Alternative bodybuilding methods

[oldtimer1]

Any of you guys  train with alternative machines like the Bowflex or Soloflex rubber band machines?

 Back in the day I used pure Nautilus machine circuits. Did the standard protocol of the largest muscles to the smallest with one set to failure for 12 machines. It could work but what was needed was an exercise addition on your feet and not sitting in a machine. Something like deadlifts, power cleans or clean and press.

Maybe the ultimate in alternative bodybuilding is body weight exercises. I have seen some really in shape athletes who use nothing but body weight. It's not an easy method as some muscle heads would lead you to believe. Never Gymless is a great book on the topic and there are boards devoted to it too.

[Humble Narcissist]

I remember the infomercials for both Soloflex and Bowflex.

[The RedMeatKid]

Stick with free weights and focus on the big lifts: bench, squat, deadlift

[Al Doggity]

Maybe the ultimate in alternative bodybuilding is body weight exercises. I have seen some really in shape athletes who use nothing but body weight. It's not an easy method as some muscle heads would lead you to believe. Never Gymless is a great book on the topic and there are boards devoted to it too.

I don't think meatheads think bodyweight work is easier, I think that most think you can't get huge gains with it.  The majority of guys who throw around "big weight" at 25% bodyfat while taking 5 minute rests between sets couldn't do 10 full chin ups. Maybe you can say the reverse is true, too. But  bodyweight-centric routines are great workouts.

[Humble Narcissist]

I don't think meatheads think bodyweight work is easier, I think that most think you can't get huge gains with it.  The majority of guys who throw around "big weight" at 25% bodyfat while taking 5 minute rests between sets couldn't do 10 full chin ups. Maybe you can say the reverse is true, too. But  bodyweight-centric routines are great workouts.

Yes, bodyweight work is humiliating for big men.

[oldtimer1]

You can turn the most buff steroid user into a pile of beaten sweat with body weight exercises. Maybe not a method for posing in thong but for a real physique, health and athletic transfer it can't be beat.

Still want to hear from rubber band machine user and their thoughts about it. I know someone has to own one. They sell millions of dollars of these things a year. I tried the old version of the bow flex with the rods. Thought the resistance curve was way off. Of course easy in the beginning of the rep and hard at the end. Some would say that's an attribute and not a negative.

[Humble Narcissist]

You can turn the most buff steroid user into a pile of beaten sweat with body weight exercises. Maybe not a method for posing in thong but for a real physique, health and athletic transfer it can't be beat.

Still want to hear from rubber band machine user and their thoughts about it. I know someone has to own one. They sell millions of dollars of these things a year. I tried the old version of the bow flex with the rods. Thought the resistance curve was way off. Of course easy in the beginning of the rep and hard at the end. Some would say that's an attribute and not a negative.

They don't work as well as free weights or most other machines because you aren't getting adequate eccentric contraction.  On the contracting motion the resistance gets harder until you reach the full lockout but on the decent of the movement it gets lighter until there is almost no resistance at the bottom.  Remember that the eccentric movement actually builds more strength and muscle than the concentric.

[funk51]

all beginners should start with body weight exercises. squats. push ups, dips , chin ups etc. once mastering those, move on to weight exercise equivalents . after becoming more advanced mix in a balance of free weight and machine exercises. at that point you should know what you want to pursue, bodybuilding, powerlifting, weightlifting, general fitness.

[funk51]

all beginners should start with body weight exercises. squats. push ups, dips , chin ups etc. once mastering those, move on to weight exercise equivalents . after becoming more advanced mix in a balance of free weight and machine exercises. at that point you should know what you want to pursue, bodybuilding, powerlifting, weightlifting, general fitness.

                                                and then the final frontier

[el numero uno]

Any of you guys  train with alternative machines like the Bowflex or Soloflex rubber band machines?

 Back in the day I used pure Nautilus machine circuits. Did the standard protocol of the largest muscles to the smallest with one set to failure for 12 machines. It could work but what was needed was an exercise addition on your feet and not sitting in a machine. Something like deadlifts, power cleans or clean and press.

