4 reasons why people QUIT going to the gym.

[@joshuawright722]

I quit for a few reasons. The main one being Bailey's being overly crowded after 1700 hours and a bunch of kids glued to their phones or doing arm curls in one of only two squat racks killed it for me. Thankfully I was able to save. Invested in a free weight / smith machine for my garage and I have been good ever since. I have zero excuses for missing a workout. It's in the garage. No fees. No waiting. Cant beat convenience.

[@Anthonus]

My housemates at uni had the "kitchen tax". There was a pull up bar in the kitchen doorway and you couldn't pass it without doing 5 pull ups. For a little while my work had a gym and whenever I had 5 minutes to wait for a timer or something, I'd just wander in and do a set of curls or something. (I find arm work to be a real chore but it feels good in the middle of a workday). It's easier for me to stay motivated when it's a constant part of my life, not partitioned away into a different room or building. My gym now is in my office at home.

[@satinderjit4]

Hell yeah man I prefer my homegym over a crowded public gym any day too (unless it is empty).

[@hunterhedwall2220]

Exactly, home gyms are king. Good for you.

[@Team_Banchamek]

I would rather train in a gym but only a good gym

[@satinderjit4]

@@6236003 Cali?

[@julien2983]

In my experience all-or-nothing most often amounts to nothing.

[@lukedoyle7802]

This is so fucking true

[@zodjenkins2595]

well said

[@diagonals792]

blunt, poignant.. but needs to be said. well put my friend

[@azer6303]

we all learn this the hard way

[@alexandermartzok_vikingcombat]

Coming from martial arts, some of the guys who were best in their discipline nearly did not train at all since there are no tournaments. So I ask myself, are they really passionate about their sport or do they just want to be the best in something...

[@CrimsonStrider]

For me it's been depression. Though I've been training at home and that helps me lose focus. The depression makes life difficult. Shit, I lay in bed and put off going pee in the morning because I'm just not motivated in getting up. My workouts take twice as long and I've had to take a nap mid session a few times. Total opposite from a year ago when I was motivated and at the Seattle seminar with you and Jordan. I've never once felt “tired” during the day, outside of sleep deficiency, until recently. At times, it's almost paralyzing. Even eating is a chore. And yeah, somewhere recently I became disillusioned. I work very hard, and all that is easily dismissed by people saying “I'm fat” at 5'7, 88kg, after like 5 years of consistent training. Because I don't look like a body builder, people don't understand. And be honest, I feel like I still have at least a couple of years until I look like I lift at any bodyweight past 80kg. My tummy gets fluffy right around 83. The fat comments, it's like I wanna say I don't care, but I do. And I don't want to hear it. I hate having random people, literally random people, tell me I'm fat. Sometimes its kids. Some it's a relative of a client that I don't know, but they know me. So I can never freely just tell them to fuck off. Thinking about it, today was the first time in a while I had... two people actually comment on having muscles. Haha.

[@SeriffinThe]

What's your SBD?

[@dannyB900]

Everyone on earth has depression to a degree. You should focus on improving that. And you will succeed

[@alexwenger9655]

Next time you get overwhelmingly depressed/anxious try this: Get angry at your brain for making you feel this way, get in your car, and drive to the gym out of spite for your brain pumping these oppressive feelings into your mind. Get on a treadmill/stairmaster and walk/run with anger until that anger turns into exhaustion. I promise you if you do this you'll feel worn-out and relaxed for the rest of the day. Its therapeutic. Also you should find a therapist to talk to once a month. Having an unbiased source to pour your thoughts into is relieving.

[@joshblunt7165]

I just did a video on Depression and people with weight loss/gain issues. I think it's very powerful and can definitely become a problem for many. The thing with exercise is that we love to take care of ourselves and we always feel better after exercise. Whether the feel good neurotransmitters or just accomplishing something we set out to do and actually doing it. Many will choose sugary/salty foods that are high in calories because it's an instant reward, and we want that reward right now. It's not an easy battle but there are many ways we can get those "rewards" that we are looking for, just need to find which one works best for you. Goodluck on your journey!

[@madlad453]

Read what i wrote on my playlist bruh... -bodybuilding 101 -bodybuilding funny💩

[@BasementBrandon]

If one can not train untamed are they even really training?

[@christiansoenggoro]

They are training, but tamed

[@roycohutta3856]

Go back to your basement 😆

[@whosthatguy9]

Nope, its gotta be untamed thats how you get results.

[@Scott-zh5ip]

Collab please!

[@johnnycto7576]

I think if they are trying for "optimal" they are not training untamed!

[@AS-od5fe]

I started out just trying to deal with thinning bones and weakness and got hooked chasing five pounds. I really don't care about competing, I just think of my bones and muscles getting stronger instead of weaker and keep going. I am just grateful I can do something like this for myself and really training three times a week isn't that difficult to do, for the results I get. I do get a lot of comments mostly positive, being the older fat woman that lifts in my gym. I am usually surprised when they notice me going for a new PR. A few comments are not so kind, but I just focus on my lifts.

[@MrVolvobloke]

I find if I don't set outrageous goals and stay sensible it keeps me motivated. Training with friends helps too. But mainly I lift because, lets face it, the weights aren't going to lift themselves are they?

