same dude saw my amrap set 10 minutes later and was shocked at my progress and claimed that I have 'very good' genetics. but like you said I credit everything to the nuanced way of thinking that made me progress this far.
Bro when I found the Yakuza series in 2018, it gave me a similar kick to DBZ and I've been a big fan ever since. Too underrated, keep grinding brother!
Bro it's so good to see this video. With all the fluff training videos that keep showing up on here, we need something to remind us that the bro's that went as hard as they could in the gym got it right.
Ok I really took this to heart. I realized I just wasn’t training hard enough. today I switched to a strength training routine instead of a hypertrophy routine because I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere. Not only did I up the weight significantly, I found that I could do roughly the same amount of reps I was doing with lighter weights before. Also, I almost felt like I was gonna throw up during today’s workout, and that hasn’t happened in a long time. Thanks for this video!!
Been watching for almost 2 years now back when you went by alpha. You helped me so much by just giving me someone who’s information I can trust and makes complete sense. You installed in me something that is hard to explain but the closest word I can draw to it is intensity. Thank you for your work man seriously
So glad I found your channel at the beginning of my fitness journey🙏🏽definitely help cut out all the fluff/ frauds in the fitness space. Every video packed with straight information
This video has to be watched by all people into lifting!! What a banger, you can feel the raw emotion and love Alex shows while talking. Brilliant video!!.
Bro I fell off about a year after i followed your channel and experienced them crazy gains. Ur Yolked out man! Inspirational shit. You chest caught up with your back and it was always crazy.
It’s akin to the MMO lifecycle - at first, everything is new & exciting; experimentation, individuality, and tenacity are encouraged. Then, as the community gets oversaturated with knowledge, only the ‘most optimal’ is accepted and anything else is shunned. But it’s alright, the pendulum will keep swinging
I want to say that because of your video I've started doing assisted rope climbing. The grip gains are already tangible and my hands are becoming very calloused but completely worth it. Loved your content from day 1.
Very motivational episode, Alex You are right , in the old days we only did compound exercises and the base, new generation waste time with all the machines and exagerated influencers fool people Tried them all out of curiosity, no progress! As I returned to the base, the progress reappeared. ❤
Finally someone else noticed it. Alex seems to have developed a somewhat irritating way of speaking even though his message is perfectly fine and he seems like a genuinely good dude.
@@pardontheleft2692 Irritating? I think hes just passionate about it. This "preacher speech" is pretty common with people who genuinely love what they're talking about
You said what I've been thinking for a while now I train at home because I hate the while gym culture; I only have dumbbells, an Olympic bar with couple of plates, a backpack and a concrete bench - and I have a way better physique than 90% of gymgoers that use all those fancy machines Why? I like to think because I go hard, I scream, yell, almost sometimes weep on some exercises that STING like lat raises; I prioritize form, yes, but also explosiveness, aggressiveness while lifting I blast my alt metal songs on the backyard, the wind blows heavily at night and the passing clouds are the only thing I see when I bench; when it rains, still workout, when it's too cold, still workout Keep preaching the no bs, hard and aggresive style of training, Alex, please
Hey man, just wanted to thank you for this video. I've been in the lifting game for a good ten years but lately I haven't been consistent and I'm not liking lifting that much. Your video inspired me to get to the ground and pump out 100 pushups. I shall get back to my old ways, where it wasn't all about lifting, but it was all about PUSHING my body in every possible way athletically speaking. Lifting, calisthenics, martial arts etc. Old school anime style. Much love my dude, thanks for the positive message
"But Mike Mentzer method" as if there aren't any new research of today's era where it shows that hitting the muscle twice per week introduces more growth.
As an intermediate who loves calisthenics, I needed to hear this. The fact of the matter is that I listened too much to all these science based bros telling me that my ring dips and pull ups were suboptimal. I never cared for optimisation, I cared for development of skill and muscle. I love my calisthenics and I know I can get big with it, but the science bros got in my head and convinced me I'm wrong and I just stopped working out instead of sticking to my guns. Time to get back on the rings and get huge. Thank you Alex for always preaching the basics.
This came at the perfect time, im planning to slowly bulk for one year, been at the same weights for the last years. Deep down knowing that i have to REALLY chase it to get bigger, no more "is it going to hurt my back" and more just getting after it, preach it !
