John, (Please).. Can you do a video on how to get first strong enough or to be strong to do pull-ups? I am quite heavy but I can do rows with a serious weight on the machine but I can't do pull- ups. If I lose weight, still I can't do pull-ups, no idea why. In the high-school I could do a few but were hard even then when I was ''skinny''.
Me-Hi maybe check out a calesthenics guy for pull up tutorial (Al Kavadlo, Daniel Vadnal etc.) just a thought, also start with bands for assist. Pull ups are very technique orientated too many people use arms instead of lats. I’m no expert but that’s what I’ve found. 👍
I found his channel after he died. I'm so glad I found it. He sounds like such a good person. They say only the good die young. He missed out on cancer.
Why I subscribed to this channel: 1. you don’t overcomplicate things. 2. you don’t regurgitate the same information that a lot of people do. 3. you are humble unlike a lot of bodybuilders/fitness people.
I have trained for fifty years now countless surgeries and medical issues back at it...accidentally found your site...my friend you and I think exactly the same...it validates what I have come to know...
John you’re channel is incredible. The logic is always there. Very easy to understand as a rational guy who likes science-backed and expirience-backed evidence. You educate and inspire me and many others. Im only 19 but I use your principals everyday. I always try to listen to my body and sometimes its best to take an extra day off opposed to pushing it and getting hurt or having a shitty session and recovery
First off I want to say that it is fantastic to see you're doing better John! You are one of the most even-keeled unbiased informative and above all kind-hearted individuals in the fitness and bodybuilding community that runs a fantastic TH-cam channel. Secondly I want to thank you for all the information that you put forth to help everybody become a better version of themselves and to obtain the fitness and physique goals that they set safely. Lastly I want to say that I think it is absolutely awesome that you put your son in your videos doing yo-yo stunt tricks! Coming from a father of a four-year-old boy, the father-son bond is something completely magical and when cultivated properly forms a lifetime connection that is unmatchable! Keep doing what you doing brother you're on a great trajectory and you're helping more people than you know
John, I wanted to share my experience, I’m 56 and strongest I’ve ever been. Especially legs/back. After 25 years toiling away progressively overloading with heavy weights low reps causing many related joint/back issues, I finally realized something so basic it’s embarrassing to admit. For me, If I could not complete compound exercises using just body weight with full range of motion squeezing at top every rep, I was wasting my time. So, for one year, I restarted and began with body weight squats with good form, tons of lunges, Bulgarian lunges, push-ups , core exercises , etc. I found my weak area for squats was at bottom, now it’s my strongest. After reaching 150 squats per day, 150 push ups, in sets, etc I began adding weight and I was blown away how quickly my progression happened. My legs look great (can finally see all quadricep heads, separated) I have zero joint issues and feel strong with a spring I’m my step. There’s something to be said about starting over with basics. I’m living proof of that. You’re an inspiration and I love your channel.
Hey Evan, I'm 16 and I started lifting about 6 months ago. Although I have seen clear and consistent progression and it is quite early, I feel that I am not capatalizing on my early lifting gains and am not getting results as fast as I can. Would you say that doing calisthenic exercises as you mentioned would be better for me to gain strength faster?
@@shoryahasiza3954 From my personal experience, I would highly recommend some calisthenics in your routine. Focus on slow and controlled movements squeezing at top. Especially legs. For me, it was the small change needed that triggered strength and muscle separation gains. Try it and see. Good luck!
The section on overtraining ,and training when not fully recovered I fully agree with. When you're young just starting out on the competitive powerlifting road,its so easy to overtrain due to enthusiasm and wanting to lift those big numbers. The times I've trained, when I still ache due to the previous training session like an idiot, are too numerous to mention.I know it's difficult when you've got the bug, but its important to try to control it. This man is so much like my coach ,in attitude and direct approach. When your coach makes you stop sit down, teaches you to think and analyse more, you know you have a good coach. Lifting is hard, but self control and self analysis is harder!
Ive been searching and searching for good answers when it comes to weight lifting. Since I’m fairly new at it. Every channel I’ve stumbled upon makes it SO COMPLICATED! It almost discouraged me from even starting weight training. The way you explain things makes it so simple to understand. Thank you so much!
spot on with these recommendations! one thing about frequency: I think it is possible to squat/bench/... 3 times a week but not always super hard. Just one hard session and 2 medium sessions tend to work for me
I've learned recently number five is super important bc the stronger you get, the longer you need to recover. I switched from a three day split (Push, Pull, Legs) to a four day split (Chest/Tri, Back/Bi, Delts, Legs).