[@Scott-zh5ip]

That closing line 😂👌

[@alexanderbeauregard287]

WHO'S GONNA CARRY THE BOATS?!

[@featherylight1092]

Best quote to live by honestly 💖

[@masterchief4868]

Injuries are the worst enemy of motivation. Make sure you do general total body prehab exercises before you injure yourself aka compensatory exercises: for the knee (hamstring curls, monster walks) for the low back (decompressing in pull up bar or with gravity boots, reverse hypers and suitcase deadlifts for lateral stability) and for the shoulders (rear delt work, facepulls, serratus anterior work and general back exercises, also doing enough reps of light pec flies in warm up might avoid you a pec tear). I have had problems in these three main areas. Do these exercises before you get injured instead of after. Cheers everybody.

[@THESYNTHBARD]

Yeah, injuries are what have knocked me out of the gym at times over the years. Have way less now that I do more prevention work (like band dislocations for shoulder health)

[@Dan_the_cobbler]

Hey Alan! for me it was injury! had zero plan on stopping training, competed in power lifting and bodybuilding successfully! but a knee injury has really had me stuck for motivation and stuck in the mud for like 2 years now! gets you down mentally over time!

[@Resistculturaldecline]

Exactly. Trained off and on for 20 yrs, but no matter anything and everything the nagging injuries come and do not subside unless I completely stop lifting. I'm naturally stronger than the average person my size, but apparently I have more inflammation and less connective tissue regeneration too.

[@danpina17]

Love this. Countless Injuries, family problems, relationship problems, school, full time work, and the list goes on. I have had something in the way for the last three years but I keep chugging on. Don't quit. Just change things up for a while and reasses your goals

[@s4n714g000]

My reasons: -I need surgery on my ankle, I have a bone spur that doesn't allow me to get my knees forward, can't squat properly nor reach the barbell when deadlifting without pain. (even with squatting shoes) -Injuries: tied to the ankle bit, a back injury puts me behind for a couple of weeks and knowing it's not technique means that I'm almost guaranteed to get injured again until I fix that ankle -College -Coronavirus However, I have a pull up bar at home and have been relatively consistent at it, went from not being able to do 1 to being able to do 10 with decent form. Even if I haven't been going to the gym I still don't consider the years as wasted time, I've been learning about my body and the things I need to do, I also realized the reason I hurt my back and have general tightness on the left side of my body is because of that dang ankle, so there you go. Another thing about all of these problems is I have let go of the idea that I need to be lifting a certain number or that I need to be "a powerlifter" I've taken advice from everyone who's healthy without necessarily being "big" or lifting a lot of weight on a barbell, I think that's the best approach to fitness for me, at this point I value being pain free and flexible more than a number on a specific lift.

[@samdajellybeenie14]

You could substitute squatting with an identical volume of leg extensions plus 15 back extensions.

[@herculesinwyoming]

baboon it’s rough, I had a right heel fracture and ankle, plus right shoulder replaced all at the same time. I still intend to return to training , but I have to do it carefully

[@jakemilligan6251]

well done man

[@HappySqrl]

I'm working to get back into training after a couple years off, and for me the reason was "Life got in the way." I went from my wife having a baby to 3 months later her father was dying from cancer, after he passed the workload at my job skyrocketed, and once that settled down covid-19 shut down all the gyms. I probably could have re-started earlier but it is so demotivating to start from scratch all over again, and it was pretty easy to push it off with "I'll start next week" for a few months. With that said, I'm re-starting with a new focus which has changed the motivation. The loss in strength really started to show up in day to day life and it was frustrating to struggle to pick up objects that didn't used to be that difficult; and, on top of that, I don't want to be the out of shape dad who struggles to do the most basic of things with his children. This new focus means that it doesn't feel like starting over in the same way.

[@jared8515]

regaining muscle is way way easier than building it, you won't start from scratch

[@stephenblog98]

Godspeed brother. Cliche but the journey of 100 miles starts with a single step. Good luck and you got this, if you have the resilience to get through all that that getting back into old gym routines is definitly achievable. Go hard

[@clakoclakson]

I had to reestart several time (mostly due to injuries) and I really like the "come backs" because it's a period where you gain strenght really fast. Then I get closer to my old RP and start to get stuck again lel. That's why I enjoy comebacks.

[@pedroarrosi6324]

"oh, you should have more discipline" "you should not do that" "you should not look like that because no one will respect you" "oh, good luck trying to work like that because you will have no money" and then "you should do that training, bc that training is the best out there" Guys, school, work and most people teach us to be a slave. They teach us how to be resilient against our own nature to serve their interests. But is not their fault because they learned that way. And for a happy life we NEED TO LEARN TO DO WHAT WE REALLY FEEL CONFORTABLE DOING. No matter what it is, we were gifted with a incredible imagination and creativity and if there is no place for us in society, we can always build a new one. My country is one of the most affected by the vírus and I need to stay a long time in quarantine. But for me it was incredible, I had nobody saying things to me to do. So, I did everything that I wanted. I start studying graphic design for my own, I let my hair grow and start doing weighted calisthenics in home. The results? I got a new and better job, I am talking with a few girls that everyone of them says that love my new hair (?) and two of my friends that saw me going into the grocery store asked me if was taking hormones haha. Guys, idk anything about the future, but I will do alot more the things that my hearth asks for because it brings great results.

