I think that barbell should only be used to work out the lower part of the body and the dumbells upper. Use the barbell for squats and calfs. Good tips.
Around 6 min, are you recommending to train to failure? To build maximum strength, Tsatsouline (Naked Warrior) recommends no more than 5 reps on a moderately difficult exercise where you working around half your max from failure. The idea is to reduce the recovery time and allow you to practice the exercise at much as possible. It seems to work, as I seemed to plateau more when I trained to failure before testing these ideas.
Thanks for the info. I've been interested in getting in shape for a bit for various philosophic, physiological and sociological (read: bone hot chicks.:p). I will be checking out the book. Finally, I third the notion that women with toned bodies are more attractive than skinny women.
@Shezmu Honestly, some dumbbells and that book would be a good idea. There are lots of variations of exercises in that book that don't require a bench.
I haven't tried them, but if you have the money, a pair of adjustable dumbbells might be worth it. You can adjust the weight with a dial and then remove them and they only come out with the appropriate weight plates on them. It's probably the most space efficient solution for dumbbells.
You don't even need to spend $400. I've been going the bodyweight route using the books Naked Warrior and Convict Conditioning (probably sounds like a joke if you haven't heard of it) as guides. I do pull-ups and hanging leg raises at a nearby park, and I have been progressively working on one-arm pushups and one-legged squats over the last couple of months. I might try introduce kettlebells at a later point, but it's useful to have exercises like these that you can do almost anywhere.
@ChannelMikeG That sounds kinda neat, though I have to imagine that dumbbells and a bench expand your options significantly and allow you to train more efficiently. Your own body weight isn't adjustable, for example. Once you can do 15 one legged squats, there's no way to increase the weight.
I imagine it could be great info for someone without the money or space for weight equipment though.
@XOmniverse Yeah, you have to be creative with bodyweight exercises to make progressions. That's one advantage of weights; it's easier to adjust and monitor progress. The difference between a regular push-up and a one-arm pushup is huge. One good way is to progress is adjust elevation for instance (e.g. leaning against table counters and moving to stair steps). I think calisthenics offer good compound exercises which I think is good for beginners for overall fitness and means fewer exercises.
@XOmniverse I've heard several appealing arguments for the incorporation of calisthenics even if you do lift weights. I don't really feel qualified to say a lot about weight lifting since I have very little experience. I've heard several people say that calisthenics have helped with lifting injuries (e.g. like headstand pushups being good for the shoulders). Still you can reach great heights: few can do a one-arm pullup and I've seen videos of people doing weighted pistols (one-leg squats).
I don't know if someone has already discussed this point or not (haven't checked and don't really feel like it) but you shouldn't be dissuaded from joining a gym. A gym can be profitable and you can extrapolate different benefits from than weight-lifting at home. 1. The people: Some people can give very valuable advice, assuming they're willing to talk 2. Spotters: When you want to really push yourself, having a spotter is a must. and 3. The diversity of the equipment.
@Ronnock That seems like sound advice. I just hate being around people when I lift. :)
The nice thing about dumbbells is that there is far less of a need for a spotter, since if things really get that bad, you can just drop them to the sides. It'll be loud, of course, but you won't get injured.
@XOmniverse Heheh, no worries, I'm becoming like that too. I mainly do body-weight exercises now, with some dumbbell training thrown in.
Spotters aren't only for emergencies, they can be for motivation as well as helping you crank out those last couple of reps, so that you're able to really push yourself. But more or less, you're right, just throw the suckers to the wayside when shit hits the fan. Hahah.
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts/experiences/insight with regard to dating if you haven't made such a video already. It's often on the periphery of a lot of topics, but you always seem to avoid going into it too much. It's made me curious; especially because you're a few years (a little more than a few, probably) my senior and I independently agree with you on most other things. The subject is on my mind a lot now -- finding love and value in a mate. Is it not on yours?
@HymerSchmidt I haven't done any videos on dating because its something I know very little about. I could do a video about that of course (the psychology behind my lack of dating experience) but I don't think it would be helpful to someone looking for dating advice.
@sucktdeep I would say for the aims of his video he hit the nail on the head. I've been lifting on and off for the better part of 8 years now and everything in this video is rather common knowledge in the lifting community. Scooby has decent workout videos but I find his ideas on nutrition a little extreme and not helpful to the average new lifter.
@Aero28 Sure dumbbells are useful for the experienced/advanced but newbies shouldn't touch them for at least the first couple of months. Simple compound exercises(with a barbell) are by far the best choice for any beginner.
@sucktdeep That's funny because your the first person I have ever heard say dumbbells are for advanced users.
It doesn't matter what you use, every lift takes a little practice in establishing good technique. As long as your applying sufficient resistance to a muscle you will achieve the goal of lifting by creating micro tears in your muscle. Dumbbell vs Barbell is a matter of preference, not experience.
I found my work outs to be much easier after I started taking creatine (for reasons other than working out). It definitely helps me get more reps in, plus it's very safe and cheap.
Youtube itself is a great source of weightlifting material. A user that goes by "scooby1961" has a very large selection of weightlifting and diet techniques, I used that channel when I began weightlifting and would highly suggest it regardless of your level.