@@justanerdwholiftweights4061 your delta will struggle badly if you train them on chest day. Try: back, chest, arms, shoulders, legs.... then 2 off days
Look at this youngsters in your gym. They don't accept any advice. ( anyway, when I have been in my teenage years, I knew everything as well ). I'm 57 and ,,gyming'' for over 40 years.
I agree, #4 is where your Genius is evident. Watching your exercise selection training other athletes it is clear that your rationale and understanding of exercise order and intensity is above and beyond.
This guy is a real peoples coach without and bullshit or plug, refreshing. Coach Greg has taught me alot and i went from 55%bodyfat to 15.5 now lifetime natural bodybuilder now.
What's been successful for me so far is, each month i do a 1RM lift for all compound lifts. I then calculate all my working sets off of the 1RM. Each month I seem to put 5-10 lbs on my lifts so the next month I will be training slightly heavier then the previous month. Then come 1RM time I am able to lift/push more (so far). It's been a slow but steady process for making progress. In it for the process.
John Meadows, Zyzz, Greg Plitt, Luke Sandoe, Dallas McCarver, Ritch Piana, All taken to soon . All those guys were awesome in there own ways. All helped and inspired people to be the best person they can be in life RIP 🙏❤️
This is a great video with a lot of valuable information. I watch this every month to keep me on track. Mr. Meadows has left us with so much knowledge. Thank heavens he left these to help us in our great adventure. R.I.P our great mentor.
After two consecutive days of getting back into the gym I feel sore all over so much like you suggest I am not going to the gym today. I really want to but it is for the best to try another day. Listen to your body people.
I did the same thing , only did four days last week , finding it hard to walk at the moment. Been at it 12 months , but working out at home didn't come close to the gym , I gained on chest biceps and triceps , but my legs and back just not as strong.
Everytime I watch your videos I feel like you're directly talking to me, like you literally address all my fitness issues & the greatest thing is that you do this for free out of your kind heart ❤ thank you John Meadows, you are missed but your fitness advice and coaching lives beyond us. Rest In Power 🙌🏽
Really great advice, as always! As a guy who is a year away from hitting 60, I can tell you that rest is getting more and more important, especially when it comes to injury. If my muscles and joints aren't rested and recovered and I try to work them out again, I'm in for a world of hurt. Thanks for what you do, and thanks for those little interludes of your son. I find myself looking for those in every video, always makes me smile.
Man so glad I discovered this channel. Would love seeing more video's focusing on the kinds of things a good strength coach would build his program around. Your content is much appreciated!
The fact that Alexander was doing that crazy trick right in front of the double glass doors tells me he’s both the skill and the confidence to pull off the trick like a boss. Thanks for sharing these tips John! You’re the best on TH-cam. No question about it
I'm lucky to be in a state where they're open now. When this thing started I was living in south Dakota they only shut down gyms for like 3 weeks back in april.
When I train chest, I start with warm ups. I get my form down with the bar doing 2 sets of 15 then my formula is to take my goal weight of 200lbs subtract the bar (45lbs)÷by 4= roughly 40lbs. I did the bar twice and now I add 40lbs so I'm at 85lbs do that 10 add 45lbs(round up) do 10reps add 45 do 8-10reps and then I do 200lbs for 3 to 5. I'm currently then stripping plates off by the odd numbers and going till failure on each set till all plates are gone. I feel like this has helped me tremendously. I'm 4weeks back in gym and I could only bench 145lbs like 5 times and now I'm reping 200lbs for 3 sets. I only train chest once a week.
Really good list. Exercise selection - training the right accessories and movements to aid the primary lifts, are the toughest. Becos u don’t know what u don’t know, especially on your form breakdowns.
It's the best information I get. I listen to few guys. This guys got the best feel. Not just a professional, but a good delivery. It just feels like it's coming from a good place. No ego.
The 2s,3s, and 5s fives make me cautious. If my body says no, I tend to listen, which is why I only do the the low reps once a week and keep the reps high all other days. I also do some yin yoga in the morning which is all about slow stretching and joint work, which actually helps.