Maybe the ultimate in alternative bodybuilding is body weight exercises. I have seen some really in shape athletes who use nothing but body weight. It's not an easy method as some muscle heads would lead you to believe. Never Gymless is a great book on the topic and there are boards devoted to it too.

[oldtimer1]

all beginners should start with body weight exercises. squats. push ups, dips , chin ups etc. once mastering those, move on to weight exercise equivalents . after becoming more advanced mix in a balance of free weight and machine exercises. at that point you should know what you want to pursue, bodybuilding, powerlifting, weightlifting, general fitness.

I respectfully don't agree that body weight is for beginners. I'm sure a lot of Seals, Airborne, Special Forces and Marines would disagree with you.

[funk51]

I respectfully don't agree that body weight is for beginners. I'm sure a lot of Seals, Airborne, Special Forces and Marines would disagree with you.

          i know where you're coming from i'm just saying it's a good starting point for any beginner before he even steps foot in a gym. military men take body weight exercises to an extreme.

[dan18]

I respectfully don't agree that body weight is for beginners. I'm sure a lot of Seals, Airborne, Special Forces and Marines would disagree with you.

Well when I went through basic at parris island S.C, We did tons of push ups chin ups body weight exercises so yea and I still do even though I train like a BB

[Tbomzisback!]

low calorie high protein diet
high intensity cardio (uphill sprints, running bleachers, playing pick-up basketball games, etc)
push ups and pull ups


your good to go

[tres_taco_combo]

i go on and on about hot yoga - but a huge game changer

you will stop being fat real fast after looking at yourself in the mirror for 90 minutes shirtless around other ppl

i do around 200 push ups in a standard class and countless core movements.

life is so much better 10% or lower and hot yoga helped me achieve a walking around low BF

Combo of weight training and hot yoga

[IRON CROSS]

Yes, bodyweight work is humiliating for big men.

Yes, Mr.Heavyweight champs can't do 10 pull ups ................

[IRON CROSS]

                                                and then the final frontier

 

[IRON CROSS]

I respectfully don't agree that body weight is for beginners. I'm sure a lot of Seals, Airborne, Special Forces and Marines would disagree with you.

Can any of mr.O guys climb 8 m long ropes 

(o , yes with nice & heavy backpack)

[oldtimer1]

i go on and on about hot yoga - but a huge game changer

you will stop being fat real fast after looking at yourself in the mirror for 90 minutes shirtless around other ppl

i do around 200 push ups in a standard class and countless core movements.

life is so much better 10% or lower and hot yoga helped me achieve a walking around low BF

Combo of weight training and hot yoga

You look in great shape. Do you take bodybuilding drugs or are you natural?

[Humble Narcissist]

Yes, Mr.Heavyweight champs can't do 10 pull ups ................

Most probably can't do three.

[Deadpool]

Most probably can't do three.

oh sure, you can bench four or five plates...but can you pick up a pencil off the floor?  Jus' Sayin'

[robcguns]

I used to use a machine like that at my buddies house whenever I went there usually once a week just for a different feeling.

As far as body weight stuff bigger guys can be good at them,I did 100 push-ups at 290ish,did 15-20 pull ups shoulder width 
also around 290 and dips 75 at same weight.Now around 245-250 I don’t do push ups due to shoulder pain but I do dips 75-100 and pull ups once a month due to shoulder for 12-20 over 5 sets.

[Deadpool]

I used to use a machine like that at my buddies house whenever I went there usually once a week just for a different feeling.

As far as body weight stuff bigger guys can be good at them,I did 100 push-ups at 290ish,did 20 pull ups shoulder width for 15 also around 290 and dips 75 at same weight.Now around 245-250 I don’t do push ups due to shoulder pain but I do dips 75-100 and pull ups once a month due to shoulder for 12-20 over 5 sets.

ever try kettlebell swings?  use the hips

[robcguns]

ever try kettlebell swings?  use the hips

No never,why you asking?that help bad shoulders or something?

[IRON CROSS]

ever try kettlebell swings?  use the hips

good exercises