[@thesmokingjacket645]

I found that reading and applying Greek philosophy helped me to understand to focus on the process and not the end goal. Epictetus says "What ought one to say then as each hardship comes? I was practicing for this, I was training for this." and "No great thing is created suddenly any more than a bunch of grape or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I will answer that there must first be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen."

[@nimkal]

This is actually great and has so many true aspects to it. Training in some capacity is better than not training at all. It's something I've been working on myself to adapt. Especially when I've been inactive for a while and I try to get back in shape or lose weight, it used to be that it had to be hardcore all in, then I would burn out after a few months. But now I'm just going slowly with it and just saying "it's okay", and "just do more than you did last week". Any work is better than none, like Alan says. I'm planning to get back in shape quite soon I'm building a home gym, but this is also wrong mentality I should still be doing regular easy exercises as im preparing the home gym, instead of waiting.

[@CAHOP2401]

This is exactly the video I needed to see. I injured myself doing rack pulls late last year and stayed away from deadlits and rack pulls for a while. After I got better I started doing trap bar deadlifts and rack pulls for reps. Still stayed away from straight bar deads. Trap bar deads and rack pulls started coming up nicely so I figured I'd start straight bar deads again. I had my first straight bar deadlift session on Tuesday in almost a year and when I got to 405lbs it felt SUPER heavy. 405 is usually a weight I can do for sets of 10 and I could barely get through 2 sets of 5 before I started worrying about injuring myself again. I've been in my head about it since and started asking myself those usual questions of "why am I even doing this? what's the point?". I'm usually able to get out of that head space in a few hours. Really needed this video.

[@drewmiller5942]

The only reason why I almost quit for the second time: Leg day.

[@elaminmochichi7767]

Why is leg day reason for you to quit?

[@drewmiller5942]

@@elaminmochichi7767 I just don't like it. I love to train my upper body (and it shows) but legs feels like hell and I have to force myself to do it. I don't enjoy even a second of leg day. Right now I'm thinking of doing legs after my upper body workouts instead of giving them their own day. Maybe then it will be easier if I'm already in workout mood. Maybe someone has any tips for me? I'm desperate. I don't want to have twigs as legs. Doesn't look good 😅

[@elaminmochichi7767]

@@drewmiller5942 I like to incorporate my leg day in my cardio workouts, I dont even call it leg day. I walk on the stair master, walk/run uphill, do the epileptic machine they do some difference

[@michaelsheetz6929]

The funny thing that I've noticed is that the more often I lift legs, the less of a hassle it becomes to convince myself to do it. If I'm putting off leg day constantly, I never want to go do it, but if I just do it as it comes up in my program, it gets easier and more fun as the weeks go by

[@RohitSingh-zz2mu]

Lol, I like leg day but the delayed muscle onset I face is a lot.

[@stevenrudich3647]

Articulate, eloquent, honest, and spot on. Superb video and topic.

[@Teezar22]

Great video Alan. I love the shift in your content over the last few years. As a physical therapy student, it's refreshing to see someone in the strength and conditioning world more focused on just getting (and keeping) people active and less focused on powerlifting totals and competition. Keep it up!

[@Hwyhogg]

You nailed it! Great talk. As an older lifter, 54, the ego is hard to let go. Everyone peaks, it’s how committed you are to being the best YOU. You can fall off a cliff or have a nice slow descent. I still train because I love it. whatever the discipline, weight bearing exercises is proven to stave off bone and muscle loss. Be proud of any PRs or competitions you won or will win. BTW, lots of events have classes for older lifters. Your numbers will fade and people won’t remember them; they WILL remember the spirit and resolve you show as life changes... Sally Forth ladies and gentlemen!

[@Coal2956]

That voice that tells you that "you've peaked and you'll never become stronger no matter what you do" is the same voice that was telling you to "give up, you'll never make it" when you just started

[@MrCmon113]

That voice is often right, though. Better to give up early than waste a whole lot of time and energy, Now with physical activity, there is little risk, because it will almost always improve your health a little bit.

[@MonkeyBarsEveryday]

we're all gonna fucking make it brah

[@ThomasThorr]

It's interesting to see here a lot of people stopped working out because they became depressed. I started working out because I was suffering from depression and anxiety already. Working out made me feel good about myself. It made me feel productive, it gave me the opportunity to make friends and eventually coach and compete in powerlifting and strongman. It made me bigger (fatter and more muscly) and while I didn't like getting fatter, that's my choice to not diet down. It gives me something to look forward to and move to and allows me to set goals that I can reach. I don't have to set a time limit on my own goals because I'm not working on anyone else's clock but mine, and I'm not trying to be competitive. It gives me something to talk about with other people and sometimes people I haven't seen for years will approach me and say, "oh yeah, you're doing all that lifting stuff right? That's awesome man, good on you" and that one comment will make my entire week. I noticed people being proud of my accomplishments even though they don't understand what I achieved or how much work it took to do it. I feel so much better about myself and have so much more confidence because of the gym. I have managed to pull myself out of over 12 years of depression and anxiety with no help from medication or counselling (very bad experiences with both of those things) thanks in no small part to the gym. I owe it to the iron.

