We’ve watched Alan grow on social media for the last 10 years. Life has ebbs & flows. Alan has shared his ebbs & flows with us every step of the way with integrity, honesty and humor. The one constant is always his passion for “lifting.” I still go back to your how to deadlift video from time to time. Keep training untamed Alan and keep evolving🦾
Been training since 1993. I've switched from powerlifting, to pure hypertrophy, to a 2 year obsession with running. Since 2015 or so, I've been back to powerlifting. Now I'm 46 and absolute strength is the only quality that I can actually improve, barely. It sucks, but my speed qualities and ability to build muscle, particularly in the quads, is quite diminished. The one constant: no one gives a shit, but me. My wife, kids, and colleagues could care less about my squat PR or that I can't dunk anymore. I've never missed a family dinner or anything, training is just like brushing my teeth. I just like it more.
This is the reality of letting go. I'm 43 soon and missed my window for some of my failed (and unfulfilled) potential. But my 7 year old doesn't care. Neither does my wife. Only a few disintegrating gym bros. I try to do a few things here and there. I hope that you live long in health sir.
@@samuelsontraining i started late, hit my strength peak in my mid to late 40s (competed) and now in my early 50s I am still pretty strong. There's no way I could run fast, or long, like I did in my 20s and 30s. I know some people do, but I don't see it for me. Also, did BJJ for many years. Gave that up too!
I'm 50 , been training on and off for over 20 years . Tried everything from Doggcrapp to 5/3/1 , I'm 6ft 1 and weigh 200lb . I'm going to focus on training for strength now so I don't end up a weak old sack of shit like 90% of the people my age , but I also find strength more fun to achieve 👍
@@IMFAEmperor I agree that most people make too much excuses, but sooner or later you'll realize you can't constantly redline, and that optimizing everything about your lifestyle just to chase some arbitrary numbers in the gym isn't really sustainable long term. There's no point forcing yourself through an exercise regime that you dread all the time unless you're a professional athlete, which I assume you're not. Consistency and a good balance of life and training is key. I have a friend that started going to the gym just before me and convinced me to go too. He went 7 times a week, meal prepped, bought expensive supplements and stuff. Eventually he burnt out and quit. I wasn't that obsessed and never went more than 3 times a week, never changed anything about my diet apart from eating an extra plate at dinner (never counted calories or macro's), and probably progressed slower than ideal because of it. But that is a good balance for me and allows me to stay consistent.
It's been inspiring seeing you grow wiser ! As a new father I relate a lot to your message. You can still train hard and with passion without letting the whole thing consume your life. We all started lifting to better our lives!
You said it very well: "The gym is your sanctuary" or something like that. I agree 100%. In the end of the day, if you are doing any type of training that your actually enjoy, than you should be feeling great and confident. If you feel overly stressful or even like garbabe at the end of your training session, something is wrong, specially if you are running to bigger numbers just for the sake of it.
The best video out there ...I haven't seen a whole video in youtube for years (especially that long) but this one...oh boy, I've watched every single minute! Every lifter should watch it. It was so revealing for me. Thanks Alan! I am watching you from your very beggining. You taught me the big 3 movements in an easy way. I loved your sense of humor and motivated me even more. Every single word in this video was such an apocalypse for me because I am in your shoes a few years now....a hard working mother/wife, that tries really hard to not collapse and keep doing what she loves....
That’s a great workout mind set. I have found that I really enjoyed the powerlifting and power building movements until my body was getting hurt too often. I try to workout in ways that I find fun and keep me motivated.
Loved the video Alan. As a 43 year old man who has been training consistently for over 25 years, Im starting to deal with declining strength, aches and pains, and other issues. It gets frustrating sometimes but it’s just part of getting older. Thanks for the perspective.
So much I feel this. I don’t want to hate the gym or dread it. So doing things that are fun and enjoyable makes me want to go. Like I always tell people who ask: the best exercise is the one you’ll do. Also, I kept hurting my back on squat, became terrified of the movement, and just realized it doesn’t have to be done. And the world went on. It was amazing. Now I do leg stuff that’s awesome and can protect my back.
If you’re having trouble with going to a session throughout the week just add a few exercises that you love doing and feel great doing to the exercise session. You’ll be pumped for each session because you want to do good during these exercises and will feel good doing them. No anguish and stress. Just breath and enjoy the forms.
