YouTube Fitness

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- Timestamps -
00:00 - Is Fitness Dead?
00:57 - 2007 The Start
02:05 - 2009 Vlogging
02:14 - 2010 Growth
02:29 - 2011 Matt Ogus
02:57 - Collabs Begin
03:45 - 2012 Bigger Names
04:33 - 2013 Fitness EXPLODES
07:38 - 2014 Powerlifting Explodes
10:23 - 2018 Things Change
12:04 - 2020 The Freaks
12:41 - 2021
15:13 - Gen Z Enters
16:20 - CONCLUSION
17:32 - End of a Generation
18:04 - View Inflation
20:17 - Quick Summary

[@maxxchewning]

I wanna go back to 2013

[@Just_Creepin]

Niiiick Wriiighhttttt

[@antiteroristickejedinicepo4830]

beautiful year, beautiful summer and the best music.

[@AzAkh60]

2012 was better

[@SuperPhunThyme100]

Back to sixpackshortcuts? Yikes.

[@Reppintimefitness]

Facts 🔥 💯

[@Disneymagic24]

its crazy how it has evolved from actual fitness to just lifestyle now with some fitness sprinkled in it

[@Reppintimefitness]

Facts its Reality tv

[@TuneTuber]

….. your comment shows that you have no idea of balancing life. How many hours of a day is even a professional Body Builder working out? Exactly.

[@smokeymcpot69]

​@@TuneTuberwho is your comment directed to 😂 ??

[@TuneTuber]

@@smokeymcpot69 Disney_magic…. That’s how add reply works unless it’s to a replier within.

[@basicmeme1040]

Also roids

[@TDace25]

Man this was a fun video, the golden era of youtube fitness was really something special

[@mattrobinsonstrengthandfit642]

Elliot hulse definitely deserved mentioning. He's a real og

[@James-Lifts]

100%

[@michaelderenne9838]

Nah he turned into a crazy Trumper

[@James-Lifts]

@@michaelderenne9838 I’m a trump guy a lot of people who workout are because they aren’t sheep 🐑

[@arebee9024]

what are your pronouns?@@michaelderenne9838

[@SgtCrypto]

Facts

[@brandondacruz3639]

Man this was a great recap of the last decade plus of KZbin fitness. Brought me back to college when I first came across your channel and many others. Well done, Nick 👏🏻

[@OSAMATHAGREAT]

No mark bell, no kali muscle, no big boy/strength cartel, Mike Rasheed, panda, Brad, so many important people left out.

[@lilrapstarr]

Didn’t see athlean x either.

[@baseket2ball12]

The one I was expecting him to mention was Elliot hulse

[@lukeseropian]

14:00 - 15:12 Man I’ve followed you since 2012 whenever I was in 9th grade and just started working out. I followed you, the hodge twins, Chris jones and Matt ogus. That minute of you talking about how things have changed for us and that it’s okay really made me feel better about myself for whatever reason. I’m not 15 anymore, I’m 26. Still young, but so many things are obviously a lot different. But change is not only necessary; it’s also good for us. Sometimes we need that friendly reminder. I appreciate you man. Thanks for all the videos you’ve put out over the years.

[@strengthandbulkMadness]

You forgot your boy, Ian McCarthy.

[@amerabdulkarim5544]

LUIMARCO was also one of the OG’s in the KZbin fitness industry.

[@DAwarriorfan16]

2011-2016 peak fitness youtube

[@antiteroristickejedinicepo4830]

Rich Piana time...good years, Rich motivated me more than all these fitness influencers together.

[@FitLabb]

One fitness trend that got a big foothold in 2022 & has been growing quickly ever since is the “Noble Natty” movement, which is a group of us relatively younger channels that focus on quality fitness info content while also helping people realize they don’t need to be on any PEDs or supplements to achieve some pretty awesome results in the gym. Definitely something that’s a very positive counter we’ve needed to combat all the fitness scammers out there on the platform. Really enjoyed this video as it brought back lots of good memories from the evolving years of the fitness industry on KZbin. I remember back when your channel was still small & started growing quickly. Crazy how fast time flies…..

[@A19csd]

This took me back man. I was 13 in 2007. First computer that year and I discovered “KZbin fitness”. I literally went through the entire progression you just outlined. Older now and still killing it.

