Why Strength Matters

If you're not strong, you'll stay small forever.
----------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Naturally Enhanced 5% Off "ADF"
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------

0:00 Introduction
0:57 The problem
3:29 My lagging arms
5:33 The new consensus
8:29 Getting stronger is not Powerlifting
11:12 But still a good test
12:39 Ego hypocrisy
15:33 Advanced lifters
16:15 The settling excuse
19:35 Caring about strength
21:17 Upper body flaws
22:45 Hypertrophy disconnect
23:48 Cyborg technique truth
26:10 More out of LESS weight
27:11 More out of MORE weight
28:02 Bodybuilders are not weak
28:54 Forgotten roots
29:23 Best of both worlds
32:20 In the end
33:38 Being weak feels wrong
35:30 Conclusion

Disclaimer: Alex Leonidas is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before starting any exercise program. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Alex Leonidas will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this video including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or passing.

#strength #strengthtraining #hypertrophy

[Marko-ijvy]

The problem is when someone says "strength training" people will automatically associate it with powerlifting. You should get stronger at everything not just the powerlifts. Want big biceps? Get strong at curls. Want big triceps? Get strong at triceps extensions. Heck even lateral raises numbers should go up if you want wider and rounder shoulders. Get strong at everything including isolation exercises not just the compounds and you will get jacked.

[Not-Lunar]

Mfw Alex progressively overloads the length of his videos (In 4 months, we'll get a 7-hour Essay)

[johnfoster]

My favorite thing about Alex is he’s not dogmatic. So many YouTubers say things like “only do these kinds of exercises” or “never do this exercise”. He understands that training is very nuanced and what you should do depends on many variables, including your goals, your build, what training level your at etc.

[DumptruckFrye]

When I was in high school around 2002, I was living off 5x5s and getting pretty jacked and strong through sheer effort and the blessing of youth. When my friend wrapped his car around a tree with me in the passenger seat, I sustained several spinal injuries that kept me from exercising till a year and a half ago, when I could finally afford artificial disc replacement surgery.

When I came back to exercise, I was overwhelmed with the amount of information out there, and I made the mistake of finding Athlean X’s fear mongering videos before digging deeper. I finally started going under 8 reps a few months ago, and it has been far more enjoyable. Turning 40 in a few months and hope to hit a 225 OHP, 315 bench, and 405 ATG squat at 5’7” 180 before then. Thanks for the inspiration!

[BasementBodybuilding]

The problem is “not caring” about strength is being used as a mask by some for “I’m afraid” of strength. When someone like me says I don’t care about strength, I genuinely mean that. It’s not a good or bad thing, it just is what it is. And through chasing size, I’ve gotten pretty damn good strength: preacher curl 120x5, smith JM 250x7, smith bench 310x9, etc.

So if I don’t care about strength, that doesn’t mean I don’t get stronger, it means if I’m big with below average strength, I don’t care! On the other side of the same coin, if I’m big and had to grind it out with brutally hard, heavy lifting? I also don’t care that I had to suffer through that. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. It’s not about avoiding (being afraid, really) strength, it’s about not caring, regardless.

Of course it’s a bit more nuanced than that, but this is a comment and not a 25 minute ramble of mine haha

Edit: oh and excellent video per usual, nice work articulating the more subtle aspects of this topic

[tristensifuentes]

Powerlifting strength with bodybuilding physique is the goal. Never stop getting stronger

[GVS]

"this will save a lot of time for the future generation of lifters"

They're gonna be

[j.e.t.v]

Dude your pure passion for improvement is crazy. Every time i feel like it's not worth the grind, you change my mind.

[RoseFPSgg]

quick correction, his name is natural obesity now

[shounenplug]

I have progressed on weighted calisthenics thanks to you Alex

[kwerby]

More strength = more tension = more hypertrophy = more muscle = more strength

Just don’t ignore your isolations

[ianwilliams]

Hey he's clean shaven, nice look for late summer. Looks to be an inspiring video too. Always stronger!

[yfaewwegfawg]

I always loved the synergy between hypertrophy and strength in certain movements, nothing balloons me up like making progress on weighted pull ups

[psinquisition]

My bench numbers aren’t going to blow anyone away, but I don’t see anyone in my gym overhead pressing more than me. Or maxing out the cable station for reps on pushdowns. A plateau is just a new challenge.

[atlaspowershrugged]

One minute in and I can tell this'll be a great message. Back's looking even crazier than ever!

[SFSomega]

I am turning 41 this year, lifting weights for almost 25 years.
I can only say that I lifted heavy for pretty my my whole lifting career, with the result that I accumulated a lot of small injuries in my joints.
That encouraged me to train lighter, at around the 12 rep range and I feel so much better. My body is literally healing from all the damage that I have done over the years.
Not saying you will win bodybuilding show or powerlifting competitions while training like this, but you can be a pretty healthy and buff natty.

[TheIncidentTracker]

So glad I'm early to a video by alex, glad to see you hit 400k! I really appreciate your advice man thanks for all the help!

[bersel]

Watched it to the end now. Alex, its such a great thing to have someone like you on my lifting journey. I was always a heavy chubby guy, now im getting stronger at the basics and i can do weighted pullups and dips now, im looking forward to be able to enjoy calisthenics all the more soon. Thank you alex, your a beast :)

[Alien-iytn]

Bro I swear the amount of confidence and hope your vids give me is amazing!

[Chumly]

One of the best creators on fitness youtube, tired of the blackpill narrative that sets the bar for nattys so low.