Yup this is why I like 531. I'll do my programmed sets for squat/deadlift/press and then I'll just wing it and do 50 reps for push/pull/core/single leg, then some conditioning. It makes my gym sessions much more bearable when I can do whatever.
This! I did starting strength in my youth and totally bought in to the “do the programme” mentality and sometimes, I’d like to have done some curls, but didn’t because of what Rip said… as I got older, I realised I should have added a bit do spice and wouldn’t have hated those workouts as much.
I love the signature train untamed outro. What a throwback. Been watching for years. Anyone that complains about other people changing may need to do some introspective analysis.
Great Insights! Thanks for taking the time to share what you have learned after so many years. I'm 57 and I also need to balance my priorities such as being a husband, father, trainer, manager, etc. So what you said makes so much sense.
Super relatable video! Thank you for your insights, man. I’m not a power lifter but I enjoy deadlifts and have a 525 deadlift at 158 bodyweight. I can barely bench my bw but I can do weighted pull-ups with +135 lbs. I’m just a random rock climber with a wrestling background and the point you made about enjoying the movements makes so much sense. I remember subbing to this channel a few years ago to learn deadlift technique and nowadays, I don’t even lift much anymore but I still watch all these videos just to hear you talk about whatever.
Just you sharing your experiences, mentoring and educating while playing video of you doing different workouts is the perfect format. I mostly have your videos playing the background while I workout instead of music. I pick up different tips each time. The thing that has made a change for me from this video is what you said about "chasing numbers on the bar". I've been doing that for too long and now starting to focus on "adjust intensity at xx reps" and have a new joy of gaming my workout.
Its great to see that his mentality evolved. Too many lifters who came up in the early years of UA-cam fitness (from 2012 on) Got stuck in one mentality and never progressed. He arguably looks better than he did when he was only chasing numbers. excellent progression!
A bit of retired competitor mindset in here. Still loads of good advice. I have been watching this channel since 2014 or 2015. Shit loads of quality content and Alan as a person is such a beautiful human being.
I'm happy for anyone that wisens up and finds what's best for them. But I've been noticing all of the strength guys transitioning. One by one, all of the strength focused channels I followed religiously on UA-cam are moving on to new areas of fitness, which again is totally awesome, but man I don't want it to happen to me. Maybe it's inevitable. Many of these people were competitive powerlifters (or strongmen) though, which I think contributes to the fatigue and need of change of pace. Thrall has helped me reach so many PRs that I'll always be appreciative and support his next move.
I’m 46 and was a weightlifter throughout my 20s. I still lift, but definitely have earned the pale shadow of my former self award. I still love it though and will do my best to keep going.
Great video and advice everyone outside of the select few who are training for a very specific event or lift should follow. Stop beating yourselves up over not hitting a PR, over feeling weak, over subbing in a different exercise because you weren't feeling the other one. Do what makes you feel good and satisfied.
You said it all. After 43-plus years of training, that´s exactly what I'm doing. For instance, having some fun chopping wood has been part of my training lately. Thanks for the video!
Dude this is awesome and inspiring. I remember watching some of your stuff like 10 years ago and it's super interesting to see how your routine has changed. I'm in my thirties now and my whole mindset has evolved as well. Especially section 5. I've learned to chill out about PR's and how much I'm pushing. Listening to your body is so key in maturing when it comes to any sort of exercise. I still have those days though where everything is not going well and I take it out on the weights. I don't think that will ever leave me.
Respect for making this video. I could totally relate to it. Evolution as a trainer is important. Getting older and wiser as a lifter does have its advantages.
great advice. I am still young in the powerlifting scene and I am still chasing those numbers. But I recognize what you are saying and I agree with a lot of it. I have always wanted to run a marathon, but have put it off for years due to my powerlifting goals. I will continue to do so, because I still love chasing the numbers too much, but I can tell that in a few years, I will want to really change the way I train.
This is some fantastic advice. The older I get( 45yrs old) the harder parallel is on LOW bar squats. Not to mention that rep ranges other than 1-5 really help fitness as well too. I still try to “lean” on my squats but I have to really slow it down to eliminate the stretch reflex on squats. The lean is still good for flexibility but I can’t take the “ bounce” at the bottom. Keep it up Alan Thrall.
As I've aged I have realized the most important thing is that I keep working out. The best way for me to do that is to enjoy what I do. That for me means training in a similar way you described.