My brother in Iron spitting facts! May the Goku spirit forever fly and guide us to greatness! This right here is the mindset for life, there is no space for weakness you must kill the weak version with bigger muscle and hustle. My next gym session will be an volcanic explosion this world will ever see, witness me when my pump is gonna blow my mind and those looking! 💪
You should do a video on gym accessories, like weight belts for dips/ pull ups, torso belts for deadlifts & general heavy lifting, elbow and knee braces, and others. Tell us the pros and cons, when too use them how too use them etc.
I've noticed the average "trendy" "nice" looking gyms tend to bring a bunch of "soft" gym bros. The more rugged and "old school" gyms tend to bring in folks who are more serious.
5:40 You're going to make me sentimental. Just wanted to properly thank you for all the knowledge you've been sharing for free. I've learnt a lot from you and implemented a lot of your training tips and recommended exercises, just today I tried the Pendulum sissy squat for the first time :) I've always trained at home, too. Thank you, Alex. You're a real gem for the dedicated fitness community :)
Absolutely spectacular video Alex, probably you best rant ever. Thank you for all you do for the community, and inspiring me to keep up with the calisthenics even after finally hitting a gym.
Speaking of spreading the truth... I have noticed that neck training has been getting more popular the last year or so, as well as prioritising pulling over pressing for shoulder health. Both of which you have been preaching for a decade! OG follower here since 2015. Always giving the best advice, keep it up bro.
Hi Alex, do you still do direct neck work or traditional yoke training? Been a viewer from way back in the day and found my way back here after being absent from the fitness world for a while. Respect the grind and all the work you have put in over the years!
Fucking love this guy, been following for what's got to be 10 years now after Candito, and this guy knows wtf he's talking about. Please link up with Chris Jones, you two are TH-cam diamonds.
You've been here since the start and that means the world, wow did 10 years fly. Much love to you, super OG. I'd love to meet Chris this year, he also inspired me early on. I watched him daily way back in high school.
I train at a calisthenics park the majority of the time. Still go to the gym occassionally though. Everyday at the park, I see dudes who are bigger and train harder than anyone I"ve recently seen at my local gym. Amazing how you don't need a machine, or even weight. Just the mental strength to do high volume amrap sets on dips, pullups, pushups, inverted rows, etc. A normal gym goer could never handle the pain of those high rep sets, even if they were strong enough to do them.
You either relish the grind or don't. It's temperamental for the most part although you can modify it to some extent through habit, consistency, etc. Both men and women like us are just on the extreme end of the distribution curve and most social contexts like a commercial gym represent the full spectrum: time wasters, triers, grinders and everything in-between. Also, different gyms have different environments. If you go in trying to beat yourself you're never alone, wrong or in need of some outside stimulus to motivate you (not that there's anything wrong with that). However, it is always a good thing socially to spread the word, rant or otherwise!
Between you, BOM, and GVS I have cut out all the fat from my programming and went back to the basics that work. I have never been a cardio guy but I'm curious and would like to know how to start
![[Gegagedigedagedago] NEW Help Gegagedigedagedago Nugget escape from Nikocado Avocado Challenge](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hJWnwRC2Fz8/mqdefault.jpg)
Is it possible the dedicated just made home gyms during covid? Maybe they should get back in the public eye and show them how it’s done. Or complain that they can’t get in the zone surrounded by pencilnecks and stay away.
You know what, I didn't even consider this point!!!!
Hahahahaha you're absolutely right my man, holy shit that must be what happened. This perfectly explains what's happening in the gyms, which was NOT like this pre-C.
it is what I did. fuck commercial gyms.
its true. I've started working out at late lockdown then over time little by little bought a power rack, a barbell and dumbbell set that goes up to 106kg, i'm still relatively new to lifting, but fueled by insecurities and a drive to become the best, i can never let myself sandbag a single set. either failure or die. I never signed up for a gym since i've got what i need here, and i dont need a 12-station circuit to pointlessly isolate single muscle groups.
thats just me however, the only way to reliably tell is seeing how much gym equipment sales have risen since covid
Nothing like screaming unknown words in a cold garage to build character and passion.
