CHARLES ATLAS' BODYBUILDING ROUTINE FINALLY REVEALED! DID HE USE DYNAMIC TENSION?

[@roytetwart]

I'm 75 yrs old. When I was 14 I did a Charles Atlas course. I never achieved the desired "Perfect Body", however, it did affect me throughout my life. I improved my posture I became very aware of not slouching and would never walk around with my stomach protruding over the waist of my jeans. I greatly improved my biceps and pecks! I still have the course instructions which were printed in a sort of manuscript fashion and arrived in stages as the course progressed. These instructions arrived folded twice, wrapped in a heavy blue paper cover. Just one other thing! When I first applied for the course, the application asked "What do you want to achieve?". I clearly remember writing "I want to be able to deliver a knockout punch".It still makes my toes curl when I recall writing that!!!!!!!

[@MCMaf1A-wh4sx]

Hi Roy, where can I buy that Charles Atlas course.

[@roytetwart]

@@MCMaf1A-wh4sx Hi @MC. I'm not sure the course can be purchased nowadays. Have you tried having a look online? I do know Charles Altlas is no longer with us. I've got a feeling a family member took on the business after Charles died. You might be successful. I hope you are!

[@randyfemrite7525]

Positive influences are irreplaceable. I was 12, now 62. I do still have the chairs!

[@eddieb.1446]

At 65 I'm so very physically fit and active. Now that I think of it, I owe it to the Charles Atlas course that laid the healthy foundation for the rest of my life when I was 14 and completed his course.

[@patrickboyle6727]

Good man yourself 💪

[@stephenreddihough2469]

Many have claimed Atlas was using weights. For me, I am 67 now and I purchased his course when I was 17. I'm very light boned so have always found it difficult to build muscle. His course toned me. I then joined a gym and spent 3 years trying to build muscle, but gained no more muscle than I did with Atlas's course. I reverted back to his course and still do 45 minutes of his exercises every day without fail. I am much fitter and still toned compared to others of my age. Others I know who continued with weights now have big bellies through muscles dropping, or serious joint problems from overuse. For me the Charles Atlas course is one of the finest fitness courses ever devised and in my view far, far better than spending hours in the gym.

[@mikaelnilsson4278]

Jag håller med dig min vän 💪🤗atlas kursen är snällare mot hela kroppen

[@BobHolepit]

Love the Atlas course

[@DanielDeMontreal]

I did the Atlas program 20 years ago and packed on some decent muscle. One only has to look at gymnasts and calisthenics enthusiasts to see that you don't need to lift weights to get muscular. Tension is tension.

[@Mr75044]

Or cheat with roids.

[@RedStoneWhite]

About a month ago I started performing the Charles Atlas dynamic tension exercises because I wanted to change up my routine a bit. I had been doing the Sandow/Atilla light dumbbell system since the summer of 2021. I did get great results with the light dumbbells, I must say. So, after performing the Atlas system daily for about a month I have seen some wonderful improvements. Deltoids are more defined and rounded out, triceps and biceps are noticeably bigger, chest is a little bigger and more defined. I've seen improvement from head to toe. I had nagging back pain on and off but it has disappeared. It really works!

[@Polentaccio]

But did you make it back to the beach to punch the guy that kicked sand in your face? Because that's what matters most! Kapow!!!

[@bulvie603]

In Vietnam a member of my squad sent away for a Charles Atlas course. He then shared the course with some other members to include myself. We were in no position to work with weights, or other equipment, mostly just the manual. It worked. There was one exercise where you imagined you are pulling a rope. At 75 I still use that exercise almost daily, with a few others from the course. It's very doubtful you could build an Olympic physic solely with Dynamic Tension, but you will still get some amazing results.

[@FrankRizzo804]

I purchased the course back in 1972 at the age of 12. It was in the same format as the image at 8:29 of the video. Still have it. I sent away a coupon from a comic book and received an information brochure. The price of the course was (if I remember) around $45.00 which I could not afford. A couple of weeks later I got a lettter saying the price was now $30.00. Then $15.00. Then a final offer for $5.00 which I jumped on. I was one thankful 12 year old. No bulging beach muscles but did tone me up a bit.

[@jomon723]

I got the same back in the 70's till it got so cheap, I took it 💪🏼😁

[@amk8411]

@@jomon723 I feel sorry for the chumps who paid the higher price. 😭

[@Mrfitness4397]

I did the same thing in the 70’s. Got the course for 5 bucks. It got me into fitness.

[@IronViking_931]

When gyms shut down in 2020, your channel inspired me to use Sandow and Atlas’ training systems for my workouts since I had every limited access to weights. I purchased Atlas’ dynamic tension course form his official site, it was an entertaining and collectible read. Using a combination of the light dumbbell system from Sandow and dynamic tension from atlas, I lost zero strength when gyms Re-opened and a actually gained some size. I lost a bit of definition but it was a really fun change up of my routine and kept interest high during a dark time for gym goers!

[@johngerard3218]

Would love to know how the movie star Charles Bronson trained. He had an amazing physique throughout his life, muscular but still athletic.

[@mrpersonality3497]

Im pretty sure he favored dymanic tension like workouts. While he has weightlifted, i know his workout was mostly hard manual labor at first and then exercises to maintain it. He loved working with dumbbells, rope climbing, running, push ups and squats. He would have a piece of surgical tube that he would pull on and would squeeze a tennis ball in his hand. There plenty of info about things he would do out there. I know his nephew wrote an artical about it

[@JoeBuck207]

He did the prison workout no weights.