Alright, hi John. My coach the one that did over 1,000 pound deadlift natty, he trains a lot different too. One of the tricks is to rep it out on your last set to failure, accessory work helps a lot too for strength and keeps you safe.
Love hearing those old school stories. You're already looking bigger, must be an extra bowl of cereal :) If you possible, make a video of your experiences at West Side Barbell. I remember you mentioning Chuck Vogelpohl's intensity and seeing crazy stuff in there.
What a great guy. John could have withheld all this information and charged money for it all because it’s so valuable but he chose to share it for free with the world. Only the good die young
Neat tips man. I tried the frequency by training my bench 3 times a week and find it prone to injury cuz my shoulder is always sore from the heavy lifting.
As a dad I love that he always showed off his kids interests ...like nothing to do with the video AT ALL ..just purely because he was a proud dad. RIP man.
I'm not working out like "crazy", my aim isn't too look big or similar. What I do want is strength and stamina, I follow your tips and videos and yes, they do help. But I'm not young I'm like 40+ and have a high metabolism, very high actually.. So I have to eat food to get more fat into my body. I do notice a strength increase, I did use to train at a gym (but since we are in lockdown - no gyms open nearby). I'm now on vacation, and use dumbells at home. Also, have a friend who helps a lot. But thanks for all the tips so far!
I'm 65 been lifting 45 yrs, had joint issues a few times, do mostly body weight (do have weighted vest) your principals work with how i train even without steel, thank you
I kind of already read everything he said in internet articles and whatnot but I kept listening because he's such a great person. You just like listening to his advice you know. He's the uncle you never had ❤️!
When I can go back to the gym I will start training in a powerbuilding style, 6 reps on compund lifts and 12-15 on other movements, i do want to get a little stronger 😁
Set up a full body program where everything gets worked out twice a week. First day lift for each muscle group focused more on strength and heavier lifts. Second day for each group is more for development. In doing this you cover more than one style training( each being just as important) and you get volume/ frequency.
I'm not a bodybuilder but this is my favorite bodybuilder! Not because I watched his competitions but because of his TH-cam channel, he is a wealth of knowledge and vary helpful!
Outstanding as always John and I continue to love the insight into weight training too😁. We now need to see the walking the dog and cat in the cradle moves from that Fantastic son of yours❤️. Going to add a strength day each week and get back to really focusing on what I’m doing, progressive overload etc. realize even though I keep track of everything I have become lazy in progressing everything. Thank you
Man that's a good point. My chest tendon and actually part of what feels like my biceps tendon bothers me when I bench every week but if I alternate it with incline every other week it does ok. So maybe the frequency is still to often for that much strain on my tendons vs muscle recovery. 🤔
Honestly, I think I have a pretty solid way I do basically every lift. I start light, go til failure 12-30 reps. Add weight, go to failure 8-12 reps. Add weight, go to failure 3-6 reps. Hit my max with a spotter. Then go back to very slow, light reps 135 on bench til failure usually between 5-10 reps. I do full body workouts, or at bare minimum a push/pull split. But I always incorporate compound lifts to hit either squats and bench, or deadlift and bench at the beginning of my workout every time I hit the gym. I have gained lots of strength and lots of size using this formula.
This helped. As much because it reinforced things I've found out the hard way as anything else. Frankly, hearing it out of you John, who I do consider an authority, really solidifies things for me. Now, I'm old(67). Not going to get bigger. Just want to keep from getting weaker, or as much as possible. I find these videos invaluable. Thanks again.
I've spent the last 10 years on and off lifting, running, and other random shit. Always been semi chubby, semi muscular, never happy with the way I looked. I finally decided a few months ago to just go all in. Lift 6 to 7 days a week, big compounds lifts. PPL, eat like my appetite wants to, instead of worrying and torturing myself. I've definitely put on some bad weight, but I feel so strong and way more confident. I'm gonna just keep to this, and try to lose some weight in the spring. I wish I wasn't so affraid of the extra weight for the past 10 years.
Yo John meadows since my gym reopened i am getting stronger at every workout even tho i am on a small calorie deficit still getting stronger i think quarantine was a deaload for me! Edit: before quarantine i was stuck at the same weight and not getting stronger working out 6x a week never resting i think rest is a good thing now!
