Why I started bodybuilding

[@NaturalHypertrophy]

Great video, Alan. Making people realize that there is a MASSIVE difference between pro-bodybuilding and NATURAL bodybuilding is what I (and many others) are trying to do with our channels. Every time I hear criticism levied against bodybuilding, it is always against the enhanced side of the coin, but for some reason, natural bodybuilding also unjustly gets added to the mix, because people (sometimes out of ignorance, sometimes malice) constantly conflate the two. The difference between natural and enhanced bodybuilding is like the difference between Heaven and Earth: one represents a fountain of youth, a way to progress both physically and mentally for as long as you live, while the other is a one way ticket to a host of physiological & psychological issues leading to an early death. If more people gave natural bodybuilding a shot, I think that their experience would be similar to yours: they'd realize that the training is actually quite fun & intense, and that it is nothing like the boring pump, chicken & rice routine promoted by pro-bodybuilder lifestyles. It looks to me like we are on the brink of entering a Golden Age of natural bodybuilding. Much work must still be put in, but as you've mentioned, people like GVS, Basement Bodybuilding & others are putting out great content that is slowly ushering us towards it. Having you, one of the OGs of KZbin Fitness, join the movement is probably one of the greatest thing that could have happened to natural bodybuilding. I am certain that through your influence, many will find their flame for lifting reignited as well. Btw, biceps looking thick!

[@K4R3N]

Checking out your channel!

[@StefanosMarinos]

This is because of you don't forget that

[@locomike102]

Natural bodybuilding is in a weird place--not seen as extreme enough to warrant attention from some, and too closely associated with the super-enhanced side to be of interest to others. I'm 48, and started the bodybuilding journey after losing a ton of fat and wanting to look good in a t-shirt. I commend all the channels that are promoting natural bodybuilding and showing people what that actually is. You and GVS have opened my eyes to what can be achieved naturally and as more people see that, I think interest will snowball!

[@jeanvictorhajjar]

Gros fan de ton channel mon gars, et comme celui d avant a dit, c est grace a toi qu Allan aussi mtn s applique au hypertrophy training. 💪

[@likemy]

well said. I think people should check out NattylifeYT's channel; he profiles a lot of silver-era bodybuilders who competed before steroids hit the scene. If you read the biographies of these men and women, they all lived very long and quality lives--many of them kept their physicality well into their twilight years. Compare that to the dysmorphic fallen souls who die at 40 after wasting their youth pinning bathtub tren. They live and train completely differently. Hopefully natural bodybuilding competitions displace the diseased standards by which the Olympia judges

[@cammackk]

I think it's important to remember in the early and mid 20th century bodybuilders, powerlifters and strongmen we all effectively the same people and a person would compete in one, would at least dabble in the other

[@howitzer92]

Absolutely. Franco Columbu competed in the first WSM.

[@DCJayhawk57]

I think in the pre-drug eras, it was widely accepted that getting stronger also gets you bigger (all else being equal, like comparable technique). If you look at the Silver Era bodybuilders, they often trained high volume, full body, and very close to failure. That's not so different from a lot of natural bodybuilders today. Funny, eh? Hersovyac is ridiculously jacked and aesthetic, but trains in nearly the strength range on most movements (5-6 reps!).

[@howitzer92]

@@DCJayhawk57 From what I've heard, the training isn't that much different between natty and non-natty. It's more that enhanced lifters grow faster and can hold more mass. The mechanism for getting stronger is also the same. A lifter on gear has more muscle mass and therefore more potential to lift more.

[@stefs]

​@@howitzer92in the first WSM, _everybody_ competed!

[@breakz10]

​@@howitzer92Check out Leroy colbert's videos. A silver-era bodybuilder the difference is that back then they only trained 3 times a week. These days a lot of people are copying what the steroid guys are doing And wonder why it doesn't work. I can only recommend Leroy Colbert Videos (Mr yokieloverfitness) and in his time Reg Park (Arnold's role model) were Steve Reeves ,George Eifermann All training only 3 times a week.

[@hotdogint]

The biggest takeaway I've had with bodybuilding over the past year is that it's much more intentional than originally thought. Every movement has a purpose and is never tacked on just because. Since strength is not the focus, it's easier to maintain steady intensity throughout a workout. It's nice being consistently strong week to week instead of managing fatigue by manipulating percentages.

[@DCJayhawk57]

Unless you're a psycho bodybuilder like me who still deadlifts twice a week and squats 3x a week lol. I follow a hybrid program, and even with bodybuilding acrue a ton of fatigue through taking compound movements in proximity to failure. I'm about 70/30 bodybuilding to strength training at the moment. If you're natural, I think strength should still be a primary driver. You just need to be deliberate on your rep ranges and technique. I still do some work in the 5 rep range though most comes in the 8-15. Make your movements inefficient and milk the stretched position, but otherwise, you should still be lifting explosively and trying to increase the weight on the bar or dumbbell.