I've had to recently learn to "care a little less," after my gym got evicted suddenly, and a hamstring problem decided I needed a break from deadlifting and squatting heavy. It took a while to accept that no one cares what my numbers are, vocalizing it is only part of that process. Definitely good advice, considering most of us are just regular people trying to fit our love of the gym into the work / life balance.
Thanks for this Alan. I’ve been experiencing most of what you discussed including getting away from bench lol. I’m glad to know it’s not just me but a natural happening. Time to figure out how I want to train for the rest of my life. Again thanks for the inspiration it’s been a long time coming.
Judging by the comments for lifters who have been in the gym for the last 30 years this is a great reminder of many of the things we have learned through experience. For any younger lifters though this is a free (and pain free) life lesson. Ask the guys who have been lifting a while and who you respect and I think you see that many of these experiences are pretty universal. Might as well get a jump on decades of learning.
Good. Very good. I've incorporated a few of those things into my own training over the years. Training for me is more pleasure than chasing the brass ring nowadays.
If you're training for health and to look good, not for sports, you should be implementing all sorts of varied training styles on a cyclical basis over the years. People do Starting Strength or Stronglifts (which are absolutely what I recommend for a beginner to the gym) and see results in the gym for the first time ever and think that powerlifting must be magic, when really it's just the first time they've ever progressively overloaded
Alan, I can't really put it in words but such videos of yours always make me question myself and my training philosophy and I can say that good questions leads to good answers. For example, I think that I am stuck at 100 kg squat for a year now but I couldn't be more wrong about it. Now I weigh around 8 kg less...can run 8 kms under 46 minutes and also snapped my back in between, learnt about rehab and new nuances about training and also not to mention that I managed to do all that when I moved out for college and had barely any time but still managed to squeeze 2 or 3 full body sessions per week. this video of yours was really a wakeup call.
While this is great insight into the mind of a mature lifter, and I thank you for it, I still think you have the luxury of having this mindset now because you've accomplished so much in terms of numbers. If your all time squat pr was 315 I doubt you'd be satisfied enough with your fitness journey to train like you currently are.
Agreed! OHP is my prioritized pressing movement now, because it's just much more fun. Fun is where it's at for longevity, I think. I still bench though, but just for volume to add to the OHP.
Stumbled back onto your channel today and find this! PERFECT TIMING! Going through similar thoughts big time! Now to catch up on your content gems I’ve missed! 🫶
I agree, I wish I could transfer my passion to lift to others. when asked a couple of days ago, I responded, that I still get butterflies when I'm heading into a session after 30 years of training. I admire your evolution. It's inspiring. I would have never guessed your thoughts on bench press. I started doing bench after many years of not doing them due to shoulder pain. Honestly, I want to say about 2 years ago you made an updated tutorial on the bench. I studied that video closely and that's what got me into bench I'm pretty much only doing Larsen's as I'm more on the body-building side. Thank you! Oorah!
I started running @NaturalHypertrophy Novice program on Boostcamp and have noticed some of the points you mention, Alan. Biggest one was that my workouts were good and I felt like I got good work in, but I wasn’t beat up and unable to move or have energy for my family. I didn’t realize that when I was doing powerlifting style training that it was running me into the ground so much. I wasn’t much of a powerlifting because I’m small framed but I could tell the eating got me fatter and not leaner like I wanted. Now my training is much more what kind of intensity am I going for, and I’m doing it for health reasons instead of number chasing. I’ve also started rucking and I’m loving it and look forward to strapping on my backpack for a ruck. Great video and thanks for sharing awesome content like this for us.
great video, very relatable to recent times for me. have been chasing a 500 squat but due to how i lowbar my left elbow kept getting hurt. decided to just not care and do other types of squats and now i actually enjoy leg day instead of hating it.
The message of this video is so reassuring to me. I have tried so many times following various powerlifting programs and although I have gained a decent amount of strength, I have not been able to finish a single program without sacrificing my health in some other way (low back issues being the most common). I have started replacing some exercises with more bodyweight/calisthenics work, but I still feel guilty when I am unable to finish my squat sets/reps at the prescribed weight. I think following a more movement and feel based routine (by that I mean focusing on quality of movement and not overexerting myself when I already feel drained) works much better for me (aka average gym enthusiast), but it is much harder to stay true to myself and not make excuses when there is no definitive amount of weight and reps for me to do.