When I was my strongest there was a guy my friends and I became friends with that guided our training. There was 4-6 of us that would be training Monday-Friday together including him. He had us do 5 sets of everything with our reps being 10, 8, 6, 4, and max for 2. We did this even with supersets. With this training and pretty good nutrition I was able to bring my bench to 365lbs for 2 reps weighing 162lbs. We would stack dumbbells between the cables doing push downs. I shoulder pressed at least 95lbs if not 100’s, bench with 135lb dumb bells, military press behind the head with 265. My buddy was about 215 and benched 535 for 2 same day I hit 365…..we were young and thankfully didn’t get injured and worked very hard. It was nice to have the balance of reps and not just staying high or low
Consistency and not burning yourself out when starting new things and going harder once primed goes far. And focusing on the core exercises. Healing and timing of your exercises.
5 reasons you aren't HUGE: th-cam.com/video/tJKnLBH2ZOs/w-d-xo.html
John,
(Please).. Can you do a video on how to get first strong enough or to be strong to do pull-ups?
I am quite heavy but I can do rows with a serious weight on the machine but I can't do pull- ups.
If I lose weight, still I can't do pull-ups, no idea why. In the high-school I could do a few but were hard even then when I was ''skinny''.
Spot on advice again, also if it don't feel right (more so when your older) check your form or drop the weight if need be.
Me-Hi maybe check out a calesthenics guy for pull up tutorial (Al Kavadlo, Daniel Vadnal etc.) just a thought, also start with bands for assist. Pull ups are very technique orientated too many people use arms instead of lats. I’m no expert but that’s what I’ve found. 👍
Glad you are back John.. appreciate all your humble honest advice. IMO, one of the best on you tube. Stay healthy and God bless you and family 🙏🏼💪🏻👊🏻
@@MikesStory1990 get strong in the lat machine
Start doing bodyweight rows
Train with different grips
Lose fat
Repeat till goal is reached
Rest in peace John. Thank you for being the best man in the fitness industry.
He’s dead
He’s not
I found his channel after he died. I'm so glad I found it. He sounds like such a good person.
They say only the good die young. He missed out on cancer.
@@stargazer2042 he had a heart attack
@@stargazer2042 man I didn’t even know till just now :(
John Meadows just seems like a really good man. Glad you're feeling better John.
Genuinely genuine dude.
@@GVS dr.swole , you and natural hypertrophy on every freaking channel 😂😂😂
Totally agree, he’s humble and it seems he enjoys teaching. I always follow his advice, and am getting stronger!!!!!!
I am!
For real. I'm not even into bodybuilding (my focus is on strength), but I watch his videos anyways because he's like a jacked Mr. Rogers.
1: Rep ranges
2: Volume
3: Progressive overload
4: Exercise Selection
5: Frequency
5.5. Gear
@@user-iz7zy7rx9t when you start you don't want gear
@@MartinTeerly ì³p
@@MartinTeerly gear
Thankyou for saving me 15 minutes of my life!
Why I subscribed to this channel:
1. you don’t overcomplicate things.
2. you don’t regurgitate the same information that a lot of people do.
3. you are humble unlike a lot of bodybuilders/fitness people.
He was just a great person. Really sad to see him pass.
Damnit John, you will be hella missed. Will continue to watch your videos over and over. R.i.p champ
@STRONGEST NATTY IN THE WORLD. 🤣🤣🤣
@@strongestnattyever-videos2247 What's your problem??
Great video John. RIP.
Came for the gains, ended up on amazon ordering a yo-yo.
ha!
Think of it this way you gained a yo-yo
Yeet
Yo-yos are like jump ropes for the fingers
@@FinalBoss0 💵 popo oo
"All right Hi everybody " ... Liked
"All right Hi everybody "... One of the soothing words to hear😁🔥
Such a humble guy and great support for body building rest in peace John ❤
I have trained for fifty years now countless surgeries and medical issues back at it...accidentally found your site...my friend you and I think exactly the same...it validates what I have come to know...
John you’re channel is incredible. The logic is always there. Very easy to understand as a rational guy who likes science-backed and expirience-backed evidence. You educate and inspire me and many others. Im only 19 but I use your principals everyday. I always try to listen to my body and sometimes its best to take an extra day off opposed to pushing it and getting hurt or having a shitty session and recovery
you have a bright future ahead of you!