[@hotdogint]

@@DCJayhawk57 Agreed. Strength is always going to be part of the equation. The nuance is building specific strength for movements vs using strength more as a variable to manipulate as a result of gaining muscle. Said another way (as you mentioned) training for strength is about getting the weight from A to B in the most efficient way possible. Training for a stimulus is about getting the weight from A to B while creating the most tension on the target muscle.

[@EarhirX]

To be fair, it has become more intentional than it was in the golden era

[@MrCatgroove]

Completely agree. It's refreshing because most periodization models for strength, even the concurrent ones like ES by RTS or the meta in USAPL, are meant to peak you on a certain day. You are supposed to be the strongest on your primary days and all other days are there to facilitate that. Bodybuilding, and to an extent general strength training, does not care about that. Each session is much more equal, and you expect your performance to be much more constant than with strength training. You don't have to show up on a specific day so you can be competition ready. This makes every session matter more in a sense, and each set too, because you are always going hard, on every set, and you accept that your strength will not always be peaked.

[@shoe_gaze]

@@DCJayhawk57 is the hybrid program your mentioning one you've made, or something we can all look up? i've also followed a hybrid program for quite awhile now, and have seen great results, but it is self-made, so it's most likely not as optimal as it could be

[@arcaneknight9799]

Jason Bloho is going to cry when he learns this.

[@LilTreat]

Never heard of her

[@neversate]

Coath is AYLOT bigger in person

[@nyud]

no coathc never cry 😠😠😠

[@frankchen4229]

Non negotiable

[@RC-pg5sz]

I am 81 have been working out on and off since my teens. I have been impressed with your videos for several years, mainly because you are open to evidence. I was especially impressed with a video you did a while ago on injuries. I summarized that as "too much load to soon" which accorded well with my own painfully experience. Since I'm unlikely to be successful chasing new strength PRs, I will be very interested in what you have to say on this topic. I will stay tuned.

[@tasos1112]

are you still jacked sir

[@RC-pg5sz]

@@tasos1112 This has always been a hobby for me. I had to look up "jacked," which means muscular but not necessarilly ripped. I am not now and have never been ripped. Now and then people notice and comment that I seem in good shape for my age. If you are asking because you are wondering how fit you can stay if you keep it up, my experience: Work hard, be regular, avoid injuries and yakking at the gym you will be strong in your 80s. I laid off the gym two years for the pandemic, kept resonably fit with pushups, pull ups, biking and fast walking. I have been back in the gym regularly for 7 months. I weight 144, am 5' 5". My one rep max on bench is now 205. I can do 9 strict dead hang pullups, 50 strict pushups. I use 12*45 plates on our leg press (a sled) and tipically just count reps until I get to 100, using as many sets as that takes. I'm getting stronger gradually. If you avoid injury you can stay pretty strong. I am stronger in these limited modalities than perhaps 80% of the highschoolers who work out at my gym. I can't run or jump worth a damn.

[@propro-uv7or]

Were you born in 1981, or are you 81 years old this year?😮

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

🤟

[@RC-pg5sz]

@@propro-uv7or Born 1942, 81 this April

[@AYstrength]

The natty bodybuilding community is growing 🔥🔥

[@m00nkiid]

its a beautiful thing to watch

[@derKischda]

Everybody starts natty...

[@sabelch]

Transparency coupled with high quality information has to have helped here.

[@meta1storm]

@@derKischda but few people pursue bodybuilding naturally at the highest level

[@newuser689]

@@derKischda dont need to be unnatty when im this big already

[@strongwiseandfree]

Alan, you are an absolute legend. I love how you've embraced the "Noble Naturals" and are shouting out their channels, when you taught them how to squat all those years ago. I had the same misconceptions about bodybuilding, and was brought around by the same crew.

[@Jimlifts1]

Yeah, agreed. Many of us 30 year old boomers learned how to Squat, Bench and Deadlift from Mr Thrall, glad he found this side of the internet. I've always been in to strength but getting more into size and strength these days. A 500lb deadlift isn't making my arms any bigger

[@kylepracz]

I've slowly come to terms with my own shift, leaving rugby after a life time of playing and moving into the Highland Games as well as bodybuilding has been a huge personal transition as well. In my case, injury prevention from rugby and asymmetrical muscular and strength development from highland games has been solved by moving into body building, even if it's not for competition but for symmetry and health. It's a lot to shift your mindset and I'm glad that I have a healthy example in you to enjoy the journey with. I wish you the best and as always Train Untamed.