And I second your idea about girls with muscle definition, and would take it a few steps further. The arnold look would be way too much, but I find a girl with a nice muscle toned body to be way more attractive than just a skinny body.
Squats, Bench press, and deadlifts. My first year of lifting, I only used machines and couldn't figure out why I wasn't making gains. A good thing about dumbbells is they let you isolate certain muscles so you can do more to shape them. Diet is also a must.
@discordian420 I think the appeal of machines is that they are less intimidating to a newbie. With dumbbells, you actually have to know things to do with them. That problem can be alleviated with a good book (like the one I suggested in the video).
I honestly don't focus on my diet much, but it's entirely possible that you are right. I don't consider myself a body builder or a serious weight lifter though. I just like being decently strong and in shape, and looking pretty good.
@XOmniverse Fitness (lifting especially) is 80 percent nutrition, 20 percent exercise, IMO. If you aren't going to feed your muscles any protein then you will not see any gains. If you want to make gains and you ignore the nutritional aspect of lifting you can end up getting the opposite results. My favorite thing when I'm on a lifting routine is to get a big 5 pound thing of whey protein. With milk and a packet of splenda they are a great supplement.
Id get a pull up bar too :)
twistedbydsign99 1 year ago
Get a whey protein and a creatine supplement
GuitarLegend327 1 year ago
Yup, dumbbells are amazing. Do you do concentration curls?
ExistentialExistent 1 year ago
@ExistentialExistent I do standing curls where I use both arms at the same time (with a dumbbell in each hand).
XOmniverse 1 year ago
@XOmniverse ok, I've tried both and both are good. I have been doing bar curls lately.
ExistentialExistent 1 year ago
I was never a fan of machines. I use mainly dumb bells and occasionally use the bar for bench presses.
UnschoolingEagle 1 year ago
I use dumbells at home to keep in shape and help with my drumming. this is all very good advice, and I kinda want to pick up that book now!
FrailHumanCondition 1 year ago
The first I tried weightlifting I got seriously injured. So never again. I prefer free running/ parkour.
Gettinghitonattheban 1 year ago
My man.. try insanity. Torrent it if you must. But get it.. it will transform your body make you an athletic lean machine. Its awesome.
kohkane 1 year ago
I think that barbell should only be used to work out the lower part of the body and the dumbells upper. Use the barbell for squats and calfs. Good tips.
wolverine10mm 1 year ago
Cool shirt! :)
philipics 1 year ago
What do you bench out of curiosity?
robshred66 1 year ago
@robshred66 Right now I use two 25 pound dumbbells.
XOmniverse 1 year ago
Around 6 min, are you recommending to train to failure? To build maximum strength, Tsatsouline (Naked Warrior) recommends no more than 5 reps on a moderately difficult exercise where you working around half your max from failure. The idea is to reduce the recovery time and allow you to practice the exercise at much as possible. It seems to work, as I seemed to plateau more when I trained to failure before testing these ideas.
ChannelMikeG 1 year ago
Thanks for the info. I've been interested in getting in shape for a bit for various philosophic, physiological and sociological (read: bone hot chicks.:p). I will be checking out the book. Finally, I third the notion that women with toned bodies are more attractive than skinny women.
Shezmu 1 year ago
@Shezmu - Also, any tips for people who live in a very small apartment?
Shezmu 1 year ago
@Shezmu Honestly, some dumbbells and that book would be a good idea. There are lots of variations of exercises in that book that don't require a bench.
I haven't tried them, but if you have the money, a pair of adjustable dumbbells might be worth it. You can adjust the weight with a dial and then remove them and they only come out with the appropriate weight plates on them. It's probably the most space efficient solution for dumbbells.
XOmniverse 1 year ago
Great video!
yankeewh1te 1 year ago
Lift weights!
Get buff!
Hoo Raa!
totheman 1 year ago
You don't even need to spend $400. I've been going the bodyweight route using the books Naked Warrior and Convict Conditioning (probably sounds like a joke if you haven't heard of it) as guides. I do pull-ups and hanging leg raises at a nearby park, and I have been progressively working on one-arm pushups and one-legged squats over the last couple of months. I might try introduce kettlebells at a later point, but it's useful to have exercises like these that you can do almost anywhere.
ChannelMikeG 1 year ago
@ChannelMikeG That sounds kinda neat, though I have to imagine that dumbbells and a bench expand your options significantly and allow you to train more efficiently. Your own body weight isn't adjustable, for example. Once you can do 15 one legged squats, there's no way to increase the weight.
I imagine it could be great info for someone without the money or space for weight equipment though.
XOmniverse 1 year ago
@XOmniverse Yeah, you have to be creative with bodyweight exercises to make progressions. That's one advantage of weights; it's easier to adjust and monitor progress. The difference between a regular push-up and a one-arm pushup is huge. One good way is to progress is adjust elevation for instance (e.g. leaning against table counters and moving to stair steps). I think calisthenics offer good compound exercises which I think is good for beginners for overall fitness and means fewer exercises.