[@CanadianRifleman]

Nick, you are the OG of OGs. Thank you for coming back and giving this awesome trip down memory lane :)

[@ramonbriones4487]

First time I hear of this guy. I guess the algorithm blessed me today. From this video I really like this guy. I wonder where he would be if he hadn't retired from KZbin.

[@cr144mc6]

@@ramonbriones4487 Even when Nick was peaking he was very open about not doing KZbin forever, and setting up different income streams. I think he could have easily ventured into the financial/investment part of KZbin if he wanted to. Pretty sure he was buying rental properties back in 2014 when no one his age was doing it

[@dayligs]

OG of the OG would be Scooby

[@Turnpost2552]

Friggen definatly

[@scottstevensonfilms]

Man...I feel old. KZbin has changed so much. I just worked with Scott Herman last month on a TV show and it was super cool to talk to him about the golden era of YT fitness. I remember meeting a-lot of you guys at the LA fit expos 2011-2014. CG and Max chewning were so awkward on camera back then. Now you guys have grown so much. Super cool to see this recap. Great Job Nick!

[@steffonwhitaker295]

I remember 2013. Great times. I’m gonna be 36 in a few months. It’s crazy how fitness was the driving force of my life. I never thought it would shift mentally but I’m good with it.

[@joselostx]

Great times man … I’m with you

[@joselostx]

Watching this brought back so many good memories bro … I’m 36 and got into fitness in 2012 … the golden era of you tube fitness IMO . Boy what a time … loved watching your reviews on supplements and other things . I am now back on the journey to finish what I started and watching this gave me some more motivation.. those were good times … good times 😔

[@btwskate1]

2013-2014 was some of my happiest times in the gym

[@JIMMY_HOUSE]

As a long time subscriber it’s been crazy to see your journey through the evolution of the fitness industry all these videos bring back extreme nostalgia. I’ve always wanted to get a training session with you man! Thanks for still posting !

[@claytonhertz251]

Nick, this was the best thing I’ve watched on KZbin in a wile. Watched end to end, that was spot on. Would love to see more like this!!

[@BasementBrandon]

Can't forget Lui Marco, Big J, Michael Kory, or Omar Isuf.

[@NickWright]

There are MANY I wasn't able to cover from them to Matty Fusaro, Chelsea Lifts, Kara Corey, Mark Fit, Olympus Iron, you all the way over to Shawley, Furious Pete, Mike Rashid, Kali Muscle etc. etc. Sadly, it is impossible to fit everyone into a 20 minute video so I tried to focus more on over all periods and themes. But every single name mentioned (and not mentioned) was a pillar of the industry!

[@robjarcandiiii]

@@NickWright Love you both. Always keepin up with my people.

[@livingdeadfitness1528]

I miss the 2009-2016 era (ish) of fitness. Feel like a lot of people either moved on, got married, disapeared, or died etc.

[@michaelkern2675]

Dude, I’d come home from working at GNC at college and binge watch you, Ogus and Omar Isuf. Good times

[@MeshTheSnake]

Amazing recap, this was so much fun to watch! 🔥

[@pedroj9749]

It's so cool looking back on OG KZbin Fitness. Fun times watching your channel, Barthel Fitness, posting on the Misc. It can't be topped!

[@guitarslashvocals]

mannn TMW, you, jones vs ogus (G4P). that 2012 era of youtube fitness was unmatched

[@TheTobynorth]

A great vid and quite sad in many ways. I can imagine this is how middle aged people feel looking back on their earlier life. I loved the early days when fitness content was about watching Guzman, Nick, Chris Jones actually lifting, living the fitness lifestyle and making progress. I always felt it kept you accountable and focused. Nowadays we all have other priorities and the content (even from a lot of the same guys) has got much more influencer/lifestyle focused and looking back it all just makes you feel a certain kind of way...

[@joedayton7239]

Good stuff! Nick is considerably younger than me, but I have always enjoyed his candid talks. I enjoy his vulnerability and how humble he is throughout. Never seemed to take much for granted. His success was, is hard earned. Cheers

[@FabriceTheArtist]

Such nostalgia! Great video essay deep dive dude!

[@zeetotal]

Such a walk down memory lane. Good stuff.