Being able to go Stick-mode in the garage gym makes it hard to go back to a commercial gym
"Many lifters are soft, and do not want to do things that require brutal effort." THAT PART! 💪
Hell yeah bro. Good to see you in here too
That's where weighted pushups pullups and dips come in 💪🏾
brother you are literally on steroids, doing shortcuts while calling others soft
Yeah idk. I beleive I did alot of brutal effort stuff in my mid 20s but probably didn't eat enough or something , never really got good or where I wanted to be , have a really bad hip , can't run anymore, the reward from effort was an illusion in my case.
@@xan187 Quite a claim to make and lets see your physique dude. Bet you a skinny ass dude.
Absolute fax broski. I do not see nobody going hard at my gym, no straining or ugly faces. Dedication leads to Separation one way or another
Sooooo true my man, especially with the faces and grinding. I don't feel the average lifter even knows what failure feels like. True dedication = outlier status.
Dinosaur Training. It is the way.
@@AlexLeonidas i always get looked at weird whjen i give 100% effort. its rly awkward
I lift at home and it's funny bc just yesterday I was taking ad Press to failure and my daughter asked why I'm making ugly faces
Some people find it funny that I yell at the gym, Those same people also cannot lift what I lift. Bring back screaming.
I loved this one brotha - I remember we talked about this a while back.
Much love brotha, been bottling this up for months. The modern gym culture needs a wakeup call, and now is the time.
@@AlexLeonidas Yo Alex you can't really be a DBZ brotha like Omni and myself unless you get some tats! 😅 j/k but yeah DBZ got me obsessed with my own power level 4sho! I pay homage on my channel too.😉#RIPAkira
Oh man that commercial gym point… the best gyms have the worst atmosphere. Spot on. With the basement flooded the last couple weeks I’ve spent more time in the commercial gym, effort levels are disappointing to say the least. Gyms went from hardcore, to only a few big guys, to only a couple guys that even train like they want to be big. Hopefully if the pendulum can swing this way it can swing back
I’m an old man nowadays, but I get stared at when I hit the gym, due to the grunting and breathing I guess. People get intimidated by intensity, for some reason, but that’s what it takes to make progress (or in my case, keep it around as long as possible).
We have a ton of locally owned gyms still. One of them is still known as the bodybuilding and now influencer gym if that's your thing.
Personally I hate that atmosphere so I got to another smaller privately owned gym where it's more chill.
@@thetowndrunk988 I'm one of the few harder working people at the private gym I go to and I always get stared at and I'm thinking to myself "this is just consistent hard work anyone should be able to do".
@@ChicagoScorpion Exactly. It’s the same thing that makes Planet Fitness such a joke. I went there a few times, and got talked to about grunting…..like WTF do you think is gonna happen when you’re really pushing? Grunting comes with straining.
Could you please rename your channel either FloodedBasement or CommercialBodybuilding?
Looking forward to 18" in any case.
Information can’t replace heart.
Word 💯
Information leads to a change of heart
@@apocalypse487 Usually, the inverse is true. Heart pushes a person to acquire information.
Yep. And you can be told something a million times. But realizing it is a whole different thing
The tempo and everything makes this sound like a sermon but I’m here for it
always thought he has a variety of accents that he's used over the years. check out his videos from like 12 years ago, they are the 'gangster' accent. nowadays it's a 'southern baptist preacher' accent.
It's become clearer a bit more paused, so yeah it makes sense lmao
CAN I GET AN AMEN MY BROTHERS@@rinkuhero
@@rinkuherolmao
Everyone turn to the book of gainz chapter 10 verse 1 lol
@@rinkuherowhich kind of gangster? Like Peeky Blinders or the gangs from GTA?
The home gym lighting is elite
DBZ GRAVITY LIGHTING LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Benching in the gravity chamber would be insane
most people won't be able to do bodyweight pushups in the gravity chamber@@motanaibijuu3740
I've been seeing you all the time under Alex's and NH's videos over the past 2 years @MarcoFeldman 😂
@MarcoFeldman Maybe I'm remembering wrong. The point is, I've seen you a lot, to the point that instantly recognized your pfp.
(NH is Natural Hypertrophy)
We at the buffet right now 🤯
The best "hardcore" environment to make gains! 😂😂😂
Watchu got over there Phil
@@donclarence3644 all kinds of protein😂😂
@@donclarence3644sum chick'n
yeuuuuh
yeuuuuuuh look a dat
Hahahah, love that clip
Physique in thumbnail looks absolutely insane Alex. Bravo
Alex, I’d argue you’re one of maybe 3-4 influencers who tell the unbridled truth, and definitely the one to trust for info. You’re exactly right about the grind to go over 315. I got to 315 within a few years. To hit 405 took another 11, plus in my case, it took me getting close to 300 pounds to slay that white whale. The fact you did it at a relatively healthy weight, all while remaining natural, imo makes you the foremost expert on how to grind for progress.