First off I want to say that it is fantastic to see you're doing better John! You are one of the most even-keeled unbiased informative and above all kind-hearted individuals in the fitness and bodybuilding community that runs a fantastic TH-cam channel. Secondly I want to thank you for all the information that you put forth to help everybody become a better version of themselves and to obtain the fitness and physique goals that they set safely. Lastly I want to say that I think it is absolutely awesome that you put your son in your videos doing yo-yo stunt tricks! Coming from a father of a four-year-old boy, the father-son bond is something completely magical and when cultivated properly forms a lifetime connection that is unmatchable! Keep doing what you doing brother you're on a great trajectory and you're helping more people than you know
I love how soothing and calming is Johns voice over the weight slamming sounds around him, perfect balance.
John, I wanted to share my experience, I’m 56 and strongest I’ve ever been. Especially legs/back. After 25 years toiling away progressively overloading with heavy weights low reps causing many related joint/back issues, I finally realized something so basic it’s embarrassing to admit. For me, If I could not complete compound exercises using just body weight with full range of motion squeezing at top every rep, I was wasting my time. So, for one year, I restarted and began with body weight squats with good form, tons of lunges, Bulgarian lunges, push-ups , core exercises , etc. I found my weak area for squats was at bottom, now it’s my strongest. After reaching 150 squats per day, 150 push ups, in sets, etc I began adding weight and I was blown away how quickly my progression happened. My legs look great (can finally see all quadricep heads, separated) I have zero joint issues and feel strong with a spring I’m my step. There’s something to be said about starting over with basics. I’m living proof of that. You’re an inspiration and I love your channel.
Hey Evan, I'm 16 and I started lifting about 6 months ago. Although I have seen clear and consistent progression and it is quite early, I feel that I am not capatalizing on my early lifting gains and am not getting results as fast as I can. Would you say that doing calisthenic exercises as you mentioned would be better for me to gain strength faster?
@@shoryahasiza3954 From my personal experience, I would highly recommend some calisthenics in your routine. Focus on slow and controlled movements squeezing at top. Especially legs. For me, it was the small change needed that triggered strength and muscle separation gains. Try it and see. Good luck!
The section on overtraining ,and training when not fully recovered I fully agree with. When you're young just starting out on the competitive powerlifting road,its so easy to overtrain due to enthusiasm and wanting to lift those big numbers. The times I've trained, when I still ache due to the previous training session like an idiot, are too numerous to mention.I know it's difficult when you've got the bug, but its important to try to control it.
This man is so much like my coach ,in attitude and direct approach. When your coach makes you stop sit down, teaches you to think and analyse more, you know you have a good coach.
Lifting is hard, but self control and self analysis is harder!
Bodybuilder giving legit tips on strength- mad respect
Ive been searching and searching for good answers when it comes to weight lifting. Since I’m fairly new at it. Every channel I’ve stumbled upon makes it SO COMPLICATED! It almost discouraged me from even starting weight training. The way you explain things makes it so simple to understand. Thank you so much!
Welcome aboard!
Someone please do a "alright ,hi everybody" compilation lol
it's coming :)
Where the backguy
Always solid advice and he seemed like a really genuine nice guy😢. So sorry when he passed
spot on with these recommendations! one thing about frequency: I think it is possible to squat/bench/... 3 times a week but not always super hard. Just one hard session and 2 medium sessions tend to work for me
yes in that scenario it's doable.
I would break at that frequency, specifically my elbows and lower back. My elbows will flare up if I press more than 2 times a week.
I like to do 1 day hard and one day moderate a week. Those 2 days of chest exercises is the sweet spot for me!
Start at twice a week, do that for about 4 weeks and if you feel fine add 1 movement in 3x a week and repeat but just 1 movement at a time
For beginners I think that's doable but once RPE 6-8 is around the 450-500 range constantly putting that stress on your body is going to break you
Mr John you re gone but sure as fuck not forgotten…I see your videos on a daily basis…RIP
Very fortunate to have a champion bodybuilder such as John to teach how to do your best in the gym and life in general too
I've learned recently number five is super important bc the stronger you get, the longer you need to recover. I switched from a three day split (Push, Pull, Legs) to a four day split (Chest/Tri, Back/Bi, Delts, Legs).
Same . I also switched from PPL to a 4 day split. Mine is , back, chest & delts , arms , legs.