[@scott1651]

Good video man.. I'm 37 and Ive been one of those off and on gym goers in the past (go for 1-2 years straight, stop for 1-2 years straight, etc) but for me... not this time. I bought a squat rack due to COVID and started lifting again beginning of March. The motivation was strong up until about 1-1.5 months ago. Im not watching what I eat anymore. Sleep isnt so great anymore. And on my days of training.. Im always feeling like "uuggh. I dont feel like lifting today". But I end up saying to myself, "F**k it... just f**kin do it!" And I end up doing it. My personal goal is to not stop anymore. That should be everyones inner dialogue... "Just shut up and f**kin do it". Unfortunately, easier said than done obviously. Thanks to your videos, Ive learned the proper techniques and cues that I certainly did not know back when I was lifting on and off. And I think that plays a part in helping me to stay on track now that I know I'm doing these things right and seeing/feeling the results. TRAIN UNTAAAAMMMMED!!

[@Jackmerius_Tacktheritrix5733]

One gym rule: Do what you can

[@bodystomp5302]

100%.

[@Zaeyrus]

I've watched this video now for the second time and I think I will re watch it again, awesome messages and a great mind clarifier!

[@mrcreditunion1]

The message of not putting emphasis or importance on one thing really spoke to me Alan. Thanks you for sharing your insight!

[@4Mikes4Mindset4]

Fantastic authenticity brother! Much appreciated

[@joeschmo2693]

Practical, positive stuff. I'm 54, average to shite genetics, cut off from certain movements forever by a lifetime accumulation of joint issues, and rehabbing a torn biceps tendon (NOT a gym injury). I'll never be elite strong, and I'll never win a bodybuilding show or strongman contest, but I'm still making strength & muscle gains, I WILL be bigger & stronger next year than I am now, and goddamit, I still love the feeling of exhaustion after a gut busting workout. Preach on, brother!

[@NaturalHypertrophy]

Pro-tip: Buy a home gym. You'll have invested so much money and time into it that the very thought of quitting training will not even enter your mind

[@cankercanison92]

I wish I had the money and space for that, it's something I'll try and work towards.

[@Schism2015]

Something I'm looking towards... I may not have the largest garage, but I know a rack, a barbell, some benches, and a platform will fit!

[@warri0r-p0et18]

That was my reasoning, it's worked so far.

[@tacosforlife5743]

I wish we had basement man.. no space esp with a toddler

[@DrewLSsix]

The amount of equipment I have bought from people ar stupid discounts says you are wrong, this is pre covid obviously. When I saw what the prices for even BS equipment was a while ago I dug through some of my less good stuff and listed it for a stupid price and still undercut most of the other price gouging listing. Had a 10lb rubber DB collecting dust, it had been chewed on by a dog and the matching bell was long gone. Couldn't give it away in the past but someone drove from the next town over to pay me $20 and was effusive with his gratitude! A single mismatched 45lb plate I picked up for free on the curb a year or more ago, sold it for $60! When things go back to normal theres going to be a lot of cheao equipment for sale lol.

[@Sbarrett1]

Completely unrelated to the video, but that t shirt/towel trick at 7:08 has literally saved my front squats! No more collar bone pain since starting it!

[@DJ_Force]

You missed 5) Some people just move from one obsession to another. They're into music, then partying, then religion, then weightlifting, then running, then veganism, then environmentalism, then politics...

[@danielgibbs5020]

good words of wisdom. The bar never judges.-Chief

[@cyphioswh]

I have been struggling on getting back to the gym due to substance abuse and injury. Thank you so much for motivating people to train back and go clean again. You have no idea how much this lifted me up.

[@GDoggy-em2xc]

“Imagine where you’d be right now if for the past 5 years you did nothing.” Very powerful statement!

[@TheDhammaHub]

For most people I know it was injuries

[@notsosecretsnacker5218]

Dude I feel this, I'm still training but my motivation has bombed as I love to squat. Sometimes it's hard to just turn up

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Lifting and diet is a lifetime habit to maintain even as one gets older. I love working out at Untamed Strength!

[@SleepingOnScissors]

The last point was a real motivator for me, thanks Alan

[@OwnD1]

Just suffered a lower back injury from moderate weight squat yesterday.. thanks for the real talk

[@whiterex06]

The pandemic is killing me with the gyms closed. Lifting clears my head

[@zboy3456]

i like big barbell and strongman movements. so that’s what i do. i hate small accessory work so i don’t do it unless it’s necessary. thanks for this great vid alan great reminder to do what you love in the gym

[@AviadTheCoach]

watched the video and i am the one you're talking about. I was weight training for almost 17 years. many of them for powerlifting. ( i had 3 times bodyweight deadlift) and i was working as a fitness instructor for 10 years. i didn't understood and didn't got excuses from trainees because i was all in. And then i've change my proffession, got a new job and was busy with studies, my second baby arrived, i'm an all or nothing guy and i quit training completely for almost 3 years. my back started to ache and i couldn't even lift my 2.5 years old girl than the bell was ringing and i've decided it's time to get back for lifting (with a goal of 200kgs deadlift in a year). so after 4 months of bodyweight training and another on the gym i'm halfway toward my goal. it's all or nothing for me.