[@samwroblewski748]

Started hypertrophy training to phase out of rugby. Needed a longer term goal. Something I need focus on for 12+ months at a time. I can sub legs days for explosive movements and sprinting when necessary in-season

[@HooDRidEWhiteY]

I've been thinking about highland games now as I'm retiring from PL and SM. What caused your imbalance do you think? I'm vaguely familiar with HG movements so just curious. I'm guessing all the throwing.

[@kylepracz]

@@HooDRidEWhiteY the imbalances already existed, I'm a righty so naturally my right side is a little stronger. The highland games uses single arm throws for most of their events minus a few, and when you're getting into the sport it is much more important to learn and practice the throwing forms than it is to lift heavy in the gym. I always tell people that the weights are reasonable, but being expected to throw them a sufficient distance is the unreasonable part. So I went to the park with my home made weights and drilled 2 times per week, using almost exclusively right handed throws (shotput, weight for distance with 2 different weights, hammer throw right handed, weight for height right handed). And really tried to hone my skills there. Of course I kept up on the gym side of things, and the gym kept me pretty even, but it's the size and strength you get from throwing that led to noticable imbalances within a year and a half.

[@HooDRidEWhiteY]

@@kylepracz Thank you for the well thought out response my brother in strength! I appreciate you. I'm already a walking wreck of sports injuries and HG seems much easier on the joints than powerlifting and strongman implements. Best of luck to you in the future Sir.

[@tv26889]

Dk metcalf would destroy you

[@theFriendlyGhst]

I love that natural hypertrophy both the youtube channel and the concept are getting the love they deserve lately.

[@King0Jingaling]

Bodybuilding is the best base for everything, more muscle makes ANY athlete regardless of their chosen sport BETTER.

[@MrPtrlix]

Having done an arm day for the first time in my 4 years of training, it was a welcome surprise to see how fun it is to get a good arm pump.

[@Alexor715]

And are you interested in pumping the muscle or actually growing it...?

[@Dtaysh]

@@Alexor715to some degree the pump can create growth

[@morganfreeman8230]

​@@Alexor715getting a pump is a good sign that you're doing something right unless it came from supplementing

[@PauIdenino]

​@@Alexor715Are you interested in growing the numbers on the bar or growing your muscles...?

[@AIK.1891]

A full workout just arms?

[@DCJayhawk57]

I'm happy you've come over to the Chadside. We're happy to have you. There's no reason you can't be a strong bodybuilder. Alex Leonidas and Bald Omni Man are great examples of this. I've always been in this boat as well, I like to have strength numbers to chase at the same time as getting in volume for hypertrophy and chasing aesthetics.

[@zerrodefex]

There's no such thing as "show muscle" as far as I'm concerned.

[@louisemmett1999]

I am so excited about the future of this channel Alan, I love your open minded approach to everything

[@acap5399]

Alan I'm 52 and have been training naturally for 36 years and the benefits are great. I have connected more with my training; especially, after I tore my rotator cuff over 10 years ago and had to change the way I approached my trainings. I am stronger mentally and physically, then I ever was in my 20's and 30's and 40's and have always considered myself a hybrid of both camps of strength and build, including mobility, flexibility and stability. Thank you for all that you do.

[@noboundariesburnhws]

Finding basement bodybuilding’s channel was the best thing to happen to my training. It completely changed my view on training. Almost 1.5inches on my arms in under a year, and that was after literally years of stagnation due to basically neglecting/half-assume arm isolations

[@khyogre]

Crazy timing for this video! I used to compete in amateur strongman but unfortunately suffered a compression fracture in my thoracic spine + two squashed discs. This means squatting, deadlifting, overhead pressing, and bearing vertical load gives me a lot of pain. Given my situation I have recently gotten much more into bodybuilding after holding the same opinion of it just being "fluff exercises and men in g-strings on stage", and I must say I'm having a blast. I am still limited in my exercise selection, but it means I can really push myself with e.g. belt squats and stiff-legged deadlifts and still see progress. I think it come down to the sheer love, or maybe fear of living without, training in the gym 😅

[@brettgetsfit]

For my self I I'm trying to find that good balance of improving strength as well as developing a better physique. I waited wayyyy to long to start, 37 years old, but I want to be the best version of my self for me and my family.

[@WobblePizza]

Speaking my language. I switched: way fewer injuries, way more fun in the gym, I look a lot better, and I think practically I'm stronger than when I was powerlifting. ALSO I find that some people barely respond to strength training yet they do respond to bodybuilding. Interesting to see.