@@justanerdwholiftweights4061 your delta will struggle badly if you train them on chest day. Try: back, chest, arms, shoulders, legs.... then 2 off days
That is amazing. Young people are really lucky today with that kind of advices.
Look at this youngsters in your gym. They don't accept any advice. ( anyway, when I have been in my teenage years, I knew everything as well ). I'm 57 and ,,gyming'' for over 40 years.
I agree, #4 is where your Genius is evident. Watching your exercise selection training other athletes it is clear that your rationale and understanding of exercise order and intensity is above and beyond.
thank you, it's a big factor that most don't consider
12:25 damn dude! leave some women for the rest of us!
He just finished spaghetti
This guy is a real peoples coach without and bullshit or plug, refreshing. Coach Greg has taught me alot and i went from 55%bodyfat to 15.5 now lifetime natural bodybuilder now.
What's been successful for me so far is, each month i do a 1RM lift for all compound lifts. I then calculate all my working sets off of the 1RM. Each month I seem to put 5-10 lbs on my lifts so the next month I will be training slightly heavier then the previous month. Then come 1RM time I am able to lift/push more (so far). It's been a slow but steady process for making progress. In it for the process.
John Meadows, Zyzz, Greg Plitt, Luke Sandoe, Dallas McCarver, Ritch Piana,
All taken to soon . All those guys were awesome in there own ways. All helped and inspired people to be the best person they can be in life
RIP 🙏❤️
The alright hi everybody is strangely comforting
It is!
This is a great video with a lot of valuable information. I watch this every month to keep me on track. Mr. Meadows has left us with so much knowledge. Thank heavens he left these to help us in our great adventure. R.I.P our great mentor.
8:25 “ if you fell it go for it “ we use to always say that in the 80’s
Thanks for all John...
After two consecutive days of getting back into the gym I feel sore all over so much like you suggest I am not going to the gym today.
I really want to but it is for the best to try another day. Listen to your body people.
if you haven't exercice in a long time you should take it slow or otherwise you will be very sore (the bad kind of sore)
@Chris Waters melee weapons training?
@@John-iu9kl, stocks, knives, and swords.
I did the same thing , only did four days last week , finding it hard to walk at the moment.
Been at it 12 months , but working out at home didn't come close to the gym , I gained on chest biceps and triceps , but my legs and back just not as strong.
So glad these keep coming across my feed. RIP John, thoughts and prayers towards your family
Everytime I watch your videos I feel like you're directly talking to me, like you literally address all my fitness issues & the greatest thing is that you do this for free out of your kind heart ❤ thank you John Meadows, you are missed but your fitness advice and coaching lives beyond us. Rest In Power 🙌🏽
This guy knows his stuff. Straight up. I also like how well-rounded in life is.
Really great advice, as always! As a guy who is a year away from hitting 60, I can tell you that rest is getting more and more important, especially when it comes to injury. If my muscles and joints aren't rested and recovered and I try to work them out again, I'm in for a world of hurt. Thanks for what you do, and thanks for those little interludes of your son. I find myself looking for those in every video, always makes me smile.
I’m 56. I can’t keep up with the workouts of my 22-year-old self. More rest, fewer risks now.
What a Great Guy!
So sad that he is gone.
Man so glad I discovered this channel. Would love seeing more video's focusing on the kinds of things a good strength coach would build his program around. Your content is much appreciated!
More to come!
The fact that Alexander was doing that crazy trick right in front of the double glass doors tells me he’s both the skill and the confidence to pull off the trick like a boss. Thanks for sharing these tips John! You’re the best on TH-cam. No question about it
1 reason I'm not getting stronger:
Gyms are closed due to Corona
Bingo
I'm lucky to be in a state where they're open now. When this thing started I was living in south Dakota they only shut down gyms for like 3 weeks back in april.
@@tshortbull8683 Ah I'm in China. Was legit 3 months of calisthenics bullshit. Sick of dips and pullups.
@@GVS
Gotta do watcha gotta do though
@@GVS true.