Big respect to you for a decade grind to the big 4 plates!!!! You're on a different level that 99% of lifters will never relate to, and I'd trust your advice over most fitness influencers who brag about their first bouncy, grindy 315.
@@AlexLeonidas Hard work trumps all, brother. No one proves that more than you
Steroid use is getting WAY too normalized around these parts. If you're not watching a video with usage, you're one video recommendation away. Exactly why Alex is such a respected voice.
The shoulder separation during those barbell curls is actually insane
Oh yessss the striations are finally coming in, and it seems like my delts don't store much fat
Look at it!!
I'm 17, late novice and thanks to you I avoided the "optimal exercises" and program hopping trap. When i was listening to the optimal guys, i literally spent over a grand on a dual pulley machine to do their fancy cable motions and avoid the hardcore fundamentals. Made no gains whatsoever, spinned my wheels, skipped workouts. Not to mention being feared mongered by the youtuber we all know of into avoiding not only behind the neck stuff but even wide grip benching. Proud and grateful of having chosen old school, hardcore, long term training in my garage gym with basic equipment (barbell, bench, dumbbells, pullup bar, ghetto pulley). Never looking back !
Cool bro, I‘m 18 and still a beginner, used to do all the optimal cable crap too and there was no progress, now where I almost completely avoid machines there’s literally noticeable progress week to week
Its a symptom of the global culture reflective in gaming, so many people want to take an easy way out/cheat or straight up cheer from the sidelines instead of putting the work in themselves.
That too, modern gaming is a handholding, checkpoint walking simulation.
It’s a symptom of global culture… period.
It’s just surprising at times how “comfort culture/world is relative abundance compared to the past” bleeds into everything including areas that appeared to be more secluded from the mainstream.
Try escape from tarkov@@AlexLeonidas
Alex went from The Meme to The Man right before our eyes. A young master in physical culture
100% man. The level of effort and passion I see in my gym is laughably low. And to add insult to injury, they're putting that 0 effort and passion into optimal bro exercises when they haven't even built their first 15-20lbs of muscle.
Yeah there should be way stronger and more hard working people at gyms than there are now.
That too, even on the "optimal" exercises that allow for greater motor unit recruitment on paper... they still FAIL to train hard!!!
“Like an old school MMO RPG that does not go out of style” MY MAN. As if you weren’t already cool enough, you drop a line like that! 👏🏻
I see this all the time in gym. MFs lifting the same weight 3x12, with the same fast af tempo and no signs of slowing down in sight and expect to get big. Everybody wanna get jacked but nobody is willing to put in the effort.
Everybody wanna get big but nobody wanna lift these heavy ass weights!
@@justin_6381 Its easy to do that, go to failure however less sets must be utilized. Thats what I did.
@@justin_6381 Lightweight baby
Do what works for you. All kinds of training styles / tempos can get me big. Just go hard on each set.
On the contrary I don't think there's many people who are lifting the same weight gor 3x12 with no reduction alteration to form, who have the desire to "get bigger". That sounds like maintainenance work.
But I do see many people go to failure around 12 and be able to reach failure with the same rep count. Alot of people have more muscular endurance than they do explosive strength.
That was an exceptionally well-expressed message, Alex. Thank you! For me, as a long-time lifter in my 40s and with two young children, it’s a balancing act between the hardcore mindset and my body’s increasing need for recovery. Still, will keep raging against the dying of the light!
Bro this is EXACTLY what I was thinking man. Just in the gym the other day and TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THEIR PHONES. While I was there getting mentally damaged by my workout, they were on Snapchat LMFAO. TRAIN HARD OR DONT TRAIN AT ALL. Love your message alex, been following for a while.
Been lurking on your channel for months, you earned my sub with this one. Been hearing too much noise in this space when in reality it’s simple and intuitive
This was music to my ears man. What a speech! Best thing I’ve heard this year. -Gabo
I love the point made about the exercise tier lists being used as an example when fitness influencers put excercise that didn’t build their physique above ones that did. Like how people will say a chest press is far superior than a bench press.