[@edwinprado5620]

I can totally relate to this I use to lift weights as a kid and absolutely loved it, but then life happened and I got a job which required me to travel and put in crazy hours. Fast forward 10 years and I am now in a position where I don't need to work so much and got a job locally. I'm now off at 3:30pm and head over to the gym and pursue my old hobby.....I lift because I enjoy it. I always has the desire to go back...per say the fire never went away..glad I'm able to lift again

[@owenleblanc6495]

I agree with #1 a lot. Sometimes it's fun to just mess around in the gym for a bit without a set program. It really helps to stay motivated.

[@outsidedawg]

#5 fatigue .. I am going through this, the older you get the harder it hits you. I did some heavy deadlifts mid last week and I have not recovered yet.. just feeling fatigued and unmotivated. Any thoughts ?

[@notsosecretsnacker5218]

There's many things that can cause fatigue, the gym and exercise is only one reason. It COULD be there is additional stress elsewhere in your life. But.... I don't know you. Just a thought

[@richardhunter9779]

Short-term, it sounds like you need a de-load. Long-term, maybe see if you're under-recovering.

[@carpenoctem3151]

I know this problem...for me a game changer was that I started with the 10 min walks at least once a day, this fastens my recovery a lot...

[@cramz101]

Have you tried trap bar. Greg Nuckols talked about how fatigued spinal erectors can lead to more CNS fatigue.

[@SlowRiderDucati]

I'm 57 and I solved the fatigue by going on a 2 day lift 1 day off schedule. Also I limit max weights to once per month. I'm 230 lbs 6 foot bench 405 lbs squat 405 lbs and dead 405lbs. As I age it just takes longer to recoup.

[@Jnikola97]

Nothing better than listening to the big beard jacked dude speaking wisdom... and good think that he always reminds us to TRAINN UNTAMEDDD!

[@brentschaefer1579]

Excellent examples of short term goal setting. I struggle to come up with reasonable short term goals but really liked the examples given.

[@austinfrank552]

I truly am lucky to of come across your channel about 4 years back. Never has someone changed my way of thinking and cleared up so many life goals and idea for me than you Alan. Truly thank you, you’ve made me into such a better man and given me tools to continue to grow.

[@claudiamarianidamato9499]

I stopped going to the gym 6 years ago and just got myself a squat rack Olympic bar, full set of plates, hex bar, loads of resistance bands , some dumbbells, and a mini bar with mini weights .The gym was becoming such a fad in my area I felt like I was back in high school. People meeting up at my gym to socialize instead of train ; cliques were forming . I remember there were multiple times I had to leave and go home because the gyms were so incredibly crowded.

[@mcrrider6881]

THANK YOU i really needed this my gym has only just opened 24/7 and i needed that as i work shifts but i was feeling like meh i want to go back but i don't know i guess i needed the boost and motivation yeah my lifts will be lighter but in 3-4-5 year I'm sure i will surpass my last years lifts so thank you brother and rock on!

[@gregorybuttari8651]

Life changes.. don't stop adapt .. it's personal growth... You may change how you do things,but you are still you .. the same passionate person never forget that.

[@chucksenhowzen9740]

You know who else quit the gym? MY MOM!!!! PS this is an inside joke from Muscle Man of Regular Show

[@dunjahutinski5245]

:D the best cartoon ever!!!

[@Scott-zh5ip]

🤣

[@Eric_Bodyguard_H]

The part where you were talking about workout cause you enjoy lifting spoke to a personal situation. During the gym closures i had to adjust my training cause i enjoy training so during that time i did heavy band work and bodyweight training. Not only did i come back to the gym and got stronger on lifts but it helped my mental health.

[@krossxeye660]

Having fun is definitely something that can help. I got out of a slight funk recently by going to a strongman gym for a day and doing some of those motions, and my home gym has crossfit classes that I have a lot of fun at. Even once a week crossfit can make my work capacity and motivation at the gym skyrocket.

[@joshc5985]

I actually beat the notification here 🔥✌️

[@jasonellis2546]

Very wise words Alan. It's easy to lose perspective on why we need to be in the gym.

[@iwantu900times]

Dude... You should start a podcast. Perfect for stuff like this.

[@Anthonydipasquale]

really awesome points you make. Been lifting since I was 15 and now am 51. You are right on! I took one 2 month break at 18 for family reasons, and have been consistent the whole rest of the time. Love lifting.

[@sverdmester]

I used to always run as an exercise to help my martial arts, or football, or whatever i was focusing on at the time. I remember very specifically the best thing that ever happened for my running was me deciding to no longer run to get better at something else, but instead run just to feel the joy of it. I ignored timing my runs, and stopped worrying about speed and distance. I started mostly running barefoot too, not because it is necessarily better, but because i enjoyed it more. Before I knew it I was running farther, faster than ever. And most importantly, It stopped being a chore. Instead was fun and felt great every single time.

[@JohnNathanShopper]

Damn, this was a real essay. Love it when athletic people turn out to be the ones with clarity and intelligence.

[@djp3525]

I think a lot of people are drive-by enthusiasts in many things in life. They get super excited about something, go all-in and then for whatever reason they move on to something else...usually to chase the high of something "new".