Calisthenics can never replace weight training
i feel like this guy is an uncle i never met or something. Such a chill and wholesome bodybuilding expert and teacher. RIP GOAT
When I train chest, I start with warm ups. I get my form down with the bar doing 2 sets of 15 then my formula is to take my goal weight of 200lbs subtract the bar (45lbs)÷by 4= roughly 40lbs. I did the bar twice and now I add 40lbs so I'm at 85lbs do that 10 add 45lbs(round up) do 10reps add 45 do 8-10reps and then I do 200lbs for 3 to 5. I'm currently then stripping plates off by the odd numbers and going till failure on each set till all plates are gone. I feel like this has helped me tremendously. I'm 4weeks back in gym and I could only bench 145lbs like 5 times and now I'm reping 200lbs for 3 sets. I only train chest once a week.
John I love your old school simple approach to this complex world of strength training. Thankyou, your videos will help millions worldwide. Adam, UK
Very welcome
John, I'd just like to say we all love you and thank you for all these videos ❤️
Really good list. Exercise selection - training the right accessories and movements to aid the primary lifts, are the toughest. Becos u don’t know what u don’t know, especially on your form breakdowns.
This is absolutely phenomenal. If only we had such easy access to this knowledge, wisdom and expertise decades ago.
It's the best information I get. I listen to few guys. This guys got the best feel. Not just a professional, but a good delivery. It just feels like it's coming from a good place. No ego.
Appreciate that
The 2s,3s, and 5s fives make me cautious. If my body says no, I tend to listen, which is why I only do the the low reps once a week and keep the reps high all other days. I also do some yin yoga in the morning which is all about slow stretching and joint work, which actually helps.
Awesome advice, thank you. Not enough people talk about lifting heavy too often and the impact it can have on things like the joints.
I wish i would've known this when i was younger. Older and Wiser now. Thanks John.
I can believe I got the best best introduction to Strength advice here, from a non strength training bodybuilder, you’re the man John!
I'd love to workout with him for a session, The amount I learn from his videos alone is mind boggling!
Legit one of the best training videos I've seen, and I've seen A LOT.
Glad you liked it!
I always watch John's videos even if I'm not interested in the subject because he's too wholesome :)
Peepo pepe 😱
Alright, hi John. My coach the one that did over 1,000 pound deadlift natty, he trains a lot different too. One of the tricks is to rep it out on your last set to failure, accessory work helps a lot too for strength and keeps you safe.
Love hearing those old school stories. You're already looking bigger, must be an extra bowl of cereal :)
If you possible, make a video of your experiences at West Side Barbell. I remember you mentioning Chuck Vogelpohl's intensity and seeing crazy stuff in there.
What a great guy. John could have withheld all this information and charged money for it all because it’s so valuable but he chose to share it for free with the world. Only the good die young
Neat tips man. I tried the frequency by training my bench 3 times a week and find it prone to injury cuz my shoulder is always sore from the heavy lifting.
Nah you need 1 heavy day and the rest a little lighter but higher volume depending how your body feels you may go heavy 2 days and light that 1 day.
Every time I watch one of your videos, you solve one of my problems! My knees. Thanks, man!
Gotta admit those sick yoyo tricks caught me off guard
As a dad I love that he always showed off his kids interests ...like nothing to do with the video AT ALL ..just purely because he was a proud dad. RIP man.
Rest in peace legend
man I could never stop watching these videos, miss you old man
I'm not working out like "crazy", my aim isn't too look big or similar.
What I do want is strength and stamina, I follow your tips and videos and yes, they do help.
But I'm not young I'm like 40+ and have a high metabolism, very high actually.. So I have to eat food to get more fat into my body.
I do notice a strength increase, I did use to train at a gym (but since we are in lockdown - no gyms open nearby). I'm now on vacation, and use dumbells at home.
Also, have a friend who helps a lot. But thanks for all the tips so far!
You’re so laid-back I love watching your videos
Hey Mr.John you dropped this
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I'm 65 been lifting 45 yrs, had joint issues a few times, do mostly body weight (do have weighted vest) your principals work with how i train even without steel, thank you
Hi Steve 67 still do powerlifting competitions you can still lift heavy but takes some planning
“Alright Hi John!”
Hope you’re feeling better my man 💪🏼
I can't believe this video doesn't have more views. Great info right here!
Experience at its finest.
What down to earth advice!!! Thanks John, for keeping it real!
I kind of already read everything he said in internet articles and whatnot but I kept listening because he's such a great person. You just like listening to his advice you know. He's the uncle you never had ❤️!
Rest in peace. Thank you for all the wisdom and advice John.