Exactly. The bench press gets crap'd on a lot nowadays but it's built my chest a lot and I've never did dumbbell presses ever.
Builds enormous chest with bench press
Puts a shitty cable press as S-Tier, bench as B or C tier. Absolute lunacy.
This is the most motivating lifting video I have seen in a long time.
I'm honored
We can clearly hear the passion in your words, and it's beautiful! Thanks for all your work Alex, you changed my life.
I think the most damaging mindset shift that happened was people looking for more efficient ways to train while thinking, “How can I find a way to make my training EASY for the SAME gains?”
When they should be thinking: “How can I train more efficiently so that I can train HARD and get MORE results?”
These are the people who, if they had access to a gravity chamber like Vegeta would think, “Hooray! Now I can take it easy and make the same progress I was making before going harder.”
Hey, Alex, its been awhile since i commented around here. Last year i struggled a lot with depression and I still take medication but I am also FINALLY getting back to the gym with laser focus. This video lit a fire in me once again!! Thank you
Volta com o canal irmão, tu era o único BR que trazia conteúdo do nível de qualidade do alex e outros "elite naturals"
In my opinion this is one of your best video's yet. There is a lot to un-pack, I am amazed at how a lot of the kids today have no idea how hard the old school lifters like George Hackenschmit, Bob Hoffman, George Jowett, and Fred Roland worked out, and how strong they were. As a kid, my hero's were Steve Reeves, Reg Park, Reg Lewis, Dave Draper, Vince Gironda, and John Grimek. I also think that drugs or steroids wrecked the sport of bodybuilding. I consider myself a student of "physical Culture, and Physical culture is about obtaining "health and strength". Very different than the drug bodybuilders on you tube.
Love the differentiation with the term "Physical Culture". I may need to bring back that term because it accurately represents what we stand for. Your heroes also inspire me, those were real men.
@@AlexLeonidas I thought you were a student of "physical Culture" when I saw some of your video's on your channel. The chest expander was the first work out equipment I ever got, back when I was around 10 years old. That and doing push up's was one of the reason's I was a lot stronger than my size showed.
Also, I have a theory on the chest expander. The reason it fell out of favor was most of the chest expanders were not built that well. Plastic handles, and three springs as a max. Now with Robert Baraban's Chest Expander it is made solid, and you can add springs.
Add "The Rolland" Robert Baraban's Chest Expander to the work out plus the foot handle, and anyone can do a serious workout with, or without weights! And it is not a toy chest expander like many can buy today!
At 66, I work out 7 days a week with the chest expander, and three days a week I work out - full body with weights in my basement gym.
My nutrition is meat, cheese, raw milk and eggs.🥩🥚🥓🍗🍖🧀🍶 Best ahead, cheers!
People stare at me like I'm a psychopath when I take sets to failure, grunt a tiny bit and make straining faces.
I feel you man, the soft vibe is what's really crazy as hell
They just pussies leave em in the dust brother 💪🏼
yeah but 1 or 2 years from now and they won't be any bigger and you will
I do the same and not a single person even notices that I exist, unless they want to use my machine.
Maybe they feel inferior
I think the word optimal fucked my generation of lifters. Science is good, but the basis of science is that is meant to be challenged. The lifter that is consistent, puts the effort and is not afraid to explore will always be the best lifter. It is that simple, you can make mistakes, they will teach you and make you better
Also, no-one ever thinks about what they mean with optimal. Optimal for what? Hypertrophy? Strength? Where does this fit in the whole training routine? There is too much variables to just call a lift optimal without giving context.
For example: Deadlifts definitely are optimal. They provide high stimulus for hypertrophy and are great for strength gains if needed. Yes, one needs to supplement it if hypertrophy is the goal since it's too taxing to spam multiple times a week, but they're definitely worth it. But the "optimal bro" will say that it has low SFR and it doesn't stretch "the muscle" (
@@paavoilves5416Optimal bros are afraid of deadlifts, despite all the old school greats doing deadlifts. They build thickness in your back like no other lift.
@@lashedandscorned Yep. I've been doing deficit RDL's for a couple months now, focusing on the stretch etc. Switched it to deficit deadlifts this monday and my back was hella sore for like three days!