[@Bob-xs2rf]

He wrote a book called solitary fitness he talks about how he trains in there

[@johngerard3218]

@@Bob-xs2rf thanks but that is the wrong Charles Bronson. The one you mention is a guy in a British prison. I am talking about the late movie star.

[@AmonsRealm]

The convict Charles Bronson was built too

[@Nik2555]

In my mum And dads village there’s an old guy (70s) who is now poorly with MS has to use a wheelchair. But he used to be massively into boxing and fitness and always tells me I should try dybamic tension and Charles atlas methods. To say his age and his condition he still Has the remains of great chest shoulder and arms muscles and is a top bloke 👍

[@geraldfriend256]

The light dumbbell system was also made for bringing the shipping costs of weights down. Atlas prolly lifted quite a bit but was known for light in legs lats etc. Not like he was super jacked even for his day.I have been doing isometrics only during a deload and did not lose much strength.

[@lou36heron87]

thanks for sharing this interesting history of which I can remember: the adds in comic books, buying the Atlas system in the 60's - after asking my dad to get it for my birthday, and then later in the 70's using the Joe Weider course. Both of these used the dynamic tension methods and helped me develop a good foundation in my mid teens to graduate to free weights and machines in spas, health clubs etc. I'm 66 now and still lift and do some tension exercises. Theses videos of the pioneers of bodybuilding have been very good.

[@enochabraham688]

I discovered this system in 2011 and immediately recognized it from reading my dad's comic books from the 60s - 80s. I didn't realize it had any merit until I read it, and began practicing it because it was so approachable. One thing I got caught off-guard by was utilizing it while walking... It was something else. I had been a huge advocate of Indian Yoga, but after practicing it for less than 2 weeks, my hamstring and lower back flexibility was at a completely different level. I also got extreme definition, much easier and dynamic range of motion in my waist and limbs, chiseled facial features and confidence when performing feats of strength. I haven't used weights outside of random testing of capability in lifts since discovering it. Even if you don't practice lifts, systems like these can help you improve lifts by helping you increase your bodily awareness. It has helped me identify how I distribute my weight when performing physical activity, and how certain habits could improve or hurt my ability to perform physical tasks. It's legit, but many people don't know how to engage themselves properly in order to perform these exercises correctly. You have to place a considerable degree of focus on your body, not only with the direct muscles at work, but also toward the optimal placement of the rest of your body while performing the exercise.

[@mayukhsen8195]

Guys, no body needs weights to build pressing muscles. Just do diamond push ups and diamond divebomber push ups for size, the higher your max reps the bigger your pec, delts and triceps are. For strength, do 2 sets of one arm push ups (feet together) till failure in the beginning of each session. This is the key strength movement. You can elevate your legs to make it harder.

[@brianbadonde8700]

we meet again ha ha

[@mayukhsen8195]

@@brianbadonde8700 Yup glad to meet again.

[@brianbadonde8700]

@@mayukhsen8195 👍

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

You're pretty spot-on Carlos....from the stories I've read and heard and from the stories told by Jack Lalanne who was very good friends with Chuck(that's what Jack called Charles). However, Charles actually did use his own courses literally everyday before bedtime. Very nice video. Probably one of my favorites. Great work on the research Carlos. Oh....just a thought Buddy, good chance Elaine LaLanne knew Charles. You should interview her. She 96 with an extremely clear mind and voice. Without doubt she's going to have some great stories.

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

I have an interview with her lined up, juat waiting for the confirmation 👍

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

@@GoldenEraBookworm Ah-man....that's going to awesome.

[@peterjaimez1619]

Dear sir, Charles Atlas did on his course a lot of what is now named calisthenics, and it is possible to have an outstanding physics by so doing. Dynamic tension includes, calisthenics, isometric, muscle control exercises, and tension against your own muscles. You didn't mention that it is perhaps one of the very few system that targets every muscle in the body, including hands and neck. Also I would like your ideas on Maxick, also known as maxalding. Also most people would fail by using weights to get really big. Cheers

[@enochabraham688]

Maxalding was legit, although it takes a decent amount of research to unearth his entire approach. A lot of people can easily find his work on muscle control without mechanical movement. But he did have a series of publications that were devoted to dynamic tension exercises like the ones in Charles Atlas’ course. Some were the same, while others were different. He often employed a smaller range of exercises, and his approach was based on progressively implementing more efficient body movements as you gain strength and greater control. There is a lot of speculation that Maxick utilized weights. Maxick did lift and employed weights to master certain lifting motions. However, that was not the core of his training. He utilized weights only to practice how to lift them properly. Moreover, he implemented light weights that he used to perform the lift in a slow, controlled manner. This was done to learn the chain of muscle movement necessary to perform a lift and control those muscles for maximum force output and efficiency. However, this training was not how he built his physique, and he did not rely on the weight itself to build his muscle. His weightlifting practice was specifically-geared towards learning rather than muscle building. Like many of his contemporaries, Maxick was profusely opposed to training for failure. His training methods were also meant to build energy by stimulating and conserving energy in the nervous system. It was very similar to yoga in its approach, and he placed a lot of attention on using exercise to strengthen the organs and mind. I would say the one weakness of his course is a lack of focus on the legs. In the course titled Maxalding, there is a maximum of 3 exercises that directly focus on the legs. I will say this: a lot of dynamic tension requires strong legs in order to create proper form. Also, using dynamic tension for squats can be somewhat difficult without practice. So Charles Atlas does a lot more to address the legs for beginners than Maxick does. However, this training protocol can sometimes elicit quantum leaps in performance as you practice. It might seem like you aren't making progress, and then you wake up one day and find that your leg strength and muscle control are on a completely different level. I remember practicing this work using squats and I felt like my legs were falling way behind my upper body. However, I was about to miss the bus to work and I decided to chase after it. Man... I had 15 - 20 lbs of material in my backpack and it was in the dead of summer. But I ran the bus down despite it having a half-city-block headstart. Moreover, it felt like I was running on air; I almost felt like I was going to trip because my feet didn't feel as heavy as when I normally ran. Not only was my breathing fairly normal, but I felt refreshed and energized after the incident. There are a lot of layers to this practice that is very hard to find in anywhere else.