When I can go back to the gym I will start training in a powerbuilding style, 6 reps on compund lifts and 12-15 on other movements, i do want to get a little stronger 😁
Set up a full body program where everything gets worked out twice a week. First day lift for each muscle group focused more on strength and heavier lifts. Second day for each group is more for development. In doing this you cover more than one style training( each being just as important) and you get volume/ frequency.
I'm not a bodybuilder but this is my favorite bodybuilder! Not because I watched his competitions but because of his TH-cam channel, he is a wealth of knowledge and vary helpful!
Outstanding as always John and I continue to love the insight into weight training too😁. We now need to see the walking the dog and cat in the cradle moves from that Fantastic son of yours❤️. Going to add a strength day each week and get back to really focusing on what I’m doing, progressive overload etc. realize even though I keep track of everything I have become lazy in progressing everything. Thank you
Love the way John brakes things down for you. Videos are always informative.
Man that's a good point. My chest tendon and actually part of what feels like my biceps tendon bothers me when I bench every week but if I alternate it with incline every other week it does ok. So maybe the frequency is still to often for that much strain on my tendons vs muscle recovery. 🤔
Great video John. A lot of people have zero clue about how many reps they should do etc...
Tell your kid that was a pretty good outside loop. Keep it up! There's competition for that y'know!👌
Honestly, I think I have a pretty solid way I do basically every lift. I start light, go til failure 12-30 reps. Add weight, go to failure 8-12 reps. Add weight, go to failure 3-6 reps. Hit my max with a spotter. Then go back to very slow, light reps 135 on bench til failure usually between 5-10 reps. I do full body workouts, or at bare minimum a push/pull split. But I always incorporate compound lifts to hit either squats and bench, or deadlift and bench at the beginning of my workout every time I hit the gym. I have gained lots of strength and lots of size using this formula.
My problem is that I yo-yo between strength and hypertrophy focus. It's tough to deprogram your brain from training for fatigue.
This helped. As much because it reinforced things I've found out the hard way as anything else. Frankly, hearing it out of you John, who I do consider an authority, really solidifies things for me. Now, I'm old(67). Not going to get bigger. Just want to keep from getting weaker, or as much as possible. I find these videos invaluable. Thanks again.
Love ya John! Glad to see you’re healthy as a horse now!
I've spent the last 10 years on and off lifting, running, and other random shit. Always been semi chubby, semi muscular, never happy with the way I looked. I finally decided a few months ago to just go all in. Lift 6 to 7 days a week, big compounds lifts. PPL, eat like my appetite wants to, instead of worrying and torturing myself. I've definitely put on some bad weight, but I feel so strong and way more confident. I'm gonna just keep to this, and try to lose some weight in the spring. I wish I wasn't so affraid of the extra weight for the past 10 years.
Reason 1: I just sit on my ass whole day and do nothing but watch TH-cam.
Thank you man. Basically dont be afraid to back down, to avoid injury
John's right bicep-vein has a vein!
Best tips ever learn for strength vs bodybuilding, thanks man
Yo John meadows since my gym reopened i am getting stronger at every workout even tho i am on a small calorie deficit still getting stronger i think quarantine was a deaload for me!
Edit: before quarantine i was stuck at the same weight and not getting stronger working out 6x a week never resting i think rest is a good thing now!
Good stuff
Superb advice and commentary. Thank you.
That thumbnail is hard to swallow John!!😂..... We all were there once😂
When I was my strongest there was a guy my friends and I became friends with that guided our training. There was 4-6 of us that would be training Monday-Friday together including him. He had us do 5 sets of everything with our reps being 10, 8, 6, 4, and max for 2. We did this even with supersets.
With this training and pretty good nutrition I was able to bring my bench to 365lbs for 2 reps weighing 162lbs. We would stack dumbbells between the cables doing push downs. I shoulder pressed at least 95lbs if not 100’s, bench with 135lb dumb bells, military press behind the head with 265.
My buddy was about 215 and benched 535 for 2 same day I hit 365…..we were young and thankfully didn’t get injured and worked very hard. It was nice to have the balance of reps and not just staying high or low
If this video didn't start with "Hi everybody!" I wasn't going to watch it. ;)
Consistency and not burning yourself out when starting new things and going harder once primed goes far. And focusing on the core exercises. Healing and timing of your exercises.
Your sons Yo-Yo skills are insane !