An old MMORPG that never goes out of style… this man is on OSRS 110%
200m in strength
You already know 💯
@AlexLeonidas afking sandcrabs between sets goes crazy
Buying gf 5k
Since listening to you I got the best gains of my life. I'm now at the middle of a bulk heavier than ever and still look leaner than I've looked 15 pounds less few years ago. Thank you Alex!
Thank you for your Service Alex, I’ve been watching your for 5 Years now, you saved me from that Athlean-X Skinny Pencil Neck Phase in the beginning and introduced me to old school training & the Noble Natty Community.
To serve lost beginners like I was once, I‘ve been uploading consistently videos that would‘ve helped me a long time ago, aspiring to reach the level of experience to spread advanced knowledge.
I want to help expand the message of real lifetime naturals preaching hard shit that work!
I couldn‘t imagine myself doing anything else.
All thanks to you and all the other noble nattys!
alex thanks to you I an now a late intermediate when it comes to strength and am one of the strongest dudes in gym despite being young, last time around on push day I was logging my lifts when a older friend of mine asked if that was 'necessary'. the same dude saw my amrap set 10 minutes later and was shocked at my progress and claimed that I have 'very good' genetics. but like you said I credit everything to the nuanced way of thinking that made me progress this far.
Well done, you'll be a source of inspiration to your younger peers, keep it up man I'm proud of you for embracing THE REAL early on :)
Literally got goosebumps when you talked about DBZ. LOVE THIS!
DBZ still gives me goosebumps, cheers!
we winnin the slam broetry competition with this one 💪
😂😂😂💯
This one really had "whose gona carry the boats" vibes 🌟
Keep up the good work brotha.
Alex, wtf are you doing coming out with this on my rest day? Got me hyped 🤣
Yes, yes more rants! Love it when you tell the truth the passion, just like you used to.
You were already among my favorites in the fitness industry but YAKUZA FAN TOO? HELL YEAH BROTHER!
Kiryu FTW!
Yakuza has such goofy comedy its an amazing game
This is so real Alex. I’m glad from the beginning of my training I had good influences like you, I cannot imagine not training hard.
Yakuza 8 was great. The muscle gains have also been going GREAT thanks to changing up a few things in my training. Keep up the great work
Bro when I found the Yakuza series in 2018, it gave me a similar kick to DBZ and I've been a big fan ever since. Too underrated, keep grinding brother!
Bro it's so good to see this video. With all the fluff training videos that keep showing up on here, we need something to remind us that the bro's that went as hard as they could in the gym got it right.
Pure passion running through your veins mate. Inspirational as always
Ok I really took this to heart. I realized I just wasn’t training hard enough. today I switched to a strength training routine instead of a hypertrophy routine because I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere. Not only did I up the weight significantly, I found that I could do roughly the same amount of reps I was doing with lighter weights before. Also, I almost felt like I was gonna throw up during today’s workout, and that hasn’t happened in a long time. Thanks for this video!!
Been watching for almost 2 years now back when you went by alpha. You helped me so much by just giving me someone who’s information I can trust and makes complete sense. You installed in me something that is hard to explain but the closest word I can draw to it is intensity. Thank you for your work man seriously
Thank you so much man 🙏
Absolutely beautiful, thank you from all my heart for what you do man, I wouldn't be where I am without you
So glad I found your channel at the beginning of my fitness journey🙏🏽definitely help cut out all the fluff/ frauds in the fitness space. Every video packed with straight information
You rock brother!!!!
Now, THIS is seriously motivational! And i can't agree more with you, Alex!
You're such a passionate young man. I highly respect and share your vision. Thank you for your amazing hard work. ✨
Thank you for introducing me to the OHP Alex. I love your style and enthusiasm.
This video has to be watched by all people into lifting!! What a banger, you can feel the raw emotion and love Alex shows while talking. Brilliant video!!.
I'm infatuated with the vision. Absolutely obsessed
Bro I fell off about a year after i followed your channel and experienced them crazy gains. Ur Yolked out man! Inspirational shit. You chest caught up with your back and it was always crazy.
Fell off for 3 months I’m getting back on the horse
It’s akin to the MMO lifecycle - at first, everything is new & exciting; experimentation, individuality, and tenacity are encouraged. Then, as the community gets oversaturated with knowledge, only the ‘most optimal’ is accepted and anything else is shunned. But it’s alright, the pendulum will keep swinging
I want to say that because of your video I've started doing assisted rope climbing. The grip gains are already tangible and my hands are becoming very calloused but completely worth it. Loved your content from day 1.