[@Chips0205]

Your 2021 section hit hard. Good video

[@WheresTheAnyKey1]

fantastic overview. I got busy with other things and stopped following youtube fitness stuff ~2014/15, but I am glad of all the things I learned and was exposed to from the OGs. Never got into instagram/tiktok or whatever else there was (vine?), been all youtube (facebook sprinkled in) for me as far as social media goes so maybe that's another reason why fitness influencing (this term itself was a thing that came about after 14?) was easy to forget. Grateful to come across the healthier lifestyle brought about by all ya'll youtubers.

[@jaronalexander7830]

I didn’t know I needed this, but thank you!

[@S11G92]

Never forget finding your video of you going through the dunkin drive through, thats what got me into lifting

[@strive6265]

This shit brought back so much nostalgia. Now I know I’m an old head 😅

[@AnabolicAliens]

Loved this video man 🔥🔥🔥

[@markuscwatson]

Great to see Nick back at it a bit!

[@jurassicpump3982]

What a time travel 🎉 loved every second of it and well worded mate

[@johntorri9172]

This was an awesome take on the past decade of fitness content! I also really agree with your "inflation" follower/view count theory! Pretty mind blowing!

[@codybrown9401]

I was just watching some old Ogus videos the other day. I miss all the old vlogs he and you did.

[@jayinthelongrun7453]

Steve cook, Furious Pete, Simeon Panda, Tavi, Bart Kwan, Ulysses, Lazar Angelov, Zyzz, Rob Riches, Jeff Seid. Some of the guys who also flooded my pages back in the day.

[@551223]

Core memory activated

[@mrsugar2352]

I remember watching you and your girlfriend 10 years ago when I was 16, travel around and have a blast. Now I see my 16 year old cousin watch Alex Eubank and his girlfriend. My pal who owned the gym I was a member of for 10 years took his own life 3 weeks ago and to say it’s threw a spanner in the works is an understatement. I’m glad to see you are still doing well sir, thanks for everything along the way.

[@michaudcollette6167]

I feel like I grew up at a perfect time, I was 14-15 when I stared watching Scott Herman and Scooby and man did those guys do wonders, and then you can in the scene and I was so addicted to the vlogs, and I remember I would wait until my big post workout meal to watch your eating big vids so I could eat with you 😂 so happy to see your back!

[@Khandomain]

Me too bro. I remember being 14 or 15 watching Chris Jones, CT fletcher, Elliot Halse. I miss those days. I'm almost 24 now those guys really changed my life fr.

[@Egoliftdaily]

Trip down memory lane. Great vid, Nick.

[@chelsealifts]

AYYY what a trip down memory lane lol - you really nailed the different eras! It's a different game now with shorts, and so bizarre that everyone's trying to be an influencer...all while I was coming to the realization that I really didn't want to be a big influencer. Helping the up and coming guys that I think have better training methods for longevity has been incredibly fulfilling though!

[@ragnarlothbrok938]

Woah! I thought something happened to ya! 😅 i first watched ya when you were at the "KZbin house" with Craig Richey. I watched Craig when he said like..... 50 subscribers and now thst dude blew up! You were one of my favorites and than one day your videos were gone. Hope you're doing well!! 💙

[@jcsfive5670]

Kevin Lisak and Matt Ogus got me into bodybuilding after playing every sport from 5 years old to 20. Matt broke down dieting in its simplest form. I used it for my show prep. Became friends with Kevin throughout the process. Competed with him at the Arnold 2013 (and met you, ogus, barthel, and Nauss there) and are still friends and talk to each other regularly now 10 years later. We’ve evolved and changed throughout the years and that’s a beautiful thing. KZbin fitness was a game changer for me in my late teens to early 20s.

[@sercan272727]

Man i remember this whole thing. We are getting old:) sadly few names mentioned passed away :(

[@JoeyJettisonATS]

Hey Nick, love the recap was cool to go down nostalgia lane. I basically grew up with all you guys (28 now). My question to you is if you were to start brand new fresh today in the fitness industry where would you start?

[@YouTubeJunkie2023]

Great chronological video! Nice to see someone I followed for a long time resurface.

[@priceless2353]

You popped up on my recommended for the first time in years glad I caught this one, so accurate

[@johnnycoax]

Great video. I think there's also an up and coming wave of natural lifters in their 30s that put out fantastic content. Natural hypertrophy, bald Omni man, basement body building, Steve Shaw (not in his 30s but an og of KZbin and still makes great content), Alan thrall, etc. One channel that i think REALLY exploded strength training was strength camp. I think Elliot was probably the biggest fitness related channel at one point.