ChannelMikeG 1 year ago
@XOmniverse I've heard several appealing arguments for the incorporation of calisthenics even if you do lift weights. I don't really feel qualified to say a lot about weight lifting since I have very little experience. I've heard several people say that calisthenics have helped with lifting injuries (e.g. like headstand pushups being good for the shoulders). Still you can reach great heights: few can do a one-arm pullup and I've seen videos of people doing weighted pistols (one-leg squats).
ChannelMikeG 1 year ago
@XOmniverse These guys are really resourceful with bodyweight exercises :)
watch?v=uLEMqN-Za_U
ChannelMikeG 1 year ago
I don't know if someone has already discussed this point or not (haven't checked and don't really feel like it) but you shouldn't be dissuaded from joining a gym. A gym can be profitable and you can extrapolate different benefits from than weight-lifting at home. 1. The people: Some people can give very valuable advice, assuming they're willing to talk 2. Spotters: When you want to really push yourself, having a spotter is a must. and 3. The diversity of the equipment.
Ronnock 1 year ago
@Ronnock That seems like sound advice. I just hate being around people when I lift. :)
The nice thing about dumbbells is that there is far less of a need for a spotter, since if things really get that bad, you can just drop them to the sides. It'll be loud, of course, but you won't get injured.
XOmniverse 1 year ago
@XOmniverse Heheh, no worries, I'm becoming like that too. I mainly do body-weight exercises now, with some dumbbell training thrown in.
Spotters aren't only for emergencies, they can be for motivation as well as helping you crank out those last couple of reps, so that you're able to really push yourself. But more or less, you're right, just throw the suckers to the wayside when shit hits the fan. Hahah.
Ronnock 1 year ago
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts/experiences/insight with regard to dating if you haven't made such a video already. It's often on the periphery of a lot of topics, but you always seem to avoid going into it too much. It's made me curious; especially because you're a few years (a little more than a few, probably) my senior and I independently agree with you on most other things. The subject is on my mind a lot now -- finding love and value in a mate. Is it not on yours?
HymerSchmidt 1 year ago
@HymerSchmidt I haven't done any videos on dating because its something I know very little about. I could do a video about that of course (the psychology behind my lack of dating experience) but I don't think it would be helpful to someone looking for dating advice.
XOmniverse 1 year ago
This is the best video title ever. Lmao
Hrithmus 1 year ago
Some of this advice is pretty bad, check out scooby1961 youtube channel for some good fitness videos.
sucktdeep 1 year ago
@sucktdeep I would say for the aims of his video he hit the nail on the head. I've been lifting on and off for the better part of 8 years now and everything in this video is rather common knowledge in the lifting community. Scooby has decent workout videos but I find his ideas on nutrition a little extreme and not helpful to the average new lifter.
Aero28 1 year ago
@Aero28 Sure dumbbells are useful for the experienced/advanced but newbies shouldn't touch them for at least the first couple of months. Simple compound exercises(with a barbell) are by far the best choice for any beginner.
sucktdeep 1 year ago
@sucktdeep That's funny because your the first person I have ever heard say dumbbells are for advanced users.
It doesn't matter what you use, every lift takes a little practice in establishing good technique. As long as your applying sufficient resistance to a muscle you will achieve the goal of lifting by creating micro tears in your muscle. Dumbbell vs Barbell is a matter of preference, not experience.
Aero28 1 year ago
liked this vid. i just started back lifting weights and feeling real good about keeping it up...
torib5k1 1 year ago
I found my work outs to be much easier after I started taking creatine (for reasons other than working out). It definitely helps me get more reps in, plus it's very safe and cheap.
EdwardMandellHouse 1 year ago
Youtube itself is a great source of weightlifting material. A user that goes by "scooby1961" has a very large selection of weightlifting and diet techniques, I used that channel when I began weightlifting and would highly suggest it regardless of your level.
And I second your idea about girls with muscle definition, and would take it a few steps further. The arnold look would be way too much, but I find a girl with a nice muscle toned body to be way more attractive than just a skinny body.
BABABABA5555 1 year ago
Squats, Bench press, and deadlifts. My first year of lifting, I only used machines and couldn't figure out why I wasn't making gains. A good thing about dumbbells is they let you isolate certain muscles so you can do more to shape them. Diet is also a must.
discordian420 1 year ago
@discordian420 I think the appeal of machines is that they are less intimidating to a newbie. With dumbbells, you actually have to know things to do with them. That problem can be alleviated with a good book (like the one I suggested in the video).
I honestly don't focus on my diet much, but it's entirely possible that you are right. I don't consider myself a body builder or a serious weight lifter though. I just like being decently strong and in shape, and looking pretty good.
XOmniverse 1 year ago
@XOmniverse
He is right.
A good diet maximizes gains dramatically.
asperin 1 year ago
@XOmniverse Fitness (lifting especially) is 80 percent nutrition, 20 percent exercise, IMO. If you aren't going to feed your muscles any protein then you will not see any gains. If you want to make gains and you ignore the nutritional aspect of lifting you can end up getting the opposite results. My favorite thing when I'm on a lifting routine is to get a big 5 pound thing of whey protein. With milk and a packet of splenda they are a great supplement.
Aero28 1 year ago