I can relate to so many things you've said Alan. I used to only blast the big 5 barbell lifts but feel sore for days because I had to hit that weight and rep range and I couldn't even run for 10 minutes. I'm now a father and I still train, just with different priorities, mobility is also something I take seriously in order to perform optimaly and I can run for 30 minutes and I don't feel like death.
Forget the stupid comments, I’ve been following you since 19 years old and I was a former fatty. Like fat asf. TIL this day my entire fitness education was birthed by you and IT WORKS, I wouldn’t care if things changed or didn’t. YOU KNOW, what you’re doing so please keep this channel up forever !
This is great advice. I always find myself ebbing between a year or two of training in the style Alan describes here, and then switching back to a more powerlifting-centric style (typically 5/3/1). I think the clear planned progression and goals of programs like 5/3/1 are what keep me coming back, I switch up my accessories a lot but I like to feel 'anchored' to something. But I'm currently at the point mentioned in the video where I'm fried and doing everything I have to in order to add a few more points to this lift or that lift. If anyone has any training programs or paradigms they feel match the vibe of this video I'd love to see them!
I just passed my first year in the gym, and your videos got me into powerlifting early on. Your deadlift video helped me get past the initial "I looked at a barbell and hurt my back," and I recently hit a 2x bodyweight deadlift. (Thanks for getting me on the right track there, BTW.) But I also don't enjoy the bench press, so being a competitive powerlifter ain't an option. I discovered that I really enjoy the Olympic lifts, so that's where I'm putting my effort these days.
I want an entire movie with Alan playing every single character a la Eddie Murphy. We'll call it Natty Professor: The Pumps.
The Nutty Brofessor
And bloach being the final boss
Ello Ychub
It's pasta time
Alan thral or natural hypertrophy collaboration with DR Mike Israel from RP training?
Alan probably has the healthiest mindset of any fitness social media person online
Agreed, been watching his journey for years and he's a damm good human 🫡
One of the few people in the industry who is not a total snake oil seller
Agreed homie
can confirm he is very wholesome in real life
Look for Ben Carpenter, definitely recommend him as health and honest fitness social media person
First time I’ve seen his wife on camera, I gotta say, she’s quite the catch
A total ma'am
Get in line buddy
Does Mrs Adam Paul have a sister?
You mean she resembles a fish?
Why am i so excited and needing alone time to think about her?
"he's not even that good" was so perfectly delivered, it caught me right off guard
This video is equivalent to therapy mate. I 1000% Agree with the point that " the gym should be your sanctuary not a 9 to 5 job you hate ".
We’ve watched Alan grow on social media for the last 10 years. Life has ebbs & flows. Alan has shared his ebbs & flows with us every step of the way with integrity, honesty and humor. The one constant is always his passion for “lifting.” I still go back to your how to deadlift video from time to time. Keep training untamed Alan and keep evolving🦾
Been training since 1993. I've switched from powerlifting, to pure hypertrophy, to a 2 year obsession with running. Since 2015 or so, I've been back to powerlifting. Now I'm 46 and absolute strength is the only quality that I can actually improve, barely. It sucks, but my speed qualities and ability to build muscle, particularly in the quads, is quite diminished. The one constant: no one gives a shit, but me. My wife, kids, and colleagues could care less about my squat PR or that I can't dunk anymore. I've never missed a family dinner or anything, training is just like brushing my teeth. I just like it more.
This is the reality of letting go. I'm 43 soon and missed my window for some of my failed (and unfulfilled) potential. But my 7 year old doesn't care. Neither does my wife. Only a few disintegrating gym bros. I try to do a few things here and there. I hope that you live long in health sir.
@@samuelsontraining i started late, hit my strength peak in my mid to late 40s (competed) and now in my early 50s I am still pretty strong. There's no way I could run fast, or long, like I did in my 20s and 30s. I know some people do, but I don't see it for me. Also, did BJJ for many years. Gave that up too!
@@rdeloges7957 Nice!
I'm 50 , been training on and off for over 20 years . Tried everything from Doggcrapp to 5/3/1 , I'm 6ft 1 and weigh 200lb . I'm going to focus on training for strength now so I don't end up a weak old sack of shit like 90% of the people my age , but I also find strength more fun to achieve 👍
Legendary intro I must say
Had no reason to hit this close to home tho
Colesterol 315, Hell yeah brothe’😂
When everything is a PB, because big number are good numbers! 🤣
Better the cholesterol is 315 than his testosterone 😂
Swolesterol
Do you even eat yolks, bro?