[@jelly42]

Shoutout to basement bodybuilding, straight to the point and gives you practical advice constantly from a combination of real experience and research

[@AlexWitoslawski]

NH got you bodybuilding, but for me, Alexander Bromley got me bodybuilding. All of his talking about "base building" and so on, and how someone who trained like Arnold for a few years would have a better base for Strongman and Powerlifting than someone who did Starting Strength and Texas Method, got me to try bodybuilding - and right now I'm really enjoying it. Massive Iron (Steve Shaw) also inspired me a bit, since he talks a lot about powerbuilding and getting strong on all movements. Natural Hypertrophy, Basement Bodybuilding, Iron Culture, Renaissance Periodization, etc. are all really good too, but I keep coming back to Bromley and Massive Iron (and of course your channel!) for sound advice. I'm glad you're also hopping on the bodybuilding/hypertrophy train.

[@dogguy5405]

I don't think renaissance periodisation is good regardless of his qualifications and he's not natty

[@AlexWitoslawski]

@@dogguy5405 I don't think it really matters. He's a coach and a scientist, he looks at the data and trains guys who are natties. Lots of naturals (e.g. Alex Leonidas, Jeff Nippard, Eric Trexler, Eric Helms, Omar Isuf) follow a similar way of training.

[@TheNotimprezed]

You do realize early in his career Arnold trained with 5s and long rest periods right? He was a 700lb deadlifter. Strength should really be a priority in early training because you can actually recover from it. People all to easily get tricked by this as a novice. They see an influencer touting light weight high reps and think that's what they should do. The influencers fail to mention the basic LP they did to get strong 1st. Your "light volume training" should be deadlift 405 for sets of 12, squat 365 for sets of 12, bench 275 for sets of 12, etc. Thats light volume.

[@zerrodefex]

@@dogguy5405 I mostly got tired of RP's tendecy to start clickbait drama with other channels and I feel like they're doing it deliberately with each other as well given how often it happens. You could almost set your watch by how quickly they respond to one another.

[@maypalmer]

Love this Alan!! How confirming to hear you share your thoughts with us! I am a 60 year old woman and STILL making gains!!! 😊

[@juhopitkaranta6883]

I think in general some kind of a powerbiulding approach is the most universal. Most people want to look better and become more ”functional” in the sense of having more strenght in everyday situations. The difference comes only in specifics of which one cares more about. If you care more about size, you’re still doing strenght work to better your ability to produce pure force which helps you produce more stimulus in your more bodybuilding specific training. If strenght is the main pursuit, having dedicated hypertrophy work helps you build bigger muscles giving you the potentiaalia to produce more force in your strenght specific training. Most people are in the gym to better themselves, not to purely build size or a 1RM with the expense of eveything else. This is also why hyperspecific programs like Starting Strenght or your basic pro-bodybuilder workouts are going to lead most people to disapointment.

[@GuillaumeLeValiant]

Thanks for making this video. It will definitely be useful for new lifters, as well as those who got "lost" during the process or been lied to by most fake natties influencers. This is only the beginning of something great!

[@carltone331]

To me, it's all about training. We all have a lifetime to train . We do it because it makes us feel good. We might focus on strength, hypertrophy, endurance, speed , and flexibility, whatever floats the boat at the time . Our bodies and minds will benefit all the same .

[@ramonmassoni9657]

Amen to that brother

[@giodawg45]

Natural Hypertrophy and GVS are great channels for lifters looking to start or if you seek more knowledge

[@GVS]

Really looking forwatd to seeing the results of this grand experiment!!!

[@Goblin_deez.]

The thing I love most about you is your willingness to grow, change your views and call out where you’ve been wrong about things. It’s a mindset not many have and shows true humility.

[@cartilo2619]

So happy to see one of the goats try out bodybuilding!

[@theironforce3000]

Glad ya finally came around and started embracing this training style. You already have a strong foundation with the strongman / powerlifting realm. However as you mentioned in the end, the hypertrophy, volume, bodybuilding style will be more benefit for an individual as they get older, than an all around powerlifting style method. There are rare individuals in their '70s and '80s who can still DL / Squat . But that's not gen pop.

[@scottpope6210]

I take a little bit from oly lifting, powerlifting and bodybuilding, mash it all together and do what I call 'performance' lifting, great way to get variety

[@sonicwave32]

The takeaway I'm getting from the bodybuilding content is that it's essentially similar to other types of training like powerlifting, but not heavily biasing certain competition movements, techniques and rep ranges, which is definitely something I'm on board with. Also, super happy to see you put out content detailing your experiences with training and fitting it into daily life, which is still rare in the fitness community as a whole.