[@Scott-zh5ip]

Couldn't agree more. Don't get me wrong if you've achieved the goals you laid out for yourself and then decide it's not for you anymore, go for it, but at least stay dedicated to whatever you decide to do to even know if it's something you are passionate about. Many just want quick results and quick rewards and that always leads to quick disappointment.

[@OfficialGrantAnderson]

Some people quit because they’re depressed. Sometimes going to the gym only makes that feeling worse. Sometimes they want to go but they get there and then they get sad and depresssed before they can even start their session.

[@MannyRiberaOriginal]

Only thing that makes me quit is lockdown.

[@michaelsudsysutherland5353]

Honest gym motivation there... I like your style here; promoting good strength training no matter the desired end result (Power lifting, Strongman, etc..). Always good to hear a strength coach not trash running, but actually encourage people (like myself) who first discovered and developed good fitness habbits from running (thank you Uncle Sam for that one).

[@josephbiondi8427]

Slayer, Testament, Death and Iron Maiden posters on the wall.. I want a gym like this.

[@elenap142]

Alan your passion for weight training is obvious in your voice! Really healpful advices in just 10 min.

[@HiddenAgenda11]

For everyone who typically trains in the gym and can no longer because of the pandemic, training at home or finding other outlets for maintaining strength or general fitness only matter for those who were in the gym for those reasons in the first place. If you can't find yourself able to continue your fitness journey because you can't be in the gym, you need to question why you;re in the gym in the first place.

[@garysellars8914]

One of the best videos ever. Every lifter should view this and take everything discussed on board. Thanks Alan.

[@okimarobot1414]

I train for 1 main reason: I will be capable of physically protecting my family.

[@thegrinderman1090]

It would be cheaper and more time efficient to invest in a gun

[@oriyus]

@@thegrinderman1090 what if your kid is hanging form a cliff, what would gun do then?

[@evan5854]

Nothing beats a gun

[@inquisitorsquish5422]

@@oriyus Harpoon gun?

[@thegrinderman1090]

@@oriyus I doubt most people would have to weight train to be able to lift a child, especially in a life or death situation

[@Rvbrto]

#5 That was the reason for me, we suffer an incredibly fucked up injury that set us back 2-3 years worth of training. I tore both of my shoulders straight out of their sockets and after a year and a half of rehab, I was so disappointedly down and depressed with what happened to all my progress.

[@southernvoltage1288]

What a great message. I’m a follower of the Starting Strength method. I’m also a 46 year old obese guy. I don’t follow the program to the letter, I use it as a guideline. After a year of my half ass attempt to follow the program, I haven’t seen anywhere near the gains the program promises, but I’m much stronger than I was before I started, I haven’t had any major injuries (and I was in really rough shape before I started) and I feel at least a decade younger. I’m not competing for a powerlifting meet, I’ll never play for the Green Bay Packers, but I can squat down to pick something up without worrying about if I can get back up.

[@ryankpreston]

Great video. This is the type of content that is so much more meaningful and important to more people, as opposed to some of the more technical stuff that is out there.

[@christopherwalton5445]

I've been lifting for 45 years, still into it....just moved from South Philly to suburban Philly. I joined a local gym here in suburbs, but just can't get into it. People sitting on bench's ,staring at phones, tons of goofy machines, but very little weights. Today I walked in...stared at people meandering around, and turned around and went home, where I had a great workout on a chin up bar

[@shaungregory1827]

Great video and great message - at the end of the day, doing something to maintain your overall health is always going to be better than doing nothing. I spent many, many years sitting on my ass and saying "I'll start something next week, next month, by x birthday". Those days never came because I kept putting them off. I gained weight, I felt like crap - and then one day I decided that instead of saying I'll do this tomorrow - I got up and started doing it right then and there. At first it was tough - I was out of shape, overweight, and had to force myself to workout. I started with things that were probably a little too tough for me at that point in time - but pushed through anyway. I always tried to finish the workout no matter how much I didn't want to. Over the next 3-4 months, I started to feel a little better. Not really losing weight, but feeling less like I was forcing myself into exercising and more like I was looking forward to it. This was goal 1 achieved - for getting my lazy ass off the couch and working out to be a habit and something I looked forward to. On to phase to - nutrition. I evaluated everything I was putting down my throat and picked simple changes. No soda. No candy. No heavily sugared items. I replaced them with foods I enjoyed that didn't carry the sugar load, which was my weakness. Given that exercise had already become a routine for me, the dietary changes were pretty easy to stick to. I allowed treats each week, but have stuck to my dietary changes for over a year now. My workout routines have changed. Early on it was about regaining flexibility and knocking out some aches and pains (look up DDP Yoga, it's game-changing). That is still part of it, but more of a recovery workout than a necessity workout. I tried and tested a few things early on and found that strict weight lifting bored me to tears, so I avoided it. I found kettlebells, clubbells and macebells enjoyable - something about swinging heavy pieces of metal around entertained me more than lifting. My performance gradually improved, my strength gradually improved and my ability to workout longer increased. Over the last 6 months or so I've hit a point where I'm doing some kind of workout every single day. I try to be smart about not overloading certain body parts and about using my DDP Yoga for recovery and stretching - and I feel great. All my working out has been done at home - so obviously my ability to keep progressing to heavier and heavier items is much more limited than if I was in a gym environment - but I'm cool with that as it's the routine of working out every day that gives me satisfaction rather than pushing to get stronger or striving for the perfect body. I like keeping variety in what I do and set myself mini-targets that will typically take 2-3 months to achieve then move onto another target.