[@FitLabb]

There you go, that’s a great short list of some of us proud “Noble Natty’s”, and what an awesome group of guys it is! Every single one in that new community brings something valuable to the table and it’s been great to see this side of fitness getting a lot more traction in the past year or so. PS: You also have to add my boy Geoffrey Schofield to that list, as he, Natural Hypertrophy, & a few others have been leading the charge and paving the way for the rest of us to rise and help more people. 💪

[@johnnycoax]

@@FitLabb damn i forgot about geoffrey! hes got a great channel too

[@javierlopxz]

thanks for this video nick, it was a great recap, brought me back

[@Eddieanthony888]

Really enjoyed this video nick, brought me back to the good old days but very much relevant. 💪🏼

[@manuelcossyleon4723]

Omg this brought back memories. I started training in 2006 and you we’re definitely one of the KZbin OG’s in fitness. Before any of that was Zhasni motivational videos. Man those were the days.

[@abelflexes2]

I wonder what happened to zhasni motivation? He was the first to take bodybuilding Motivation videos to a whole other level.

[@zackkeswick6370]

Rob lipsett and Christian Guzman spoke about this video on robs podcast recently. Had to come back and watch. Really cool that OGs are still keeping up on each other

[@stevejc94]

Scondore, Barthel, Berg, chad Taylor, Kenny g, campbellfitness, the ultimate throwbacks. You guys really got me into all this stuff. Really liked the video brotha, thanks for this.

[@BusinessAndFitness]

This was a great video. I’ll never forget finding your videos back in the day. Made a big impact on how I viewed fitness.

[@justinkotrba2197]

Very accurate video of the history of KZbin fitness. Was fun going down memory lane with Scooby, POG and LOA.

[@LiftnGame]

This was a great vid! I loved the 2014 era that got me into powerlifting training it was so fun!

[@jaredjamesfit]

This is so nostalgic! I remember all of this!! I’ve been really enjoying the content you’ve been putting out ever since your break! Keep making more 🔥🔥

[@atp_powerlifting560]

Thanks for this crazy throwback ❤

[@ramonbriones4487]

The algorithm got it right this time. First time viewer. Never even heard of u and it's wut u touched base on with the platform being so large. This was just lovely man! Ive been into fitness since around 2003ish BUT i was poor and didnt have actual internet access till around 2015ish and didnt really find out about KZbin until around 2016. Many of those influencers u talked about i had no idea existed until about 2018 and ur right i see a ton of these little kid channels with massive followings but i have no interest in like the ones u mentioned. The channels with the big names like greg dont even talk about fitness anymore and are more like a tmz type of channel looking for clicks to sell their merch and products COOKBOOK 🥴 i think john meadows was the last actual fitness channel i enjoyed and continue to go back to for fitness content and advice. RIP. Anywho thank u for this video. Truly enjoyed it Edit: u got a sub outa me :)

[@DoctorMotorcycle]

Every Channel has a shelf life, and even if the creator has above average engagement/view ratio's, getting to that level requires dedicated, consistent high quality content being posted which is very, very draining. Being a KZbin creator is also notoriously terrible for your mental health, and add to that the fact that being an "influencer" is generally looked down upon, it's surprising anyone makes a living doing it. The astute creators realize this, and rather than put all their chips in the KZbin bag, they have a business back-end that turns into the main source of income....then KZbin can just be uploading whatever you want again, which is why a lot of us started this in the first place. Cheers Nick.

[@NickWright]

Beautifully said!

[@JulioDx3480]

This is an amazing explanation... Thanks Nick!

[@AnthonyCuocco]

This video took me down memory lane. ALL THE FEELS!

[@iansizemore]

great video nick. keep them coming

[@peteespeseth]

Being a young teen and getting into lifting right as all the OG KZbin fitness channels started coming out, loved this little blast from the past. Between this and Pete Rubish on the Powercast talking about some of the guys from back then too its just like ahhhh lol love it

[@rayreyes2490]

Excellent analysis of KZbin fitness!!👍

[@Fitnessdealnews]

Awesome video Nick. So good to see u again

[@toxicab23]

This takes me back. My favorites: Candito, Omar, Bart Kwan, Nick Wright, Maxx.