Not the first time you shared that quote: "Have you tried caring less". It's one to remember, in all aspects of life.
Why don’t you care more and put in the prep and work… excuses
A quote that I like is “every dead body on Mount Everest was once a highly motivated person, so maybe relax every once in awhile” 😁
The great Austin baraki?
@@IMFAEmperor I agree that most people make too much excuses, but sooner or later you'll realize you can't constantly redline, and that optimizing everything about your lifestyle just to chase some arbitrary numbers in the gym isn't really sustainable long term. There's no point forcing yourself through an exercise regime that you dread all the time unless you're a professional athlete, which I assume you're not. Consistency and a good balance of life and training is key.
I have a friend that started going to the gym just before me and convinced me to go too. He went 7 times a week, meal prepped, bought expensive supplements and stuff. Eventually he burnt out and quit. I wasn't that obsessed and never went more than 3 times a week, never changed anything about my diet apart from eating an extra plate at dinner (never counted calories or macro's), and probably progressed slower than ideal because of it. But that is a good balance for me and allows me to stay consistent.
@@micahhlopez7678The one and only. Austin “deadlifts-700-pounds-in-slides” Baraki 🩴 🩴 😎
Alan is undefeated when it comes to dropping the exact video I need as both a lifter and trainer
I mean this sincerely, Alan is pound for pound best fitness UA-camr
Iron wolf right up there
It's been inspiring seeing you grow wiser ! As a new father I relate a lot to your message. You can still train hard and with passion without letting the whole thing consume your life.
We all started lifting to better our lives!
You said it very well: "The gym is your sanctuary" or something like that. I agree 100%. In the end of the day, if you are doing any type of training that your actually enjoy, than you should be feeling great and confident. If you feel overly stressful or even like garbabe at the end of your training session, something is wrong, specially if you are running to bigger numbers just for the sake of it.
Thanks for all you do brother. can't tell you how much i've learned from you over the years
The best video out there ...I haven't seen a whole video in youtube for years (especially that long) but this one...oh boy, I've watched every single minute! Every lifter should watch it. It was so revealing for me. Thanks Alan! I am watching you from your very beggining. You taught me the big 3 movements in an easy way. I loved your sense of humor and motivated me even more. Every single word in this video was such an apocalypse for me because I am in your shoes a few years now....a hard working mother/wife, that tries really hard to not collapse and keep doing what she loves....
Glad to see that you have managed to find peace in life.
That’s a great workout mind set.
I have found that I really enjoyed the powerlifting and power building movements until my body was getting hurt too often. I try to workout in ways that I find fun and keep me motivated.
Loved the video Alan. As a 43 year old man who has been training consistently for over 25 years, Im starting to deal with declining strength, aches and pains, and other issues. It gets frustrating sometimes but it’s just part of getting older. Thanks for the perspective.
So much I feel this. I don’t want to hate the gym or dread it. So doing things that are fun and enjoyable makes me want to go. Like I always tell people who ask: the best exercise is the one you’ll do.
Also, I kept hurting my back on squat, became terrified of the movement, and just realized it doesn’t have to be done. And the world went on. It was amazing. Now I do leg stuff that’s awesome and can protect my back.
Wow it's been years since I've been recommended one of your vids and it was so good to hear that "TRAIN UNTAMED" at the end
If you’re having trouble with going to a session throughout the week just add a few exercises that you love doing and feel great doing to the exercise session. You’ll be pumped for each session because you want to do good during these exercises and will feel good doing them. No anguish and stress. Just breath and enjoy the forms.
Yup this is why I like 531. I'll do my programmed sets for squat/deadlift/press and then I'll just wing it and do 50 reps for push/pull/core/single leg, then some conditioning. It makes my gym sessions much more bearable when I can do whatever.
This! I did starting strength in my youth and totally bought in to the “do the programme” mentality and sometimes, I’d like to have done some curls, but didn’t because of what Rip said… as I got older, I realised I should have added a bit do spice and wouldn’t have hated those workouts as much.
Bro. That skit was gold! Kind of reminds me someone. Thanks for the great content through the years.