[@johnlloyd3224]

​@@enochabraham688I completely agree about the 'layers'; chi kung practice can produce a similar experience in this respect.

[@ASTRUM502]

If you haven't already, do something on Joe Bonomo please. He's an Atlas contemporary, and I read he was to enter that contest with Atlas but got injured and bowed out. Bonono also has many courses using an Atlas-like no-weights system. He also made many books and courses, including, "Barbell Training Routines", and his story "The Strongman". I have a those in my collection and a couple of older magazine sized courses. I also have the Charles Atlas book by Gains and Butler in my collection. Love your vids!

[@General_Kenobi_212]

I've never done Charles Atlas's course specifically, but I've done dynamic tension exercises from Chinese Martial Arts on and off since I was a teen. (Harry Wong's Dynamic Tension book and videos here on KZbin show essentially the same exercises.) It may or may not get you "big" depending on your genetics, but I definitely noticed development, and it does one thing I'd argue better than anything... it teaches mind muscle connection 💪, and control too, as it forces you to really feel and focus on the muscle and movement. I've noticed I've never had as many issues as some lifters with "feeling" a muscle or movement and I attribute that to dynamic tension

[@charlesharsha5973]

Harry Wongs first book was titled Dynamic Tension but he had to change it because Atlas had a patten on it. Wongs book is very detailed and it will tone you up and give you strength. A very good book. Atlas’s stuff works even though u won’t get huge it will get you stronger, more flexible and in better shape. I use to box and wanted to get in better shape( in the 70’s) weights didn’t cut it. So I went to a friend that was a wrestler and he never lifted weights he did the Atlas program. He showed me how to do pushups correctly and other exercises . In one month time I was in better shape then anything else. Years later I worked at a prison and I saw inmates that worked out with calisthenics and they where skinny but inside of a few months they where a lot bigger and in better shape and never lifted weights. So Atlas Wong and a few others stuff does work.

[@jebsdaddy141]

I was a teenager in the 70's and all of the magazines had ads for using a device called "The Bullworker." It featured a muscular guy attributing his muscles to this spring loaded tube with cables attached that would allow a person to do about 30 different exercises. The user would push or pull against the spring and hold it for 8 seconds if I remember right. The ads got me hook, line and sinker.

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

The Bullworker was actually pretty good for defining chest, delts and triceps. I also tried the Atlas course in the late 70s as a teen, with minimal results. Better than nothing. My favorite Atlas exercise was a chest movement where you clenched an imaginary rope at chin level and pulled down hard while flexing your pecs. You'd get a nice pump.

[@darkworld5026]

If you combine bodyweight exercises with the Bullworker, the results will surprise you. I have a 1970s course called Hercules II that combines well with the Bullworker. If you want a free pdf copy, i will be happy to send it to you.

[@wyattb6066]

Charles has a nice pleasant athletic physique

[@juanrodriguez5404]

I think dynamic tension still has merit. Of course it would not turn you into reg park. But i consider dynamic tension also muscle control as a foundation to start build up your body. It has helps for people who can't buy weights or can't go to the gym. Even today gym equipment is still expensive also gym membership. You can combine dynamic tension plus calisthenics and barbell dumbbell training. To create a routine at home to be healthy.

[@joelopez2305]

When I was very young I had a young neighbor who was very skinny. This was in NYC. He got the Charles Atlas Course and after a year of working with it he was transformed into a very well developed muscled body. I was very impressed. I asked if he had used weights. He said no only the Atlas Course.

[@malcolmmcgregor5058]

I think this assessment is spot on. I did the course when I was a teenager in the 70s. It didn’t just consist of dynamic tension. The core of it was things like push ups and free squats. I didn’t exactly go from a 97lb weakling to a he-man, but I went from being below average in sports and athletics in school to above average. So it was well worth it and gave me a confidence boost. But this kind of exercise can only take you so far. If you want to be really strong or have a bodybuilder’s physique you need to lift weights. Like Charles Atlas did.

[@konglives4453]

Your experience sounds very similar to mine when I as a teen in the early 80's. I did push ups and squats holding an old, heavy typewriter from the 1930's or 40's against my chest. Went from 140 lbs to 160 lbs in about 6 to 8 months. A couple of years later I bought the Universal Bodybuilding mail-order course, then a used copy of "Education of a Bodybuilder" and made the mistake of training every day, as Arnold said that he did as a teen. I was over training and only gained another 10 lbs. I couldn't get over 170 lbs no matter how much protein I ate... I was over training and probably my carb intake was way too low as well.

[@gharm9129]

Look up Marlon Birch, he does his own version of Atlas training and is a winning bodybuilder. He also knew Charles secretary and others related personally.

[@Jeff-bv7pw]

I follow his routines. He knows what he is talking about and his system works. I have many of his books and made steady progress on his methods where I have not with 90% of the info out there

[@gharm9129]

@@Jeff-bv7pw Yes, Marlon knows his stuff, he lives it and has proven it time and again. His new protégé will blow ppls minds.

