Why I Stopped Using Weights

Summary

In this video, the creator explains why they moved away from traditional weight training and gravitated toward more unconventional equipment for their home gym. Despite a long history of using barbells, dumbbells, and free weights, the creator found that machines and tools like the X3 and Total Gym provided more efficient muscle activation and a more engaging workout experience. The shift was driven by a desire for better time efficiency, muscle stimulation, and a fresh approach to fitness. While the creator plans to incorporate more weights in the future, the key takeaway is finding the right tool for the job to achieve optimal results.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is not against weight training but shifted focus due to limitations in equipment and space at home.
• 😀 Initially, the speaker was a dedicated gym-goer, using barbells and dumbbells consistently from a young age.
• 😀 The 2020 gym closures forced the speaker to adapt to home fitness using limited, non-traditional equipment like the Total Gym and Power Blocks.
• 😀 Discovering unconventional tools like the Slotting Men's Trainer and X3 Bar led the speaker to explore alternative ways to challenge the body.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of feeling the right muscle tension during exercises, which sometimes made free weights feel less effective.
• 😀 Flexibility and ease of switching exercises with minimal equipment (like bands and machines) were key reasons for moving away from free weights.
• 😀 While free weights are great, the speaker found that more efficient and fun workouts could be achieved with alternative tools.
• 😀 The speaker highlights that home fitness experimentation led to the realization that the right tool for the job can be unconventional.
• 😀 There was a personal discovery of the benefits of non-traditional equipment that targeted the body in ways different from standard weight training.
• 😀 The speaker plans to incorporate more traditional weights and barbells in the future but with a more thoughtful, intuitive approach.

Q & A

Why did you stop using traditional weight training with barbells and dumbbells?

I didn’t stop using weights altogether, but I shifted away from them due to the efficiency and effectiveness of alternative tools, especially during a time when I was limited to home fitness equipment. I found that machines and unconventional equipment provided better results for me in terms of muscle stimulation and overall workout efficiency.

Did you abandon weight training entirely?

No, I’m not against weight training at all. I’ll be reintroducing barbells, dumbbells, and other free weights into my routine in the future. The key takeaway is that I focused on finding the right tools for the job based on my personal goals and what worked best for my body at that time.

What equipment did you have available for your home workouts during 2020?

In 2020, due to gym closures, I was left with limited home fitness equipment, including a cheap Weider Ultimate Bodyworks (a knockoff of the Total Gym), a pair of PowerBlocks with 80 pounds of weight, a bench, and an old air bike.

How did your view on fitness equipment change during this time?

During this period, I began experimenting with the equipment I had and realized that some unconventional tools—like the Total Gym and Sling Men’s Trainers—provided better muscle engagement and a more efficient workout than traditional free weights in my home setup.

Why did you choose to stop using free weights for certain exercises?

The main reason I stopped using free weights as much was because I wasn’t feeling the same level of muscle engagement or tension in the target muscles. Free weights didn’t provide the same kind of efficiency or time under tension that I was seeking for building muscle, especially in a home gym environment.

What benefits did you find with alternative fitness equipment?

Alternative equipment like the Total Gym and Sling Men’s Trainers allowed for smoother transitions between exercises, better muscle stimulation, and faster, more enjoyable workouts. I also liked that these tools were more efficient for my goals and didn’t require as much space or setup time compared to traditional free weights.

What did you learn about the importance of feeling in your workouts?

I learned that the feeling and muscle stress during an exercise are crucial for achieving the best results. If a piece of equipment or exercise doesn’t feel right, it’s important to adjust. For me, certain tools provided a better overall feeling and muscle engagement than traditional weights for specific exercises.

Were there any particular exercises that felt better on alternative equipment compared to free weights?

Yes, many upper-body exercises like chest presses, shoulder presses, and bicep curls felt more effective and better targeted when using machines or alternative equipment. However, I still believe free weights are superior for certain movements like squats and deadlifts, which engage the lower body more effectively.

How did the switch to alternative equipment affect the variety of your workouts?

Switching to alternative equipment made my workouts more varied and fun. I was able to quickly change exercises, keep the intensity high, and engage different muscle groups more efficiently, making my workouts more dynamic and less monotonous.

What are your plans for incorporating free weights into your future workouts?

I plan to bring free weights back into my routine but with a more balanced and personalized approach. I’ll be more mindful of selecting the right equipment for each exercise, combining free weights with other tools for the best results based on what feels best for my body.