[@CaptChilly]

It can be, but not necessarily! The beauty of bodybuilding is that it has one training goal: hypertrophy. Since there's a bajillion ways to achieve hypertrophy, there's no must-do exercises. Some bodybuilders train super high volume, some low volume with high intensity. Some like to lift super heavy and some with lighter weights. Barbells, dumbbells, calisthenics, machines, etc. Many jacked bodybuilders with wildly different training styles. As long as you know the principles of hypertrophy, you can program to achieve them in a bazillion different ways based on what you enjoy/works best for you. Your training can resemble that of a strength athlete, or it can look a little more "stereotypical". It's all about intent. Examples of natural bodybuilders on youtube who train wildly differently are Hersovyac (mentioned in the video) and GVS. In my opinion everyone can find a hypertrophy training style they can enjoy, and even if they train mainly for performance, knowing the principles they can easily tweak their training to be pretty damn good for hypertrophy

[@peppyhydra4544]

It's actually so awesome that you are acknowledging/participating in the natural bodybuilding community Alan. Thank you! And I am glad to hear you are enjoying the training. Natural weight lifting will always be more similiar than different, especially when it comes to exercise selection and such. Pro bodybuilders can afford to only do fluff work and BS exercises because the juice takes care of the rest, but for noble natties, we gotta grind for every result, be it strength, hypertrophy or any other goal. I am looking forward to the results !

[@king-rabbit]

Fun of your videos from the dino times and now you have crossed the stuff that I'm enjoying a lot. Waiting for your next videos. Wish you the best and hello from Ukraine. And always remember....

[@randallruiz3882]

Very inspirational video. Went lock down happened I needed ideas to stay active, I was 49. Went back to my basement, watched your videos for creative ways for equipment then in 2022, moved from bodybuilding routines to strong man routines. And the foundation still the same and the motivation. In other words you have a found a different way of training that you enjoy.

[@brodygreene5918]

I too, have recently made the transition from strength-focused training to bodybuilding, and I am loving it so far!

[@dragonslayer_fitness]

Fair play branching out. No harm in learning new things and it's always made sense to take the best aspects of all activities and combine them anyways. Much the same way as you're promoting cardio. If you enjoy it too then ✌️

[@TheMatt0985]

I'm an old masters powerlifter. Did a comp in May and was planning on doing mainly hypertrophy training for a while. Then a buddy sends me a link to the Untamed Classic PL meet in May. Very clever Mr Thrall... Keeping the gainz all to yourself!

[@christopherduong2657]

I love the respect that natural bodybuilding is regaining. Without the drugs bodybuilding has always been about hard work. All that is needed for growth is the will and a way.

[@Leroy0ne]

To be completely honest, it's not like you lacked muscular and aesthetic physique when you were focusing on strength. But I totally understand and respect your decision to pivot towards bodybuilding.

[@Ivytea]

Lets go Alan! You have been a great role model for me over the past few years - especially as I become a father myself. Someone like you may like the idea of "Powerbuilding" - check out some Jeff Nippard stuff

[@GrumpyBearRawr]

For a lot of us you can only train strength for so long before the risk of injury and long recovery goes up for only minimal gain. I found I was a lot more happier and functional in life once I switched to a more balanced approach. More controlled reps, healthy body weight, and working some cardio in that doesn't suck like cycling, hiking, and paddle boating. Fitness is a journey so one style doesn't fit all, all the time.

[@farstrider79]

What cardio doesn't "suck" in your opinion?

[@GrumpyBearRawr]

@@farstrider79 what I had already mentioned. Cycling, hiking, and paddle boating. I don't do well with hard surface jogging so I found things that worked for me. Main thing is staying active.

[@farstrider79]

@@GrumpyBearRawr 👍. I thought you were saying that those things sucked. Hiking and swimming are my main endurance activities. Haven't run in years now, cycling is fun but bothers a pinched nerve in my neck. Paddle boarding is great when I can get out there.

[@anonymousman4419]

I couldn't agree more. I started bodybuilding because I was too skinny to begin with. However, after I build a baseline of muscle, I will include endurance work to improve my cardiovascular activity

[@zeljko4189]

Next stop, Ruby Classic 2024 in DelRay sports center💪let's go Alan.