[@seraphx26]

@@gharm9129 I agree I also train in a similar style to Marlon, but who is his protege?

[@johnmontoya2398]

Dynamic tension does build muscle...large muacles. The proper knowledge, skill and execution. I have transformed my body with this system. Again, tknowledge, skilll and execution. Great video.

[@darkworld5026]

I knew Charles V. Atlas (1912 - 2008), son of the late bodybuilder. He told me some interesting stories about his famous Dad. Charles Jr lived in Santa Monica and was an aeronautical engineer. he did not follow his dad into the world of what was then called Physical culture. I have collected quite a bit of Atlas memorabilia over the years, and have two articles, one written by him, and another where he was interviewed, in which he stated that he smoked and drank in moderation. The Dynamic Tension course advises against drinking tea and coffee, but Atlas himself drank expresso. Why not? He was Italian! Charles Jr, stated that his father worked out three days a week, and not the 200 pushups a day as claimed by his publicist, Charles P. Roman. I also had several interesting phone conversations with Mr. Roman, who continued to stick to the comic book story about Atlas copying the stretching and tensing of the big cats in the zoo. His real life story was much more interesting!

[@gregpettis1113]

That's very interesting about atlas working out three days a week. I know that's what most people did back then. So when Charles atlas says in his book that these exercises must be performed everyday he was lying? I'm kind of disappointed

[@darkworld5026]

@@gregpettis1113 Atlas worked out every day until he achieved the body he wanted, then reduced his workouts to three days per week to maintain his physique as he got older. However, his son told me he also swam and ran every other day in between his workouts, so he was always active. The course advises pupils (students) to workout every day to achieve the results they want.

[@ampakumari2440]

Please tell me exact routine of charles atlas the exercises, sets,reps and how many times a week please tell me

[@regcatdog]

okay ,my two cents .both charles atlas and bob hoffman got there start with the a. p. swoboda course . if you look at that course dynamic tension and the lion story make a lot more sense . as for building up your body with just body weight arthur jones once said the best arms he ever saw were on a guy that just did body weight chins and dips ; and damn few of those !

[@MsDasnake]

I've built a good foundation on pushups/pullups and bands. I've had to be creative with strength training because I have a fused spine from an accident. L5-T12. I've been using dynamic tension since last August and have been impressed. Just for fun I got back on the pull-up bar last week and achieved the same rep range (25-30) I had when I stopped doing pullups SEVERAL months ago. I definitely didn't get any weaker. I have modified many of the exercises (especially legs) and am convinced that most of the limitations are in your ability to focus on each rep week after week, month after month. Now I combine dynamic tension with some of my old routine. That being said I don't do ALL of the exercises in the book as some just don't seem to do ANYTHING for me 😅

[@lacanian_lifter]

What a blessing to find this channel. It’s so odd to be alive now, in the age of steroids and 300+ lbs bodybuilders, and to always see oneself as small when one is, in reality, about the same size (or atleast at the same level of development) as one of the absolute greats. I don’t say this to brag, just to say that I am really grateful for this channel and the perspective that it’s author brings back to life.

[@richardyoung1890]

One of the greatest advertising promotions in History! I remember every Comic Book had that ad of the skinny guy getting sand kicked in his face.I even sent away for the initial brochure but used my paper route money to purchase a Dan Lurie 110 lb Barbell Dumbbell set with comprehensive wall chart of Dan doing all the exercises.I think Charles’s Atlas did much to promote physical culture and set people on the road to a good body! He used a lot of Dynamic tension when he carried all those sacks of coins to the bank!

[@ted1045]

I've decided to start doing the Charles Atlas course myself and will have to see how it goes.

[@alexandrelevasseur4186]

So. How did it go?

[@discernment8963]

As a 65 (next birthday) yr old gymrat who's been training since Arnold was competing here's my take. If you're young pretty sedentary with at a normal testosterone level, then you get absolutely religious with a "Dynamic Tension" kind of routine you'll probably see something in a few weeks. That said, you'd have to be pretty Myostatin deficient to see much more than a bit of tone.

[@donaldduke2233]

Absolutely the BEST video of any kind I have seen in years ! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Be assured I have definitely subscribed and rang the bell. I look forward to more informational videos from you.

[@paulosullivan4819]

I remember the original picture of Joe Weider at 7:57. The original picture used a lot of black to cover up how skinny he looked doing the most muscular pose. Later on, when the internet came out, someone photoshopped muscles onto the picture. Since then, the PS version of that picture has circulated. Someone should make note that Weider never got that muscular.

[@raymondfrye5017]

Weider was a scam artist

[@ElmwoodParkHulk]

My friend John was told that his grandmother was involved with Charles Atlas and had his father . My friend John is a genetic marvel who has never lost an arm wrestling match ....big hands and incredible strength that breaks things just by handling it . He has never done any training . I would be interested in having him tested to see if he is in fact his grandson .

[@liamsandal6360]

So, his grandmother had an affair with Mr. Atlas?

[@anthonylaporta1986]

the atlas course is excellent..

