Tips on Building Muscle Naturally on a Total Gym

[@staciejackson7497]

I got my machine in Jan. I am turning 55 this year, and was feeling weak and too easily tired by heavy garden work. I have lost 17 lbs and gained a good deal of strength in my legs. My arms and upper body are a work in progress and I have always been underwhelmed by my upper body strength. This channel motivates me, even though my goals differ from yours. Thanks for giving great ideas on creative ways to use the machine, and keep things interesting.

[@hybridresistance]

Thank you for sharing and for the positive comments Stacie. I’ll be putting out another video soon that might help you based on what you’re saying you do.

[@theshawman6074]

Hands down the best sliding bench channel on youtube. Another good video. I love my total gym fit. I have had mine for the last three years. After I tore my tendon from my forearm and having surgery to bring my bicep muscle back to its normal position from my shoulder, I bought my total gym because I read that it was the best equipment for rehab and it proved to be right. Prior to that I was in the gym all the time. I almost solely used my total gym now and have had great success and gains. Your channel is my primary channel for sliding bench. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos.

[@hybridresistance]

Thanks so much, means a lot. Have you found any issues or work arounds for any pain in your forearm when using the machine? Just curious if the TG was hard all being on the incline. Thanks for watching.

[@theshawman6074]

@@hybridresistance I did the complete rehab for my arm myself. I started out first with strengthing my tendons with simple stress ball or ballon with sand just to get my grip going. I also used rubber bands that fit around each finger to stretch the fingers outward and did that until I progressed to the hardest one and it broke. I had to slowly stretch my arm out because it was in a cast in a bent position for so long. When it cane to the total gym I didnt push it to hard right away eben though I wanted to. I started at about level 3, then 4, then 5 and so on until I got full strength back but I wouldnt move the climb up until I could do at least 30 reps with my arm. Fast forward I have full range of motion and I feel stronger then I did pre-injury. I am a big fan of the total gym and most of my strength training is based off the total gym. I do have a barbell for deadlifts and power cleans. I have dumbbells fr farmers walks. Your channel was one I watched the most because I came from my garage gym traditional lifts so you helped figure out the besr way to use my total gym. So I am thankful to you for that.

[@jamestallo8949]

You are so spot on covering all points in this video! Everything you talk about totally relates to what I am doing using my Total Gym, you are a true asset to the fitness community Mike! Yes please make a video covering nutrition in general, I feel that I have done well losing 100lbs over the past year but am also trying to build muscle, this is a struggle for me at times but I keep pushing and look forward to tips from you!

[@hybridresistance]

That's an amazing accomplishment James. I'd love to know what were some things that worked best for you in sticking with it. I will make more nutrition videos in the future for sure. Thank you for the positive comments and for watching.

[@jamestallo8949]

@@hybridresistance honestly just discipline and consistency when it comes to nutrition, that has been my staple for sure. I drink about a gallon of water every day and have eliminated 90% of all sweets, processed foods, sugary drinks, etc. It's so true 80-85% is nutrition, excercise is for building strength/muscle.

[@andrewk473]

As always very motivating. Your videos have a way of challenging me to try something new and at the same time be OK at my present level. Due to health issues (kidney transplant) my doctor encouraged me to go on a plant based diet. Plant protein is better for me than animal protein as it's easier on my kidney. I use a plant based protein powder. I avoid Whey protein powder and Creatine would probably wreak havoc on it. I have had this kidney for 20 years and am still going strong but doing everything to protect it and just be the best version of myself I can be. Thanks again!

[@hybridresistance]

Thanks so much for that great comment. I try to make sure people don't get caught up in the obsessive side of fitness that can make us feel down on ourselves, so I appreciate that. I touched on it a bit in past videos, but I dabbled in a vegan diet for over 4 years awhile back and experimented with a good number of plant based sources of protein. Again shameless plug, but bulksupplements.com does sell a good pea protein isolate which is a good source of protein and basically has minimal taste so it's great for smoothies. I used to also blend / mix other plant based sources together like hemp as well.

[@knassiri5600]

Great tips focusing on what matters and keeping things simple. I'm creeping up on 52. I was able to start being consistent on the TG in mid April. My 15 yr old son started training around the same time with his friends at the local gym. It's been pretty fun comparing notes and progress. He's getting great results, but he's genuinely surprised at the results I'm getting considering it's only the TG I'm using. Although, in the last week I did introduce a kettlebell to my routine for the lower body which complements the TG nicely. The Navy method for calculating body fat has me down to 14% (69.5" height, 165lbs). My goal is to get down somewhere between 10-12 by August. I just started creatine last week 5g a day, nutrition/macros are dialed in, so I'm looking forward to see the results over the next couple months. Big thanks to you, your content has been super helpful in my journey and allowed me to get the most out of the Total Gym.