[@youngsuit]

some people love the competition more than they do the process. definitely true of a lot of runners. it's a really hard mindset to maintain

[@screwymatt]

I got a new job and fell off for 2 years. 6 months ago i started working out again then covid hot and i started working out at home. I miss chasing big weight but i have adjusted my fitness goals.

[@Jongjinlee]

I really needed this today. Thank you Alan for making me realize why I started lifting in the first place. As years went by lifting just felt like a chore and a obsession. Watching this video made me think about the good old days of just lifting and not worrying so much about little things.

[@mikereed7682]

Been training since 83, been competing in powerlifting since 87. I now compete in strongman. I just like to train, competing is always fun, but I enjoy the training and trying to get better at anything I'm doing. Through 30 years in the military, 3 kids and my wife, I have always been able to get in there. Neve quit and never give up.

[@ajbcollectables]

This is a great video. I love the "do what you like" advice mainly because I do what I like. I love lifting and I love cycling. In some ways they work against each other, riding for miles on my bike limits the resources and time I have for lifting. Working on my bench and ohp builds muscle that's less than useless for cycling, I have to carry it around. I don't care though. I'm never going to be a tour de France winner and I'm never going to be power lifting contender. I'm a dude who likes to ride my bike and likes to be strong. I hope to be doing both for the rest of my life.

[@OmahaTonyG]

When I realized that I was never going to get stronger than I was when I was 35, I switched focus from strength to health and aesthetics.

[@quintenvanlubek1074]

I learnerd the fundamental basics of programming a routine as a extra class in school. After I learned this I was so motivated and wrote my own routine for going 5 days a week to the gym. After 3 years my results were zero to none even tough I knew all the basics. In the end my downfall was I coudnt be consistent and skipped a lot of days. Nowadays I write myself 3 days /week routine and my consistency is so much better as are the results. Going all in was holding me back big time.

[@groverstudiosinc]

Like James Clear...just be the human who doesn’t miss a session. Great video.

[@AspireWu]

Finally got enough equipment to do my 3 main lifts, some strongman equipment and enjoying the running, jump rope and anything else in between. Before covid I heavily relied on lifting and couldn’t deal without having my gym. Had time to think and knew lifting heavy objects is what I wanted to do, spent some money and it has been worth it since. About to finish my first month out of three on the current program and I’ve never felt stronger. Recovery and eating seems to be mostly dialed in, blasting music in the home gym helps.

[@979259]

I used to have that mentality when it was longer. I would start lifting 3-4 months before lacrosse season, play my season, and then I'd have no motivation. It took me to turn 30 and get into the "use it or lose it" phase of my life to make serious strength training a consistent part of my life.

[@zchdz]

Love this vid. I was a fat kid growing up and didn’t start working out until after high school. Now, I’ve made so much progress I can’t imagine quitting. I don’t know how strong/fit I’m gonna be after 5 years of training but I DO know the result of NOT training for years, and I’m never going back to that.

[@Moose92411]

I train to be better than I was yesterday. That doesn't mean I have to use a particular program or a particular amount of weight. When Covid closed my gym, I shifted from bodybuilding to lighter weight conditioning. When I went on a prolonged vacation, I shifted my focus to running. Now I'm back to bodybuilding. I've loved all of it.

[@TypicalGuy84]

Covid hit so I started stretching every morning and now that the gyms opened up, I am more flexible and I'm still stretching as well as lifting again. Good things come from bad situations

[@chrisoakland]

This is why its good to have an off season when powerlifting, part of the beauty of the sport is you can compete whenever you want.

[@neomaredi5922]

Usually watch your content with an air of "Meh here comes this guy again"....but this seemed really personable and well thought out. Thanks so much for it, hit a weird slump myself this year, not so much not training but losing that vigour and excitement of going to the gym. This video helped a lot

[@GulfCoastTim]

From my experience, it's overtraining and burnout. After over 30 years of fairly steady weight lifting, I got a taste of things like sailing, kayaking, and biking. It was then that I realized I hadn't been living since my days were spent being at a gym, weight lifting and following special eating habits. Of course I enjoyed weight lifting but as I got older i just wanted to start living more and doing new things I have always dreamed about.

[@paramagic06]

Thanks for this. I've spent the last week feeling sorry for myself that I'm not progressing as fast as I feel I should be. Now I'll shake that off and continue on.