If I didnt see the work you put in over the last decade Id honestly assume you're enhanced. You're a killer bro, an inspiration.
Thank you OG, the documentation shows everything over 10 years!
"The best gyms are often the worst" Theere is a lot of truth from that statement
Great timing! I was playing some classic wow after the gym and eating my post work out meal and then you posted. Thanks!
Ahhhh what a great way to chill after training hard!
I feel like this video came at a great time, I speak for myself but I'm sure a lot of lifters needed to hear that right now.
bro I became so happy seeing you with a cross neckless!!!! so happy for you. been watching for years
Very motivational episode, Alex You are right , in the old days we only did compound exercises and the base, new generation waste time with all the machines and exagerated influencers fool people Tried them all out of curiosity, no progress! As I returned to the base, the progress reappeared. ❤
8:09 , you know that your training is hardcore when you have to wear safety glasses to not hurt yourself 😂.
why bro speak like a pastor
Finally someone else noticed it. Alex seems to have developed a somewhat irritating way of speaking even though his message is perfectly fine and he seems like a genuinely good dude.
I think he should lean into it it would be fun. Amen.
@@pardontheleft2692 Irritating? I think hes just passionate about it. This "preacher speech" is pretty common with people who genuinely love what they're talking about
Because he's a minister of gains.
Because this is the iron church and he is giving a sermon 🙌🏼 we're all gonna make it brah
You said what I've been thinking for a while now
I train at home because I hate the while gym culture; I only have dumbbells, an Olympic bar with couple of plates, a backpack and a concrete bench - and I have a way better physique than 90% of gymgoers that use all those fancy machines
Why? I like to think because I go hard, I scream, yell, almost sometimes weep on some exercises that STING like lat raises; I prioritize form, yes, but also explosiveness, aggressiveness while lifting
I blast my alt metal songs on the backyard, the wind blows heavily at night and the passing clouds are the only thing I see when I bench; when it rains, still workout, when it's too cold, still workout
Keep preaching the no bs, hard and aggresive style of training, Alex, please
Hey man, just wanted to thank you for this video. I've been in the lifting game for a good ten years but lately I haven't been consistent and I'm not liking lifting that much.
Your video inspired me to get to the ground and pump out 100 pushups.
I shall get back to my old ways, where it wasn't all about lifting, but it was all about PUSHING my body in every possible way athletically speaking. Lifting, calisthenics, martial arts etc. Old school anime style.
Much love my dude, thanks for the positive message
at this point, there are more gain killers than makers xdxdxd.
In this modern gym culture, there's some truth to that statement. Scary stuff.
"Training is KILLING your gains."
- Athleanx
I think it's more so that training is much easier to mess up than to get right, at least for beginners
"But Mike Mentzer method" as if there aren't any new research of today's era where it shows that hitting the muscle twice per week introduces more growth.
@@kaprelim8135 By now, we all know that the training hard aspect is what makes Mentzer's method work, not the 1 set aspect.
As an intermediate who loves calisthenics, I needed to hear this. The fact of the matter is that I listened too much to all these science based bros telling me that my ring dips and pull ups were suboptimal. I never cared for optimisation, I cared for development of skill and muscle. I love my calisthenics and I know I can get big with it, but the science bros got in my head and convinced me I'm wrong and I just stopped working out instead of sticking to my guns.
Time to get back on the rings and get huge. Thank you Alex for always preaching the basics.
Excellent video bro, saying facts time and time again. Great community here and we're all in for gains💪
This came at the perfect time, im planning to slowly bulk for one year, been at the same weights for the last years. Deep down knowing that i have to REALLY chase it to get bigger, no more "is it going to hurt my back" and more just getting after it, preach it !
Your videos and information are greatly appreciated brother
I much appreciate your support brother
Keep it up Alex thank you for all your content bro!
It's my pleasure to serve, thank you Dominic!
My brother in Iron spitting facts! May the Goku spirit forever fly and guide us to greatness! This right here is the mindset for life, there is no space for weakness you must kill the weak version with bigger muscle and hustle. My next gym session will be an volcanic explosion this world will ever see, witness me when my pump is gonna blow my mind and those looking! 💪
You should do a video on gym accessories, like weight belts for dips/ pull ups, torso belts for deadlifts & general heavy lifting, elbow and knee braces, and others. Tell us the pros and cons, when too use them how too use them etc.