[@peterjaimez1619]

Dear Enoch Abraham, you really know your stuff!!! I would like to add: Antone Matysek, Otto Arco, with an approach very similar to Maxick; more resent Tom Buckley with his "Body Tone Course", and Charles Bronson with his "Solitary Fitness" book. My only problem is that people only think of Charles Atlas on reward to the "Dynamic Tension" any one capable of doing 200 push-ups, and 100 squats a day MUST become very strong 😀 Cheers

[@enochabraham688]

Folks get caught up thinking that muscle mass and definition are the only parameters worth focusing on. They rarely think about muscle health and how to strengthen organ function through exercise. The individuals you mentioned had an approach that was far more akin to yoga in its purpose and approach. I mean, I did not expect Dynamic Tension to have a considerable impact on flexibility. But without even focusing on it, and honestly not performing it to the degree outlined in the book, my flexibility took huge strides. I almost flipped myself when I did a standing, bent-over hamstring stretch. I was expecting my range of motion to hit resistance at a certain level, but the stretch was so seamless that I kneed myself in the forehead... Even though my legs were completely straight. I literally almost judo-flipped myself because I wasn't prepared the increased flexibility and range of motion lol

[@antoninosanfilippo2597]

Yes, I bought his course in London back in 1973 at the age of 10, I remember asking my mom to send the money with the coupon and recieved the course 2 weeks later, gosh was I happy.

[@Tancrededebourgogne]

Great video as always, maybe a video on Alexander Zass, he had also his system with isometrics.

[@berniescott4014]

Charles Atlas was a businessman so I wonder about the source of his "inspiration".Martial artists have used their own forms of dynamic tension for centuries developing beautifully chiseled physiques.Although in fairness back in those days he may not have encountered such individuals.

[@thalesanastacio760]

Businessman? I would choose the word "Scammer"

[@gregpettis1113]

Joe Louis used his course as well

[@liamsandal6360]

@@thalesanastacio760 It wasn't a scam for me. I completed the Dynamic Tension course back in 2020. Still doing it daily. The exercises and the advice on food and overall health were a salvation to my life.

[@einarrgrettirsson8004]

​@@thalesanastacio760It takes a scammer to be a successful "businessman".

[@Master-AGN]

What Charles Atlas did in private nobody will ever know except him. However your conclusions differ from the results achieved by Maxick at the turn 19th century. Maxick went as far to criticise Arthur Saxon. Since peak isometric contraction brings your muscle up to 100% exertion, what difference does it make if you’re holding a weight or not?

[@moonsod1113]

Quite right. Spending time under tension, plus rest and food for repair, is what does it. Resistance is resistance. Plus isometrics does not result in damaged joints and torn muscles. Vince Gironda once said: Weights are only tools. George F. Jowett, Maxick, Altlas, Otto Arc, Alexandar Zass and others were extremely strong and very fit.

[@chris2489001]

I remember reading he used to "test" his strength for 2 hrs a day with weights.

[@kristopherfisher2517]

its hard to go to failure with isometric dynamic tension unless you pre fatigue or do it between sets

[@Fireinthestubble]

I just want to say you have the best intro music. Thanks.

[@BigCheech-wy9os]

My great grandfather was from Acri (Calabria). Wow thanks for the info. Great video. I remember seing Atlas Ads in magazines and comics when i was a kid.

[@saldomino1639]

I agree with you Charles Atlas didn’t gain muscle solely with Dynamic tension he had to use weights also and of course Genetics has a lot to do with muscle building thanks for the Video !

[@fredazcarate4818]

Awesome video my friend.

[@cryptohunt2552]

You were generally correct, but some details are inaccurate. I knew his son, Charles Atlas Jr (1918 - 2008) who told me lots of stories about his famous Dad!

[@davethelen4327]

So enjoy listening to your documentries and histories on the Golden age of Bodybuilding.

[@cowboylane1987]

Have you read (Your in Perfect Manhood Charles Atlas ) is show some rare photos of him Lot people on a forum said they got great results off his his course by sticking with it for a year lot people got a ripped physique. His course keep the metabolism high by 15 min workout in mornings and 3 mile walk and 15 min at night . I have just added it with my 531 weights lifting workout Feel like you have more pep and vigor when you do it .I think it good for your health and One of great fitness course ever written

[@robertruschak1964]

Atlas and Earl Liederman were friends and they did strongman shows together and opened a shop where they sold chest expanders, which were a part of Liederman's mail order course. They would exercise with the chest expanders and demonstrated their use to prospective buyers. So, both of them used chest expanders. I've been a friend with Marlon Birch, for about 16 years, and he is a bodybuilder in the UK. He has perfected the Atlas exercises and has a few books out on Amazon. Marlon has only used the Atlas system along with isometrics to achieve his pro card in bodybuilding. So it can be done.

[@gregpettis1113]

He got his pro card with dynamic tension? That's a little fishy

[@peterjaimez1619]

Dear Enoch Abraham. Speaking of health, you perhaps don't know of the " kiveloff isometric" as a purported cure for high blood pressure, and a general improper of physical fitness? I'm impressed on the improvement in flexibility that you mention. Cheers

[@jacksavage7263]

An ancient debate! Usually arguments that Atlas lifted weights go like " it's impossible to build a body like that without weights". I think of Rickson Gracie- very close the the same size as Atlas with an amazing body- also says he didnt lift weights ( tho in prep for his last 2 fights some form or lifting was included ). The Great Gamma and Karl Gotch ( hated weights AND isometrics!- said isometrics have the same "problems" as weight training ) as other examples of muscled bodies built without conventional weight training.

[@RedStoneWhite]

I have an old magazine from 1946 and it has a Charles Atlas ad in it.

[@gregpettis1113]

I know Charles atlas did 200 push-ups a day. Bodyweight squats and did a morning run

[@pauloyeghe1637]

90lbs to 200lbs giant of a man.? I am 230lb so I MUST BE A MONSTER OF A MAN !!!!!!!!