[@TheJacali]

Love this! I used bodybuilding and many other modalities to rehab from getting hit by a bobcat when I was 20. I was knocked back, both thighs impacted and feet crushed. I have a ten year plan to bodybuild and build the size of all my tendons & ligaments as well as muscles and overcompensate with my arms lol. Marcus philly said if you want to be a pro crossfitter spend 10 years bodybuilding first! Something I also wanted to add is that I’ve learned a ton of amazing tricep and bicep information from watching Mike O Hearn. I highly suggest going and binging his arm videos as well as his nutrition videos. I’ve learned tons from other people too like Matt wenning, Devon larratt and many more! A tip I have is to lower the weight until you can tolerate not locking the triceps and coming back to your centre of gravity. This makes it way harder and keeps the pressure on the tricep instead of shifting it to the pecs and shoulder. Build from there even if you have to use 5-10lb weights at first. I’ve been using 20(per hand) and I’m about to start using 80lbs(barbell) using the technique I described and my triceps are gonna be massive. That’ll be half my body weight 💪 I literally started with 5lb dumbbells for 6 months, then 10 for 6 months. Now 20lbs for 7 months. Now I’m about to start using 40s and do it for probably almost a year. The strength potential on this movement is pretty extreme. I’ve seen a lot of big people use well North of 150lbs. Sole monsters like mike o Hearn haha I’ve seen use 225-250lbs.

[@agg8355]

Great video. Before I had kids, I was strength training and powerbuilding like a maniac. I was really happy with my overall strength that I put alot of effort in to. Once I had kids, my priorities shifted and it was really hard to rev the engine up again. I tried to get back to where I was pre-kids, but it was really difficult. The training sessions felt forced, boring and I definitely wasn’t getting the most out of them. Once I shifted to more of a natural bodybuilding approach, the motivation and enjoyment came back. Also, great t-shirt, Alan.

[@DPK365]

I think this is great for you....I did a bodybuilding focus most of my lifting life, from high school into my late 20's. I never considered myself a powerlifter, thought I had decent strength. all the points you made here are valid. I got back into being healthier and working out this year after a long hiatus.....my main goals are now to slim down, which i have lost 25-30 lbs this year. Best of luck and I look forward for more update videos!

[@bigdawg7000]

I did the same about the same time as you, oddly enough. Absolutely loving it so far. Kicking my ass so much more compared to power lifting.

[@muffidge]

Hi Alan, I have just watched this video and am really looking forward to following your new journey. I have been following you for a while now, from when you were with Starting Strength. I myself have been following that program (but since moving to Spain to live, my training is on the back burner) I had coaching from Carl Raghaven in the UK and for my age (67) the ethos of Starting Strength suits me. As you say, we need our armour in our old age! 😊 Thank you Alan for all your efforts you put into this channel.

[@bastipear2864]

"Muscle is good" amen brother

[@m00nkiid]

Amazing to see, I really hope this can help change some perspectives on what true natrual bodybuilding is. I really hope you mention the ethos around bronze and silver era lifting in the next video. People should start to realise that there was a time when people just lifted and weren't pigeonholed into seperate and distinct groups like powerlifting vs bodybuilding. Bronze and silver era lifters were basically strongman + powerlifter + olylifter + calisthenicsbro + bodybuilder, the disciplines all beautifully intertwined in many peoples programmes. Bodybuilding isn't just 15-20reps on machines, there is so much more to it and in its true form, is still a pursuit of strength.

[@thorhammersen5048]

You make a really good point with this video. Much like Mixed Martial Arts, there is so much more to gain by being open to using whatever you can that helps you rather than dismissing other disciplines and missing out on so many potential benefits.

[@rbarreira2]

Great video. I wonder when people started ignoring that strength = muscle + neural adaptations? Greg Nuckols has nice articles about that - if you want maximum strength, you also want maximum muscle, no way around it. Note: there's also the leverages / genetic component to strength, but you can't change this, so it isn't worth focusing much on.

[@rocksolidhope]

You've come a long way from your Starting Strength days Alan. All I can say is... I'm proud... real proud. Lol But in all seriousness, this is a great video that will help many people have a more balanced perspective on training.

[@Kslater23]

Alan, haven't checked in a few months so this is a surprise. Stoked to see this journey with you.

[@Thanos23]

Good luck and have fun on your journey! I'll keep watching anything you put out there! 🎉❤

[@fatcats7727]

Renaissance Periodization (Wealth of training Knowledge) Alex Ledonias, Natural Hypertrophy, Basement Bodybuilding, Alexander Bromley, Geoffery Verity Schoffield, are just some of the high quality information sources here on YT. They may not all have the best physiques, but what they say makes SENSE.

[@slee2695]

RP and Bromley aren't natty..but still give good advice

[@savingyoutime4755]

You've given the green light to a lot lifters who have been wanting the same thing for a log time but because of the aforementioned stigma have been reluctant to go for it. Bravo❤

[@josedelacruz1270]

Yes sir! Great vid man. Bodybuilding is the perfect compliment to strength! It’s all in the accessories babyyyyy

[@mmmata]

man, thanks for the sermon Alan, you always hit me square on the head. I workout for health and prep for getting old vs. vanity and glitter speeds with turtle bellies..