[@hybridresistance]

That’s a great comment, love hearing about you guys comparing results. Also good to hear you started adding creatine to the mix. My older brother is approaching 50 but still can’t convince him to give creatine a try even though he consistently resistance trains.

[@billdee814]

I love the total gym... You do have to be balanced athletically to use it 100% because some of the exercises take coordination. However, it is a complete muscle toning compact gym and you can modify the resistance with rubber bands or plate weight. Its actually a genius innovation for an affordable home gym. Hey.. if you want to be a body builder join a gym and do free weights, but the total gym is an excellent addition to any one's home gym workout.

[@whiteknucklestormchasing]

Yes!! Biggest thing I've noticed is my joints feel better and i don't have muscles knots as with traditional training. Makes me wonder if I'm not training hard enough using the TG.

[@4kats]

Nice to catch up on your videos. You look great! 👀

[@hybridresistance]

Appreciate that and good to see you in the comment section again. Hope all is well with you.

[@loulopez554]

So glad you brought this up as I know several men on TRT and the first thing the doctor asks them is are you ready for a long term commitment? People need to realize that once you start you can't just stop cold turkey as your testosterone will be nothing for quite a while.

[@hybridresistance]

You're right Lou. I'm sure if it's dialed in right, it could make someone feel and be better, but the thought of being dependant on the drug would bother me for sure.

[@mczilla8628]

Great video mike i think you hit everything we need i totally agree about cutting out the negativity you were spot on with that. Great stuff my man.

[@hybridresistance]

Appreciate it brother. Another reason I love putting out these videos, you guys are always positive. Thanks again for watching.

[@mikemacneil2317]

Hi Mike, thanks for another informative video! I'd be very interested in you in expanding in lifestyle considerations in a future video.

[@hybridresistance]

Thanks Mike, I'll look into doing that.

[@mikeervin7654]

Putting the bands on there is kinda like adding a bowflex concept to it.

[@hybridresistance]

I used to throw them on more often and am finding they're great to bring out as I've been working outside.

[@yugiohvalley]

I'd love a simple muscle building routine using the total gym that we can rotate through different workouts

[@hybridresistance]

I'll be putting more together, but I'm not sure if you ever caught some of the previous programs I put together. You can find some here: kzbin.info/aero/PLUiiIHn087rHuybOpqq2XASCie3tuGXFP I also have a PDF you can get from my website if you sign up to list. Thank you for watching.

[@amazonhealer]

Great video! The nutrition part was a ++

[@hybridresistance]

Thank you. I cut a lot of stuff out and was concerned I should have added more detail. Just hard not to make it a long video.

[@13Ambro]

Very informative and motivational. I noticed that on the upper body exercises it looked like you were not using supplemental weights. Do you find that the settings of five or six on the total gym are enough to train your back and chest ? I imagine that you would be doing multiple sets of this to get the intensity, or would you also do less volume with heavier sets with let’s say a supplemental weight bar and plates?

[@hybridresistance]

I honestly mix it up and just depends what equipment is around me and what I feel like using. There's many times I just the TG with no additional tension at either the 3/4 or full settings. And then sometimes I'll just throw on 45s, a band, or a weight vest to and complete my workout. But yes, if it's no extra weight, I'll naturally be doing more reps/volume usually.

[@terrywarchief5647]

You're looking great! Your proportions are really good with good mass. I'll send you some pics when I'm ready I have the before.

[@hybridresistance]

Appreciate that Terry.

[@mehardin]

I definitely feel like I "don't have hormones in my favor." I'm 59 and have had low T for over a decade. I tried TRT for a short period of time, but it was a pain to apply the gel, it was expensive, it didn't help "in the bedroom" and I was afraid it would shut down my ability to produce endogenous T.

[@hybridresistance]

I know people that had "low T" or least a low score, that eventually stopped worrying about it and now feel / performing good, just not trying to fixate on the number. Not to say your situation isn't legitimate, but sometimes the mind / lifestyle factors can make things worse.

[@instantinbound5077]

I just got my machine, this is great advice!!!

[@hybridresistance]

Thank you and have fun with the new machine.