[@shawnb50]

I started with body building and then got into strength training. Never competed but as you said I just enjoyed improving and lifting, never really cared about official competitions. I recently took a 6 month break from training, but would go to the gym every once and a while still just to see where I was. Besides conditioning I didn’t really lose much stregnth at all. BTW I took a break from training before COVID so I’m not using that as the reason but instead I just wanted to see what life was like without really caring about my numbers or progression. It was refreshing to see life from a different lens, and become more balanced. Now, I am looking to get into Olympic lifting and workout at home... all I will use is a barbell and bumper plates. I won’t even get a rack or bench so I will do this along with speed training/sprinting and see what it is like to get really explosive. Plus, I think Olympic lifting will be more time efficient for me to get a workout that also stimulates your metabolism more, and I wanna workout from home so I can workout with less time needed and maybe even train with long rest intervals or have high frequency workouts since I can just do a rep whenever I feel like it. Idk, it seems exciting when I think about rn. I am just trying to be patient rn because rogue can’t keep up with demand. I did some sprinting work over COVID break and really realized that I now wanna just become as athletic as possible. Plus keeping myself from benching and back squat will help me bring up my overhead press and deadlift more along with the power clean I’ll be working on now. I think people should just switch it up if they find themselves getting tired of training for certain reasons... for me, I just got tired of going to the gym and waiting for equipment and driving... I rather just go home and chill for a little bit get in the zone and then go hit a lift when everything feels right with no distractions. I’m the kinda person who is ok with obsessing with specific lifts for a while so I can see myself deadlifting heavy everyday or over head pressing a bunch now that I have an excuse to not back squat or bench (no rack). The Olympic lifting will be just what I need to spice things up as well. Will not be crossfitting tho lol.

[@jefffoster695]

I love your perspective Alan. As a younger former Olympic Trials Finalist in the Marathon and international competitor I agree with your outlook. Over the years after my best running years were behind me I continued to run long and hard because I just enjoyed running. So much older now and involved exclusively in weightlifting for my fitness, I know I'll never attain those younger days totals on my bench press but I enjoy lifting and occasionally will enter a USAPowerlifting meet if it's close by. It's fun to still complete even if it's only age group related but with or without competitions I just enjoy lifting. Your message is a good one!

[@piotrrkacperr4262]

Been training for many years now, I totally get the last reason you talked about. I can almost imagine my life without training now, something that wouldn't make any sense even half a year ago...

[@PinkBunnyCorporation]

I miss going to the gym. :( It made the habit easier. Working out at home is 100 times harder. It was a special part of each day I went in my week, it grounds me. It gives me purpose, and I hate rest days even though I know I have to rest. It was what gave me genuine purpose and structure to my life. I did it for me and my own happiness. When or if I can, I would love to do some cool heavy lift or calisthenics movement sure, but so long as I am progressing I was happy.

[@Bootedful]

I've had my gym membership for about 2 years now. First it was on and off, going to gym for a month and then quit for 3 months. It been like that for quite long, but now i'm going to same gym with my friend which helps me to stay motivated and just by watching videos and learning more, trying new techniques makes me want to hit the gym. I've been going to gym now for 3+ months and i can see already progress, started benching with 5kg plates, now it's 16,25kg plates on both sides. The winter is coming and dark days are ahead, but I try not to let it be a problem. Stay safe everyone and keep hitting the gym/taking care of yourself. BTW. one hour of gym is only 4% of your whole day, not much right?

[@makrele2487]

Be and staying fit! for me is THE journey of my life.

[@sansiveria578]

I had Chronic Fatigue for 4 years, now have Hypothyroidism, Gastro Esophagal Reflux Disease, no gallbladder, on HRT and perimenopausal. I can lift 4 days a week whilst working part time and looking after my family who have anxiety, depression and autism. I'm not better than anyone else, just a normal 45 year old woman with the usual problems but lifting makes me feel invincible and gives me strength both physically and mentally to cope with life. No excuses, if I can then you can.

[@chesthomas7681]

For me personally, it was a combination of 3 things: injured my back last year deadlifting and since then haven't been able to back squat or deadlift like I used to, and it honestly left me feeling lost at the gym. Then the pandemic happened and I was stuck at home. And over the last few months, I've actual grown to love just doing bodyweight exercises at home that I dont feel the need right now to go back. I'm not gonna say I'll never return or try to get back into squats and deadlifts again, but for right now I feel in a contented place with exercising.

[@tedarchacki8101]

Dude I met him at the airport in Norfolk!!! Such an awesome guy!!!

[@andrescrespo2514]

As someone who doesn’t go to the gym but has a modest set up with about 200 pounds in weights in my basement my biggest advice to new lifters is to keep dumbbells around you so you always have something to do. Keep a pair where you work and where you spend most of your leisure time 10 and 20 pound dumbbells are more than enough to get a good workout in and can be done with as much frequency as you want. Tv is at commercial, stretching your legs at the office, going to the bathroom? Rep out 5 curls, flys, shrugs, shoulder pressed and tricep extensions. This can be done in 3 min, is very low effort, can be done anywhere and creates consistency. It may take you a few months to get into exercising but if you spend 10 min a day doing that routine that is almost 500 reps a month of each workout that you were not doing before. Maybe it’s 300 month one, 400 month two, 600 month three and by then you should notice some modest gains and the weights should feel easier. It’s small progress but the journey of 10,000 reps starts with just 1.

[@themrrd12345]

Man I'll admit it's been tough with this pandemic, but I got 40s and 65s in dumbells and a bench. Also got school. I try to go to the gym, but if I dont go for whatever reason, I'll make sure I do a full body at home with the dumbells and bench. Been able to maintain myself. Not worrying about PRs or anything, just staying active.