[@sagnikd]

Hey Alan, I'm following you since you made the ATG squat video. It's always to go for hypertrophy (in off season) Ed Coen style. So, kudos to you. Also, you can get a collab with Renaissance Periodization , as I think you can gel well with Dr. Mike.

[@longlostkryptonian5797]

It was a great switch for me back when I hit 45+. Sure I don’t hit those high numbers anymore but I feel great. Joints have healed up too. Welcome to the club!

[@mattcave9159]

Doing exactly the same this year - taking time out from my main sport, sprinting, and focusing on a dedicated phase of bodybuilding in the sense in which you describe. I’m a few years older than you, and agree it’s been a great experience so far.

[@whisper8742]

I've never heard of the three channels you just mentioned... Thanks, man.

[@TJDelaney420]

for me personally i've always looked at bodybuilding from a discipline and educational view. While it can be filled with a lot of narcism and quite a vain sport on the surface deeper down it truly is an art. Your programming, your exercise selection, your diet, and then the general discipline it takes to commit to the long process that is natural bodybuilding are your tools in a way, and with those tools you can create an aesthetic physique which is your art work you could say, and that's not to mention the stage/show side of bodybuilding which when done correctly posing is almost like a form of dance with the routines you come up with to display your art (physique). But not only that from a scientific stand point it's about educating yourself on the complex system that is your body and then applying your knowledge in real life to bring about the desired results you set out to achieve, so in that aspect it's almost like a self experiment, which is why i think the science based bodybuilding community is growing. So the mental discipline, the education and practice of that education, and the delayed gratification of committing to the process and having a developed physique to show for your work are all things that attracted me to the act of natural bodybuilding.

[@coachjon03]

Great video, young man!

[@stelliumeleven2889]

Right there with you man! I'm enjoying the short rest periods and shorter workouts so that I can have more time for other things. I still love training, and it feels good to know that this will keep me on the right track when I decide to go back to powerlifting.

[@davidburnham5098]

Dude it’s the natural progression I believe we have to change it up or we get stagnant your already looking better keep it up fun to watch.

[@ImTheBlade65]

I’m delighted that you are opening people’s minds about the relationship the two disciplines have with one another. Back in the day, we were called “weight lifters” today, NO! Your a “PowerLifter” or a “Bodybuilder” or a “CrossFit’r” etc.,

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

For me it is about overall health, strength and look great. Face it, most of us don't want to look like the Michelin man nor be obese. I started lifting to overcome my health challenges. Now to lean out and build overall good physique.

[@sambutler9927]

25% body fat percentage is associated with the lowest rate of all-cause mortality, and that would be considered "obese." Please don't pretend you want to be skinny for "health," you want to do it for vanity.

[@tasos1112]

everybody wants to be jacked

[@ddpwe5269]

Great video Alan! I was like you in how I thought about bodybuilding at first. Another great natural YTr to watch is Alex Leonidas. The gains he's been showing in the past few years are amazing and still keeps growing!

[@nickalejandro5869]

You love lifting weights be enthralled! Best of luck to you on your new adventure ✌️

[@nealesmith1873]

Great video! You might want to see Dan John videos. He is about 65 and has a lot to say about training into the 50s and beyond.

[@alvinotafoya8163]

You're right, Alan. You can make progress into your 50's. I'm 55 and still gaining muscle. I've also taken the "milking your gains" approach and pleased with the results.

[@psychopathmedia]

Losing the mane was an easy 30lb weight cut, but the style would be worth going up a weight class IMO

[@jocaingles8464]

I'm down to see this journey. natty bb is growing lately🍃

[@derekmoore1387]

I think you’re doing the right thing for yourself. Variety is the spice of life, and if you just have the same bland palette, you get appetite fatigue. I personally am still sticking with Wendler’s 5-3-1 boring but big routine, as I have a lot of ground to cover (still waiting to hit 225 bench… so close!). I have tried to be consistent for at least a year with this particular routine, and it is paying off. I have changed routines in my training lifestyle, and once in a while, that variation is what helps prevent burnout. In reading personal training manuals, when I got in deeper, the main difference to me was weight percentage, set and rep ranges, and rest intervals. Between Hypertrophy and Strength, as I recall, had some overlap like a Venn diagram. It makes sense to me to train more specifically in your case, as it is an exploration and detour from the same worn path. As the saying goes, you have to have mass to move mass. You’ve always been inspirational and kept it real, and I appreciate you doing what is right for you and not adhering to any dogma. I think your audience appreciates your pragmatism and willingness to venture into other areas of physical fitness.

[@Addictive_me]

I'm on the same program, been running it for the longest time. It's wild seeing the shift in the past few years to bodybuilding over programs like 531. I'm gonna keep going with 531 for now as I'm still slowly making gains in my lifts, but with even Alan trying out bodybuilding now I'm wondering if it's time to give it a try

[@themaxtaylorlifts]

i’m excited for your gains

[@heftygainz]

Hell yeah Alan! Do what makes you happy, we'll love the content im sure.