Absolutely love this perspective man. Many people will soon as welll
One of the most evolved mindsets on lifting that I have ever heard! Thank you Alan…🎉
Mindfulness and intentionality matter!
Definitely impressed with your mindset. As I get/got older my priorities changed and became less rigid and believe it or not progress still continued.
Hey, my favorite "fitness" chanel, i have learned a lot with Alan.
Keep Going my friend!
I love the signature train untamed outro. What a throwback. Been watching for years. Anyone that complains about other people changing may need to do some introspective analysis.
Great Insights! Thanks for taking the time to share what you have learned after so many years. I'm 57 and I also need to balance my priorities such as being a husband, father, trainer, manager, etc. So what you said makes so much sense.
Super relatable video! Thank you for your insights, man. I’m not a power lifter but I enjoy deadlifts and have a 525 deadlift at 158 bodyweight. I can barely bench my bw but I can do weighted pull-ups with +135 lbs. I’m just a random rock climber with a wrestling background and the point you made about enjoying the movements makes so much sense. I remember subbing to this channel a few years ago to learn deadlift technique and nowadays, I don’t even lift much anymore but I still watch all these videos just to hear you talk about whatever.
great video as always, love ur relationship with training
Just you sharing your experiences, mentoring and educating while playing video of you doing different workouts is the perfect format. I mostly have your videos playing the background while I workout instead of music. I pick up different tips each time. The thing that has made a change for me from this video is what you said about "chasing numbers on the bar". I've been doing that for too long and now starting to focus on "adjust intensity at xx reps" and have a new joy of gaming my workout.
Its great to see that his mentality evolved. Too many lifters who came up in the early years of UA-cam fitness (from 2012 on) Got stuck in one mentality and never progressed. He arguably looks better than he did when he was only chasing numbers. excellent progression!
Thanks for sharing your life with us for our edification. It has been educational and entertaining. Youre one of my favorite UA-cam channels
I get an Alan thrall vid in my feed every year or so and every time hes on some completely new arc
This is one of your best videos ! Still making great content this many years late is impressive.
Every single video Alan Thrall posts I say he is so real for that
A bit of retired competitor mindset in here. Still loads of good advice. I have been watching this channel since 2014 or 2015. Shit loads of quality content and Alan as a person is such a beautiful human being.
Probably one of the best videos you have made, very relatable as I went through something similar.
Words of wisdom. Thank you for sharing, Alan.
I'm happy for anyone that wisens up and finds what's best for them. But I've been noticing all of the strength guys transitioning. One by one, all of the strength focused channels I followed religiously on UA-cam are moving on to new areas of fitness, which again is totally awesome, but man I don't want it to happen to me. Maybe it's inevitable. Many of these people were competitive powerlifters (or strongmen) though, which I think contributes to the fatigue and need of change of pace. Thrall has helped me reach so many PRs that I'll always be appreciative and support his next move.
I’m 46 and was a weightlifter throughout my 20s. I still lift, but definitely have earned the pale shadow of my former self award. I still love it though and will do my best to keep going.
Great video and advice everyone outside of the select few who are training for a very specific event or lift should follow. Stop beating yourselves up over not hitting a PR, over feeling weak, over subbing in a different exercise because you weren't feeling the other one. Do what makes you feel good and satisfied.
I had similar shift in my training metodology, great video I totally agree !
I love this, thanks for sharing. There's a lot of guys, myself included, who still have a passion for fitness but don't destroy themselves in the gym.
You said it all. After 43-plus years of training, that´s exactly what I'm doing. For instance, having some fun chopping wood has been part of my training lately. Thanks for the video!
Dude this is awesome and inspiring. I remember watching some of your stuff like 10 years ago and it's super interesting to see how your routine has changed. I'm in my thirties now and my whole mindset has evolved as well. Especially section 5. I've learned to chill out about PR's and how much I'm pushing. Listening to your body is so key in maturing when it comes to any sort of exercise. I still have those days though where everything is not going well and I take it out on the weights. I don't think that will ever leave me.
Respect for making this video. I could totally relate to it. Evolution as a trainer is important. Getting older and wiser as a lifter does have its advantages.
great advice. I am still young in the powerlifting scene and I am still chasing those numbers. But I recognize what you are saying and I agree with a lot of it. I have always wanted to run a marathon, but have put it off for years due to my powerlifting goals. I will continue to do so, because I still love chasing the numbers too much, but I can tell that in a few years, I will want to really change the way I train.