[@justinw1765]

I just realized that creatine monohydrate has a similar effect on me as the A1 casein found in regular cow milk--makes me mucousy AF. Kind of a bummer. But I think I can get around it with culturing it in some A2 only cow or goat milk. Heck, might even add some Leucine, hemp seeds, and whey or green pea concentrate protein to it, and make it a super supplement. Just found out that cricket powder is pretty much like a super food. Super high in high quality protein, high potassium levels, has significant omega 3, 3x the amount of B12 as salmon, significant amounts of calcium, magnesium, iron, etc. Apparently the taste is mostly neutral with a nutty type flavor. Toying with the idea of growing my own crickets for making my own super protein powder. Fairly ethical too, because what you do, is you freeze towards the end of their life cycle, and it is a very non painful way to kill them. I'm very much against juicing and even want to avoid TRT as a long as possible. But I am experimenting with a combo of Longjack, Fadogia Agrestis, Ashgwandha, and Saw Palmetto to help boost Test and regulate conversion into DHT. (Reason being, is the last time I started to work out, without most of the above, after a couple to few weeks, I started to lose quite a bit of hair).

[@hybridresistance]

Thanks for sharing all of that Justin. Don't know if I'm ready to jump into cricket powder, but I'm sure I'd get used to it. I also tried many experiments with many of those natural test boosting supplements. I now avoid them as well as I had some experiences that I can't confirm, but though I may have had a negative effect on my mood coming off them.

[@justinw1765]

@@hybridresistance Interesting, thank you for sharing that. Yeah, I imagine different people probably react to these things somewhat differently. One thing I have noticed, that I don't like, is that if I don't take the combo of F.A. and Longjack early enough in the morning, I tend to have a harder time getting a good nights sleep (which is obviously very detrimental to Test levels). Ashwangdha seems to improve my mood in and of itself when I cycle it properly, though. It doesn't directly boost Test, but may help by reducing cortisol, and having an overall balancing and health inducing effect on the body (kind of the layman's definition of an "adaptogenic").

[@mugman2582]

Great video Mike! I love bulk supplements L- citrulline. About 9 grams 45 min prior to workout gives me a great pump. It's in most pre workouts but very underdosed or they'll use inferior malate. Have a good weekend. 👍

[@hybridresistance]

Thank you for that. I just ordered some more L-Citrulline coming in. I haven't dabbled in that many grams, but I will give it a go based on your suggestion. I just wish bulk supplements could get ahold of nitrosigine.

[@mugman2582]

I would love to try that. I'm not a stim guy but I'm addicted to that pump. Most quality "pump" pre workouts will have 6-9 grams citulline. I just don't want all the other ingredients. Go over and check out Garage Gym Homie. His supp reviews are great.

[@lntaylor69]

Hey where you obtain those large orange Resistance bands from

[@hybridresistance]

They are UndersunFitness Bands you can find them on amazon here amzn.to/3bU4cxK or you can also SAVE 10% OFF your order of using Code "PHFitness" at Undersunfitness.com. They are my favorite loop style bands.

[@DaviWalt]

I’m definitely going to use that discount code for supplements… BCAA, Creatine, Whey, etc.

[@hybridresistance]

Really appreciate that man, thank you.

[@robw1031]

I love Bulk Supplements! I make my own electrolyte drinks with their products and use their multivitamins. You can save a significant amount of money with their products. I just re-upped with your code Thanks!

[@hybridresistance]

Thanks Rob, I really appreciate that! Got to fill me in on your electrolyte mix. And thanks for that butcher recommendation on that previous video. That video had an issue with it so I had to take it down.

[@MC7791]

Good stuff. Problem is some of the negative stuff cant be avoided. I will keep my focus on Nutrition. But I have a question. How do you know if you are getting enough protein?

[@hybridresistance]

I hear you Mike about the Negative stuff. I know even internal negative thoughts can plague us all. I’m of the belief now that it does take work and effort to ensure that I’m in control as much as possible of keeping myself positive. Based on the research if you’re getting (1.2 - 1.7g per kg of bw you should be fine. You certainly could dial it in but likely not necessary. I don’t think you need to directly measure it everyday but if you are getting at least 25-30g at (3 meals) plus snacks / shakes it shouldn’t be too hard to reach that goal.

[@MC7791]

@@hybridresistance thank you

[@quantumhealthandnutrition]

*MOST UNDERRATED VIDEO*

[@hybridresistance]

Thanks man.

[@manish8378]

iam skinny what to do 😔

[@hybridresistance]

If it were me, I'd be making friends with lasagna and pizza.

[@marinechapssemperfiout9939]

I like your language! Semper Fi

[@hybridresistance]

Thanks brother

[@marinechapssemperfiout9939]

@@hybridresistance OOHRAH! Semper Fi