[@yesbrazil]

Good for you, dude!

[@richardcollins2622]

Great perspective on how your mindset has changed over time. That’s growth, Alan. Appreciate you sharing.

[@donwod6660]

Great to hear Alan, I am a life long Natty... now 47yrs old. I competed from 28-36 yrs old it was awesome. Now I am a CrossFit owner and coach. Bodybuilding helped me be a better CrossFitter and better coach!! I carry more muscle then most 47yr olds and I owe it to a life time of building real muscle. Keep it up!!!

[@Yupppi]

I was already quite deeply aware of hypertrophy training and how relevant it is to any strength athlete and other athletes just as well. If you want a nice taste of bodybuilding, a japanese weightlifter Toshiki Yamamoto (also known as squat senpai) recently competed in bodybuilding because he couldn't prep for weightlifting after leg surgery. The guy who squatted 220 kg x 20 reps and whose back squat is 330 kg. Not a weak guy. Even before bodybuilding prep his physique was jaw dropping for a natural athlete.

[@victorw2474]

100% not natural

[@LBJedi]

Really interesting and cool to hear your thought process/reasoning. Thanks Alan!

[@deF4vlt]

This is cool, man. Glad other people are looking BB with different eyes. Nice video!

[@the.natural.guy.]

I have the highest respect for you to be able to swallow that humble pie and asked someone like Natural Hypertrophy for help. Its so incredible, dude. Massive props!

[@vicapple6663]

I always say natural bodybuilding done right is the healthiest sport. You're working towards your body's natural maximum capacity for muscle, you're keeping your body fat in a healthy range, you're working all of your joints in the pursuit of muscular symmetry, and you're doing cardio

[@Bmxae]

Right there with you Alan. I compete in strongman and I'm taking many months of hypertrophy focused training because I know that's the best thing for me to do to get better at strongman

[@marcmcphee]

Looking great!!! 💪🏋️‍♀️

[@martintodorov2312]

I agree with the "you can make gains well into your 50s" if you don't know if 3dmj check them out Alan and especially Jeff Alberts he's in his 50s and still making gains and competing

[@eliteviktor3]

Really cool to see the thought process behind this. Great video.

[@IntoTheOutside000]

Very mature of you to have opened your mind.

[@basssince6th114]

Love seeing and watching the journey of this great lifter

[@morbidlyxobsessed]

I am very excited to follow you on this journey :) I learned squatting and deadlifting with your tutorials in 2018, usually I don’t really comment but have been following you ever since! It’s very exciting to watch you pursue something different :)

[@Mikaeel84]

I've never done powerlifting or weightlifting or strongman lifting but I have been bodybuilding for years now and one of the first channels I found was yours. Even though it wasn't a bodybuilding channel you had the best RDL tutorial I had seen so far so I subbed and since then have seen multiple good videos from you. Good luck on your bodybuilding endeavors and just remember, TRAIN UNTAMEEEEEED!!!

[@JackgarPrime]

Ideally I like the idea of going back and forth between bodybuilding and strength training. Get all that size during a bodybuilding phase, and then turn that mass into power. Powerbuilding style is a good general way to do it, but going back and forth between dedicated phases also is very appealing. It'll also keep you from getting bored, because you're changing things up pretty often!

[@sxztube]

I’m using the program NH made for you with a few tweaks here and there! One thing I added was one of his “S Tier” ab exercises during the middle of each of the 5 workouts. Arms looking diesel, Alan!

[@anti_hero_660]

Like a lot of guys I’m not really into lifting specifically for a “type” of lifting like BB,PL or SM I enjoy the way lifting makes me feel, once you finish a workout It can make the day feel a lot more accomplished, I like the way clothes fit and knowing I’m more capable in society. Plus as a martial arts guy I find that being overly specific with certain lifts isn’t always going to help you but having more body weight and generic strength will.

[@matts2436]

the last few months ive been doing a more bodybuilding routine due to some injuries regarding the big 3. still enjoying it a lot

[@springpistonriflefeverlone9611]

Agree, heavy high rep squats, deadlifts, pull ups, dips, bench press and military press will pack muscle and strength on you.

[@warrenruppart8567]

Great thoughts. Looking forward to the next video.

[@BrandonMichealBlais]

You guys know what time it is. Time to talk about current events in the online fitness community, so let me go ahead and put on my +5 hat of weapon smithing, work at skilling up my crafting a little bit and let’s talk about this…😁…interested to hear more about your routine, good luck man, I’m sure you’ll crush it!