Currently grinding that last 15% at age 45. The effort required is *indescribable* your insight adds to my mind power 🙏🏻
I've noticed the average "trendy" "nice" looking gyms tend to bring a bunch of "soft" gym bros.
The more rugged and "old school" gyms tend to bring in folks who are more serious.
5:40 You're going to make me sentimental.
Just wanted to properly thank you for all the knowledge you've been sharing for free. I've learnt a lot from you and implemented a lot of your training tips and recommended exercises, just today I tried the Pendulum sissy squat for the first time :) I've always trained at home, too.
Thank you, Alex. You're a real gem for the dedicated fitness community :)
Thank you Santiago, I'm proud of you for embracing the hardcore mindset and exercises :)
Absolutely spectacular video Alex, probably you best rant ever. Thank you for all you do for the community, and inspiring me to keep up with the calisthenics even after finally hitting a gym.
Speaking of spreading the truth... I have noticed that neck training has been getting more popular the last year or so, as well as prioritising pulling over pressing for shoulder health. Both of which you have been preaching for a decade! OG follower here since 2015. Always giving the best advice, keep it up bro.
Excellent video! Preach!
Spot on video man you nailed it
My man, let the old school vibe shine brighter than ever!
adding this video into my gym music playlist.
12:20 - 13:10 is Alex's poem titled "I get off to hard training." Haha. What a work of poetry, it is art my friend.
Absolutely love this rant! had me laughing out loud and so true Alex, respect and thanks for all your knowledge!
God damn looking crazy in that thumbnail. Print and frame it bro you're looking amazing!
Someone once said: TikTok exercises won't make you look huge.
Well said!!
tom platz goin' ham to - If Ever You're in My Arms Again is just 👌
Hi Alex, do you still do direct neck work or traditional yoke training? Been a viewer from way back in the day and found my way back here after being absent from the fitness world for a while.
Respect the grind and all the work you have put in over the years!
Thank you, I needed to hear this 💪🏼
Fucking love this guy, been following for what's got to be 10 years now after Candito, and this guy knows wtf he's talking about. Please link up with Chris Jones, you two are TH-cam diamonds.
Whatever happened to Candito and Chris Jones
@@StrongerThanBigfoot Chris Jones is still here just not on pump chasers. I dont know what happened to Candito though.
You've been here since the start and that means the world, wow did 10 years fly. Much love to you, super OG. I'd love to meet Chris this year, he also inspired me early on. I watched him daily way back in high school.
Well said brother , I tend to comment only when I disagree but I feel like this one was very well spoken
Most people I know at my gym,
don't want to squat, overhead press or do pull ups.
Always looking for the easy options.
I train at a calisthenics park the majority of the time. Still go to the gym occassionally though. Everyday at the park, I see dudes who are bigger and train harder than anyone I"ve recently seen at my local gym. Amazing how you don't need a machine, or even weight. Just the mental strength to do high volume amrap sets on dips, pullups, pushups, inverted rows, etc. A normal gym goer could never handle the pain of those high rep sets, even if they were strong enough to do them.
Such accurate observations my man!!!
Has been some time I've been that motivated by something. Thank you Alex
Thanks for the extra motivation Alex.
You either relish the grind or don't. It's temperamental for the most part although you can modify it to some extent through habit, consistency, etc. Both men and women like us are just on the extreme end of the distribution curve and most social contexts like a commercial gym represent the full spectrum: time wasters, triers, grinders and everything in-between. Also, different gyms have different environments. If you go in trying to beat yourself you're never alone, wrong or in need of some outside stimulus to motivate you (not that there's anything wrong with that). However, it is always a good thing socially to spread the word, rant or otherwise!
Love the passion, and I feel represented here. Awesome message!
Great content! New Sub, yeah everyone at gym are too busy on their phones or just hanging out. Nobody putting in hard work, I don't know any other way
Between you, BOM, and GVS I have cut out all the fat from my programming and went back to the basics that work. I have never been a cardio guy but I'm curious and would like to know how to start
I just love the level of Passion and intense in this video! Awsome video alex every lifter in the world should watch that! GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER❤