This is pure gold. Thanks a lot for the way you share things.
Thanks
Can't say enough that I appreciate this video and Alan's continuing open dialogue about his perspective on fitness, health, and being human.
This is some fantastic advice. The older I get( 45yrs old) the harder parallel is on LOW bar squats. Not to mention that rep ranges other than 1-5 really help fitness as well too. I still try to “lean” on my squats but I have to really slow it down to eliminate the stretch reflex on squats. The lean is still good for flexibility but I can’t take the “ bounce” at the bottom. Keep it up Alan Thrall.
Think I've been watching you for close to 10 years. So cool to see you mature and grow as a dude and as a lifter. Happy for you.
As I've aged I have realized the most important thing is that I keep working out. The best way for me to do that is to enjoy what I do. That for me means training in a similar way you described.
I'll be coming back to this video every once in a while.
I've had to recently learn to "care a little less," after my gym got evicted suddenly, and a hamstring problem decided I needed a break from deadlifting and squatting heavy. It took a while to accept that no one cares what my numbers are, vocalizing it is only part of that process. Definitely good advice, considering most of us are just regular people trying to fit our love of the gym into the work / life balance.
Semper Gumby ! Thanks for the thoughtful words coach ! Always good info when i click on your stuff ... Thanks Alan !!
Thanks for this Alan. I’ve been experiencing most of what you discussed including getting away from bench lol. I’m glad to know it’s not just me but a natural happening. Time to figure out how I want to train for the rest of my life. Again thanks for the inspiration it’s been a long time coming.
This might be one of the most beneficial videos I’ve seen in a long time. Thanks Alan
Judging by the comments for lifters who have been in the gym for the last 30 years this is a great reminder of many of the things we have learned through experience. For any younger lifters though this is a free (and pain free) life lesson. Ask the guys who have been lifting a while and who you respect and I think you see that many of these experiences are pretty universal. Might as well get a jump on decades of learning.
That was perfect. And I concur with all points and the bench malaise specifically.
Good. Very good. I've incorporated a few of those things into my own training over the years. Training for me is more pleasure than chasing the brass ring nowadays.
2:08 Was totally expecting Adam Paul to tell the doc, "You wish your bench was as high as my cholesterol"
😄😄👌
zen and the art of fitness
Great insight and motivational discussion
If you're training for health and to look good, not for sports, you should be implementing all sorts of varied training styles on a cyclical basis over the years. People do Starting Strength or Stronglifts (which are absolutely what I recommend for a beginner to the gym) and see results in the gym for the first time ever and think that powerlifting must be magic, when really it's just the first time they've ever progressively overloaded
Alan, I can't really put it in words but such videos of yours always make me question myself and my training philosophy and I can say that good questions leads to good answers.
For example, I think that I am stuck at 100 kg squat for a year now but I couldn't be more wrong about it. Now I weigh around 8 kg less...can run 8 kms under 46 minutes and also snapped my back in between, learnt about rehab and new nuances about training and also not to mention that I managed to do all that when I moved out for college and had barely any time but still managed to squeeze 2 or 3 full body sessions per week.
this video of yours was really a wakeup call.
While this is great insight into the mind of a mature lifter, and I thank you for it, I still think you have the luxury of having this mindset now because you've accomplished so much in terms of numbers.
If your all time squat pr was 315 I doubt you'd be satisfied enough with your fitness journey to train like you currently are.
If I was the last man on Earth, I would only bench with spotter arms.
Very similar thoughts on bench. Overhead press is just a lot more fun. Also, looking jacked!
Agreed! OHP is my prioritized pressing movement now, because it's just much more fun. Fun is where it's at for longevity, I think. I still bench though, but just for volume to add to the OHP.
This is great. I enjoyed listening to this a lot. Thanks. Great perspective on training and health. Try caring less.
Your wisdom is amazing, thank you
Stumbled back onto your channel today and find this!
PERFECT TIMING! Going through similar thoughts big time!