[@ananddeonarine6913]

Haney rambod uses this method after before and between sets of reps .todey it's called time under tension .trying to be modern this or different .but it's the same principle from Charles atlas ..now free weights exercises like pullups and pushups and dips .now renamed calesthenics trying to be modern but it's still time under tension .applied in bodyweight training

[@AmonsRealm]

Isent dynamic basically just isometric workouts? I feel that there is some merit to these exercises.

[@DaDoubleDee]

I was looking through a pdf of the Atlas booklet, and honestly, even if Charles wasn't totally forthcoming with everything he did, you can improve your life quite a bit by following his advice. He has a whole chapter on what to eat, the importance of chewing and how much to eat, just doing this is probably more than enough for the majority of people who find themselves out of shape. I noticed that he even has a breathing technique where you sit a chair and you flex and and extend the spine while breathing, this technique is the same in the book Breathing for Warriors, which is hyper science based. A lot of the stuff he put out is legit honestly, if you do it and also do some heavy lifting you can have a really good healthy life.

[@KjvBob]

I believed Mr Atlas used a combination of the bodyweight exercises, some weights , and dynamic tension. Not total Dynamic Tension.

[@RocknRollkat]

Excellent presentation, thank you ! I highly doubt that Charles built his body simply by using "Dynamic Tension". If it worked, all modern bodybuilders would be using it.

[@martinloo9543]

Looks like you found proof that Charles Atlas lifted weights to build his physique before he won the most perfect physique contest. The news article was from Charles Atlas own explanation and details of his workout and trainer. I have been bodybuilding for a long time and I can tell by the muscular development Charles Atlas had in his prime was not developed from calisthenics and dynamic tension. Also one of his feats of strength was pulling a train. No way 100 repetition deep knee bends will give you that tendon & ligament strength to pull a train. His dynamic tension course will build some muscle tone but not like lifting weights. His program still probably helped hundreds of thousands boys & man get some muscle tone without using any equipment. Another good thing about his program was there is a very low risk of injuries!😊

[@truman5838]

You don't need a gym or weights in order to get into phenomenal shape.

[@non9886]

he definitely did more than just dynamic tension. but dynamic tension, same as light dumbell system or just posing or isometric exercises, can develope or improve physique and are especially good for mind muscle connection and ability to use and contract muscles, especially in isolated exercises. i noticed myself, that after practising my version of light dumbell system i can get more from lifting. it is obvious that most of these oldschool athletes trained strenght not so much power. they could accumulate power but it was mostly mental process or via breathing or so. it enables to get some power without wasting power. today's lifting is mainly egolifting. people use a lot of power to lift more but are not able to target just strenght directly and these trainings are exhausting in general which goes very against old schol system when they trained more for strenght and tried not to waste power but accumulate it. just pr mindset is distroying all what they tried to achieve. that's why they were strong and muscular but also vital and healthy. and usually smarter and intelectually superior compared with today's lifters. need to be said that most of famous oldschool athletes were some kind of professionals so it couldn't be compared with today, when lifting is so wide-spreaded and was kinda mc donalded. also they trained to use it as capital, to develope physique and strenght and then monetize it. most people today go to gym to relieve stress, improve blood flow and metabolism and as complementary to their sedentery or unbalanced labor jobs or so...

[@darvinlobaton4825]

Thomas Manfre was a Mr Universe during the 1950s and he only did Charles atlas dynamic tension. You should do a video about him carlos

[@OTM-101]

Agree with you research 110% awesome video thankyou for sharing

[@Polentaccio]

To be fair to Atlas, outside of the dynamic tension ( which has its place i suppose) he did feature pictures of himself doing various forms of push-ups and dips. I don't know if he mentioned pull-ups but let's be honest, if you eat more and move your own weight through various ranges under control, you can get reasonably built. Works for gymnasts..

[@jomon723]

You should do something on the "Bull Worker" from the 70's and the guy that started that, I think he was Swedish or something 💪🏼

[@MrFredstt]

Looking at these bronze era guys you can just tell they weren't on steroids unlike today where everyone is always accused or at least suspected of being on something. I feel like people now have become unable to be able to tell what is possible naturally and what is not

[@psallen5099]

From my own experience I went to high school with a guy that was very well developed and extremely strong. He crushed everybody in our class arm wrestling at lunch and excelled in sports. The only exercise the kid did was isometrics.

[@theironforce3000]

Excellent historical intro ! I had no idea he was Italian ,let alone what his real name is. Well done ! As for his transformation,I reckon it was a bit of both methods.

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

Yeah, I didn't make that clear enough

[@berserko2008]

I mean look at gymnasts, their arms and upper bodies are very well-developed........ and they just use mostly calisthenics in their training routines.........

[@liamsandal6360]

Exactly.

[@fathercharles5743]

Atlas did a lot of calisthenics , Many of which are in his DT course. And some not. Because he was only listing movements that anyone could do at home. However the extra package He always sent with the course had examples of these. Such as hand stand push ups. Walking on hands etc. He also did other calisthenics. Such as Pull-Ups. just for clarity calisthenics or movements that gymnast would normally use to build strength. And that is at least 50% of how he built his body along with the things listed in his course. But he didn't have to lift weights. Just KZbin bodybuilders on here who train exclusively with calisthenics. Golden arms that guy an amazing physique and all he does is calisthenics so no you don't have to lift weights to have that kind of development

[@danielweston5893]

I did the Atlas course as a teenager. It worked very well. The main exercise was elevated "dips"/pushups, and the other exercises that look like isometrics are not isometrics, they were full range of motion. If one looks at actual footage of Atlas performing them, Here at the 35 and 46 minute mark ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqmmeZaged6Gn7ssi=hP0oRVubMoQuLMTK )one can see them demonstrated. I feel that some of the lack of development that people experienced was as a result of performing the exercises as isometrics rather than range of motion. At any rate, I fully believe that Atlas primarily used DT, but had used weights to a limited extent when he was younger starting out. While his physique was impressive, it wasn't like Jowette or Hoffman. Atlas was always more athletic looking rather than bulky. Kirk Douglass also used Charles Atlas' program for his own physique according to an old interview I read along with some boxer exercises he picked up while filming The Champion.