[@Jake-jv2pu]

Man that BarthelFitness arnold 2011 video was how I found you man! Good times

[@artsim5977]

I wish you never gave up youtube. You are the most eloquent speaker amongst all fitness youtubers

[@austinporter8094]

this is so well thought out. I absolutely agree 🤙🤙.

[@andrewgenic9224]

Good analysis there Nick👍

[@bcoh8741]

Man does this take me back.

[@SkylerKingTW]

I shifted my focus away when it all started to feel like over polished advertisements for supplements, apparel, online coaching, etc. Now that there are some new channels doing old school gym-focused videos, are seemingly completely transparent, are not trying to sell anything, etc, I find myself slowly getting interested again.

[@freshprince512]

Dope recap.

[@eduardotrejo6331]

My favorite time was for sure 2013-2017. I was a college student and all I did was studying and hittin the gym. My favorite channels were: physiquesofgreatness(chris jones), matt ogus, strenght wars, luimarco, broscience life, just to name a few. Also remember watching Calum Von Moger getting mainstream, and Bradley Martyn getting popular too. Definitely the 2010's or the millenials decade of fitness influencers was the GOAT.

[@finalboss7956]

Deary me on a daily 😂 Luimarco

[@SunsetMediaBE]

Still miss your content man! In my 30s too, but recently became single, so gym focus is back on!! Lets gooo!!

[@Dozygames]

nick is really the og of the fitness youtube community

[@TonyMandeville]

You paved the way bro the real og of youtube fitness.

[@didierbien-aime1629]

great video! nice trip down memory lane!

[@jasonb7265]

Damn this was a trip down memory lane!!

[@Mr_SamuelAdam]

Remember when it started. So much has changed. :( Started back in 2010. Crazy times. Glad I was there for it

[@Honkojack27]

Great video nick. KZbin fitness avengers is still a classic corner stone in KZbin fitness.

[@user-fk7tk1xu9r]

I was a teen when my uncle got me into fitness so I started working out a bit younger than my peers. I’m only 24 but shit this made me feel old af realizing I started watching since the very beginning of the KZbin fitness industry. The tren twins are carrying hard rn imo

[@RothermelStrength]

Great throwback video. Definitely needed to mention Elliot Hulse. Most popular fitness KZbinr for a solid minute back in the day.

[@vinnieluciano5602]

SALUTE! I fuck with you heavy my G....since day one. All day everyday. You are always ONPOINT with your shit and straight up no bullshit. Just FACTS. you're the reason I bought my Gangsta Wraps and Gangsta knee sleeves and my Inzer Belt . and until this day I STILL use them. Thanks for being you homie. Keep up the greatness. #GYM GANG

[@dominicsavittieri523]

Damn I literally had a trip down memory lane. I feel old😅appreciate you Nick

[@Markb51291]

I love how straight to the point he is

[@liquidgrooves1]

Good video, I agree. I'm 42, been following you since 2010. Interesting how perspectives and priorities change as we get older.

[@deadringer-cultofdeathratt8813]

i haven't heard the names "Chris Jones" or "Mike Chang (insert image of a towel) in what feels like forever.

[@jsteve91666]

Awesome video Nick.

[@CT-Training]

We had Elliot Hulse too back in 2011. I’ve been following you since 2012 definitely helped with my novice lifting days.

[@fundude4566]

First video series i ever watch was the eating big series loved that series to this day.

[@brittanyykitty]

Loved this 👏🏻

[@krims0n70]

I'd like to add something here that you kind of touched on. Some of these KZbinrs have also passed away that we grew up watching. Bostin and Rich Piana being the ones you talked about in this video. But as well as Jerry Ward and Zyzz, to name a few on top of my head. Jerry brought that guru type vibe to his videos. Albeit, some of his videos were controversial. But that what was Jerry was all about. And Zyzz, brought that aesthetic look to the mainstream. I've been on KZbin since the beginning and Fitness was the first Genre I truly got into. So I got to see what it has turned into throughout the years. And this video has summed it up perfectly.

[@arkdude8484]

yup

[@iMOptimalBio]

So many have died...

[@danglsnipe23]

Great video. I feel ancient / in my feels

[@gusmota165]

PERFECT TIME LINE ON THE FITNESS TABLE

[@iHipHopVEVO]

Greg Plitt never gets mentioned! R.I.P

[@MrTylerlc]

wow, Nick. Great explanation!!!!!!