Now to catch up on your content gems I’ve missed! 🫶
I agree, I wish I could transfer my passion to lift to others. when asked a couple of days ago, I responded, that I still get butterflies when I'm heading into a session after 30 years of training. I admire your evolution. It's inspiring. I would have never guessed your thoughts on bench press. I started doing bench after many years of not doing them due to shoulder pain. Honestly, I want to say about 2 years ago you made an updated tutorial on the bench. I studied that video closely and that's what got me into bench I'm pretty much only doing Larsen's as I'm more on the body-building side. Thank you! Oorah!
I started running @NaturalHypertrophy Novice program on Boostcamp and have noticed some of the points you mention, Alan. Biggest one was that my workouts were good and I felt like I got good work in, but I wasn’t beat up and unable to move or have energy for my family. I didn’t realize that when I was doing powerlifting style training that it was running me into the ground so much. I wasn’t much of a powerlifting because I’m small framed but I could tell the eating got me fatter and not leaner like I wanted.
Now my training is much more what kind of intensity am I going for, and I’m doing it for health reasons instead of number chasing. I’ve also started rucking and I’m loving it and look forward to strapping on my backpack for a ruck.
Great video and thanks for sharing awesome content like this for us.
great video, very relatable to recent times for me.
have been chasing a 500 squat but due to how i lowbar my left elbow kept getting hurt. decided to just not care and do other types of squats and now i actually enjoy leg day instead of hating it.
The message of this video is so reassuring to me. I have tried so many times following various powerlifting programs and although I have gained a decent amount of strength, I have not been able to finish a single program without sacrificing my health in some other way (low back issues being the most common). I have started replacing some exercises with more bodyweight/calisthenics work, but I still feel guilty when I am unable to finish my squat sets/reps at the prescribed weight. I think following a more movement and feel based routine (by that I mean focusing on quality of movement and not overexerting myself when I already feel drained) works much better for me (aka average gym enthusiast), but it is much harder to stay true to myself and not make excuses when there is no definitive amount of weight and reps for me to do.
Alan Thrall is someone who’s videos I’ve peeked in on every once in a while, for probably a decade.
This one is my absolute favorite.
Exactly what I needed to hear right now. Thank you for this.
Everyone who watched Westside vs. the World knows that the first bit isn’t even hyperbole
The bit when Louis has had a tracheotomy and his gym bro is like “you’re fuckin maxing out today” made me cry laughing
You still got it, buddy. Miss you guys!
I can relate to so many things you've said Alan. I used to only blast the big 5 barbell lifts but feel sore for days because I had to hit that weight and rep range and I couldn't even run for 10 minutes. I'm now a father and I still train, just with different priorities, mobility is also something I take seriously in order to perform optimaly and I can run for 30 minutes and I don't feel like death.
Forget the stupid comments, I’ve been following you since 19 years old and I was a former fatty. Like fat asf. TIL this day my entire fitness education was birthed by you and IT WORKS, I wouldn’t care if things changed or didn’t. YOU KNOW, what you’re doing so please keep this channel up forever !
This approach is very helpful... Im gonna take some of this
This is great advice. I always find myself ebbing between a year or two of training in the style Alan describes here, and then switching back to a more powerlifting-centric style (typically 5/3/1). I think the clear planned progression and goals of programs like 5/3/1 are what keep me coming back, I switch up my accessories a lot but I like to feel 'anchored' to something. But I'm currently at the point mentioned in the video where I'm fried and doing everything I have to in order to add a few more points to this lift or that lift.
If anyone has any training programs or paradigms they feel match the vibe of this video I'd love to see them!
That B stance front squat is nice, Alan.
great video Alan
Well said brother, much appreciated
Allan you are the best, great video.
Great video Alan! some really good advice
Training wisdom. True Training wisdom coming out of this man
Great production as usual Alan!
Best thing was question „what are your biggest accomplishments in life“ and he instantly talks about his gym PRs.
watching you after months. Your arms look noticably bigger!!
I agree. Never liked bench, haven't benched serious weight in many years as part of my routine.
Finally Adam Paul is back.
I just passed my first year in the gym, and your videos got me into powerlifting early on. Your deadlift video helped me get past the initial "I looked at a barbell and hurt my back," and I recently hit a 2x bodyweight deadlift. (Thanks for getting me on the right track there, BTW.) But I also don't enjoy the bench press, so being a competitive powerlifter ain't an option. I discovered that I really enjoy the Olympic lifts, so that's where I'm putting my effort these days.
Your upper body looks INCREDIBLE! Compared to the past. What was that staggered front squat stance for??