[@retrobilly1719]

Think there is a lot of good to doing light resistance & Body weight exercises ,Helps with flexibility & Endurance and overall health

[@kennethbill6013]

I definitely see this as a beginners routine for someone beyond lifting weights, cardio or pt. Anyone else think that's what atlas was going for? Something to nudge you in the right direction or to get your feet wet and becoming jacked from there would just be optional

[@gregpettis1113]

Charles atlas greatest selling point was the you can get a great body in the comfort of your home, in 15 minutes a day. Without any equipment. And this is very true. All you need is push-ups and bodyweight squats.

[@dennisdouglas4261]

I believe Shaun T (Beachbody uses the same premise and I got great results when the weights weren't used.

[@Mr75044]

If you want to build muscle with out weights. The main exercise to do are pressups. This is the builder. Don't lock out at the top Dont go all the way down. Keeps tension on & tension builds muscle. With weights its the squat. One press up & you lift 2 thirds of your body weight. Every muscle in your body gets a hit. Biceps on the way down Core back legs feet back hands. isometric Lats at the top of movement Key is speed. Do the press slow. Up and down.

[@rosendovandamme5926]

Are there ways to improve the dynamic tension system for hypertrophy?

[@ASTRUM502]

John Peterson has written some books on this and isometrics.

[@Jeff-bv7pw]

I recommend Marlon Birch. He has built his physique using only dynamic tension. He has won bodybuilding competitions. He knows what he is talking about and has routines that makes the muscles burn without doing endless reps. It works extremely well.

[@seraphx26]

@@Jeff-bv7pw I second Marlon Birch, I have his book Beyond Self-Resistance and trust me it will change anyone's mind on what is possible using dynamic tension only, though I would add that Birch's book should be seen as a stepping stone, it takes a lot of time and experimentation to progress beyond what's in it.

[@camerongormley5258]

Whats your thoughts on nucleus overload

[@daleholte7234]

Yeah I bought his routine out of a comic book, it was okay for those who could not afford weight equipment or still living at home going to school

[@daleholte7234]

But you still can build manually every muscle group just using tension with a broom stick lol

[@germanklenner5671]

Hello: How you say Charles Atlas developed his body by employing not only self-loading exercises but also weights, cables, etc. There is plenty of evidence of the above, being a student of Liederman, owning a gym (which he later sold), etc. In relation to Bob Hoffman's trial, it is remarkable the ambiguous answer Atlas gives when asked if he has used weights in building his physique, as he admits it but only as a challenge. On the other hand, the commission determined that the proposed method improved physical condition, however, at no time did it state that it served to build a massive physique. In any case, the remarkable thing is that he was a pioneer in the diffusion of a healthier way of life. Very good video. Congratulations.

[@RidingOnLight]

💯I believe he did, as your research shows he wasn't seen with heavy weight, light weight more Reps and sets. Palates uses dynamic tension. Tichi is dynamic tension. I've only just heard of this method as a thing, I'm 40 now, n unfit. In my early 20s, we worked out using this same technique. Callisthenics, at the peak, you do too many sets, so you add resistance with light weight, for less reps, same sets. eg, ankle straps and belts during routines, inclined push ups, the ball toss is a good one for core strength. Always using this dynamic tension method without knowing it. I'm 5"4 I was approx 90-95 kgs. Pure mussel, riped af. Literal rock hard abbs. I could dead lift a Suzuki swift from the bull bar easy, it's was a fun party trick, bench girls n ish, man it was fun. #Goldcoast 🇦🇺 #yolo is true facts!

[@mikelroa8719]

Something similar happened to me. I always have had a lot of cats. They dont move if they dont feel like yet have muscular and beautiful bodies. Why do we humans think we have to suffer to have a beautiful body? Has no sense to me.

[@enochabraham688]

The contemporaries of Atlas had a completely different approach to muscle work than the common age fitness approaches that came about in the post-Joe-Weider era. Training to failure was a big no-no, and you trained every day. If you could only do one rep before fatigue was about to set in, you only did one rep. But I haven't trained to failure since I was in college/my early 20s. It's funny that you mentioned cats because Atlas stated that his system was inspired by watching animals. He noticed that they performed their movements and stretches while under tension, and spent a lot of their day resting whenever possible. This inspired him to create a system that performed motion that would put muscle against muscle. I'll tell you this: perform animal crawls utilizing a dynamic tension approach. After a week, you may look completely different lol

[@robertcrowther8202]

How can you keep promoting this nonsense Bob Hoffman took atlas to court where atlas admitted he used weight seems strange that out of the millions of men who did is course not one developed a body like atlas because he was handbalencing.and lifting weights yes you can develop some muscle with dynamic also the film is not sandow it is Washington.irving the false sandow

[@robertcrowther8202]

At last you have done a good job digging up this information thanks for finding these facts on atlas the truth at last

[@fuqui035]

I bought dynamic tension in 1968 got a lot stronger

[@mizukarate]

BROOKLYN!!!!!!

[@AbhishekKumar-lp5rc]

This whole video is bullshit. It was Earl who had lied and used Atlas' name for his mail order course selling and not the other way around. Atlas had experimented a lot with many different exercises and sometimes he did workout with barbells. But that was not a regular thing.

[@colourberry]

Your argument is flawed. You can just see some photos early in his development of him using weights and think that's proof of anything. Bruse Lee before development his own form of martial arts tried and was photographed doing many alternative martial arts. Weights are just tension. The difference is that dynamic tension has a much greater range of movement and importantly the resistance reduces the more tired you get allowing you to go way past the point of failure a barbell etc would have. Really smashing muscle if you want causing those fibres the damage they need to regrow more, bigger. IF the person has the motivation to do it hard enough.

[@barcadna]

My opinion is that genetics has a lot to do with it. The Belgian Blue breed of cow is often described as "double muscled", with very little fat. The offspring of a certain female East German olympic athlete had a muscular physique as an infant, yet was barely standing, A female colleague who was heavily built but no athlete commented to me about her brother's physique. I think that you can guess what he looked like? Bruce Lee is an example to slender men of what is possible.

[@eefaircloth9671]

I remember the ads in wrestling magazines when I was a kid in ‘70s. Looking back, I wish I had gambled a stamp to see what it could have done for a 7 year old Harley Race wannabe.

[@joeschmo2693]

They were still running those ads in comics when I was a kid in the 70s. I can't give him credit for advancing physical culture. Let's face it, it was a scam. He knew he had built his foundation with weights, then lied about it for cash. I call that setting physical culture back. Judging by his pictures, 'dynamic tension' didn't work on leg day.

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

I remember those ads too.

[@geraldfriend256]

Ah yes and the light dumbbell systems of bronze era. Fake

[@IGeorge94]

@@geraldfriend256 I have to disagree. I did Professor Attila’s 5 LB routine & was getting good results. Alone it can give you good results, though for better results I would suggest doing the Light Dumbbell System first then doing a heavy resistance training after for even better results.

[@ASTRUM502]

I believe his system is not a "scam". Joe Bonomo had a similar system. Atlas did lift weights. But I believe he built his body with DT. Like Zass built his with isometrics, but these guys were strong and lifted weights at times too.

[@IGeorge94]

@@ASTRUM502 Yeah Isometrics can be quite effective, you just need to know what to do.

[@ananddeonarine6913]

Joe weider was money later on with competition from Bob Hoffman

[@5krnr]

An athletic physique is a good physique.

[@luthiervandros]

Little known fact. The last set of the original routine was comprised of sand kicks. It’s where you find a skinny guy on a beach towel enjoying the sun with his gf and then you kick sand in his face. He then buys the atlas book and finds you the following summer and punches you in the face. It caused a self defeating feedback loop, so it was deleted.

[@berserko2008]

That's like those KZbin guys who only use calisthenics for muscular development...... like bodyweight exercise resistance, I'm old-school when it comes to bodybuilding however, using heavy compound movements........

[@annermiraval8598]

How the Tiger or Gorilla are so POWERFUL without WEIGHTS????

[@iancavon7125]

I can't tell you why as I'm no scientist, but strangely it's a fact that humans are the only species on the planet with poor (even atrophying) muscle if not exercised regularly and vigorously. Other species, mammals and reptiles alike, can doze 23 hours a day and yet remain powerful beasts. Provided there's enough food, their muscles just won't shrink.

[@einarrgrettirsson8004]

As someone who loves cats and is in touch with reality, I can answer. Genetics and constant movement. The problem with us is that we are _always_ seeking comfort-even though we already have way too much of it and it shows in our increasing weakness and softness-and always have been, since the advent of the Agricultural Revolution. A grain-based diet has obviously not done us any favors either; it just degenerated us physically, intellectually, and ultimately, genetically. Our brains are composed of fat (at least primarily) and our muscles are flesh. Yes, we need carbohydrates, but fruits have always been sufficient. Grain just rots our bodies. And one cannot build muscle (flesh) without meat ("Fleisch" is German for "flesh"/"meat"), just like the brain needs a higher fat to carbohydrate ratio. Whether or not it's in our nature as humans to sabotage ourselves genetically, well... I affirm that we are a self-destructive species, and I will always maintain my stance on that fact- or on what at least appears to be fact. Reverting to the subject of constant movement, though, the old time strongmen were practically invariably involved in manual labor work. Steve Justa himself, as well as John Grimek, worked in a foundry at some point in his life while still tending to his farm. In manual labor, you will be lifting weight, whether it's constantly moving light to moderate weight for long periods of time or moderate to heavy weight for relatively shorter periods. Inevitably, it's irrelevant, as it all adds up to the total work volume. Rewind to the Stone Age, we were always walking and gathering, hunting, fishing, building shelter, making clothes and wares, fighting, duelling, warring... And as a bonus and fun fact, housewives in the 1980s had a stronger grip than most men today. LOL! Isn't that something?

[@3Pillers]

Hmmm….. are we assuming that Joe Weider was honest, can we trust what he had to say about a rival? One thing we can be sure of, all the gadgets and supplements that he advertised were and did exactly as he said they would. By the way Joe did have a mail order course, no weights, just photos and body weigh exercises.

[@freqeist]

when did bench pressing come in as their pecs look under developed

[@rustyshackleford735]

Unless he was like 6'3" I don't think he was 200lbs. If he was average height he was more like 170-180lbs.

[@hemi5.7awdpursuit5]

Wow 200lbs that’s really big jumping from 97lbs I figured 250lbs was a lie