Mike Israetel - sage or egomaniac??

mixmastermo said:
Soo I watch some training related stuff on youtube to get some ideas on workouts, mixing things up, etc. I cam across this Dr. Mike Israetel guy - who apparently has a Ph.D in sport physiology from Lehman college (which is hardly a prestigious school here in NYC but I digress)

He legitimately has some great videos and advice- like the following



Here he breaks down the myths and limitations of body types



Here he has some good dieting advice



Here's some great info about form and targeting musicles- there's a whole series of these.

BUT THEN

As chill and smart as he comes off in those videos, he has a whole series of videos bashing people. Mostly celebrities, but he bashes other youtubers as well



Here he is tearing down the V shred guy. I mean- if he has found that the guy is selling snake oil, then fine- criticize the method, break it down, and explain why someone should not follow it. However, in that video- he lets the V Shred promo video play and Mike just basically makes fun of the guy. It was so annoying I couldn't finish watching.

There's a whole series of him just going off on athletes and celebrities



Really dude?



Here he's going off on Tom Brady. Where are YOUR superbowl rings Mike?



And here he's going off on Chris Hemsworth, possibly the hottest actor in Hollywood at the moment. Where are YOUR blockbuster movies Mike?


In the end I suppose what I am saying he's useful, but he's a bit of a smug prick too.

Now excuse me while I go do upright rows for the next 6 hours.
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It brings views. Hes always respectful for the people deserving of respect.

Youre also fallling victim to the halo effect. Why shouldnt you be able to critize people doing stupid things, if they have won a superbowl ring? The logic doesnt track. You understand that hollywood stars and sports stars can do unintelligent things, correct?
 
Long video, but there's some interesting stuff from both men.

 
Interesting reaction to a reaction.

I respect Dr.Mike but I sense a dismissal of kettlebells as a potentially valuable full-body exercise piece of equipment.

Whatever praises he has said about them are usually followed by 'other pieces of equipment are better.'



Mr.Mike has an obvious preference for bodybuilding, and his opinion is valuable in that respect.
 
GearSolidMetal said:
Interesting reaction to a reaction.

I respect Dr.Mike but I sense a dismissal of kettlebells as a potentially valuable full-body exercise piece of equipment.

Whatever praises he has said about them are usually followed by 'other pieces of equipment are better.'



Mr.Mike has an obvious preference for bodybuilding, and his opinion is valuable in that respect.
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To be honest, I'm not a big fan of kettlebells myself. I used them a lot during COVID, when the gyms were shut. Better than nothing, but nowhere near as good as barbells/dumbbells or even calisthenics.

That's just my personal view, of course. YMMV.
 
KnightTemplar said:
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of kettlebells myself. I used them a lot during COVID, when the gyms were shut. Better than nothing, but nowhere near as good as barbells/dumbbells or even calisthenics.

That's just my personal view, of course. YMMV.
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Completely understand where you're coming from, and overall gyms beat everything because they basically have everything for anyone.

However, gyms are also a big commitment, both for time and money. Money because the fees are always going up and that doesn't count personal training. Time because between going to the gym, getting ready, working out, the shower afterward, and going home... Basically a 40 minute workout is a 2 hour commitment. Sometime life happens so its hard to stay consistent.

For me, kettlebells have been an awesome way to build a home gym for a few hundred dollars in my basement.
*The Kettlebells.
*Gym mats.
*A small TV.

And I have a few kettlebell workout DVDs, or I can use Smartview on my phone to stream workouts on YouTube to the small TV.

Workouts like this one.



Trust me, this workout is grueling with a 50 pounder.
 
KnightTemplar said:
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of kettlebells myself. I used them a lot during COVID, when the gyms were shut. Better than nothing, but nowhere near as good as barbells/dumbbells or even calisthenics.

That's just my personal view, of course. YMMV.
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I think it honestly just comes down to the individual and what he's after and how hard he goes after whatever that is. Guys can get great results from kettlebells, guys can get great results from weights.
 
Kforcer said:
I think it honestly just comes down to the individual and what he's after and how hard he goes after whatever that is. Guys can get great results from kettlebells, guys can get great results from weights.
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That's why I said: YMMV.

You can get ridiculously strong with KB's; I've seen guys Military Press a pair of 48kg kettlebells. Most people couldn't do that with a barbell.

That said, Barbells will always develop strength more efficiently and to a greater degree than KB's. Especially when it comes to the lower body. No Kettlebell movement equates to Squatting or Deadlifting hundreds of pounds.
 
KnightTemplar said:
That's why I said: YMMV.

You can get ridiculously strong with KB's; I've seen guys Military Press a pair of 48kg kettlebells. Most people couldn't do that with a barbell.

That said, Barbells will always develop strength more efficiently and to a greater degree than KB's. Especially when it comes to the lower body. No Kettlebell movement equates to Squatting or Deadlifting hundreds of pounds.
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I don't really agree, I guess. I wouldn't think there's necessarily a cap on how strong someone can get with a given movement beyond their own personal limitations. That's just my take though. In the end, I really think it comes down to you and what you bring to it. But, who knows. This stuff is complex.
 


Very good advice.

Typically if I'm doing three sets of ten and I feel like I can do more then I go to failure.

Otherwise, going to failure too often can lead to exhaustion/fatigue.
 






These are great.
 
GearSolidMetal said:
Completely understand where you're coming from, and overall gyms beat everything because they basically have everything for anyone.

However, gyms are also a big commitment, both for time and money. Money because the fees are always going up and that doesn't count personal training. Time because between going to the gym, getting ready, working out, the shower afterward, and going home... Basically a 40 minute workout is a 2 hour commitment. Sometime life happens so its hard to stay consistent.

For me, kettlebells have been an awesome way to build a home gym for a few hundred dollars in my basement.
*The Kettlebells.
*Gym mats.
*A small TV.

And I have a few kettlebell workout DVDs, or I can use Smartview on my phone to stream workouts on YouTube to the small TV.

Workouts like this one.



Trust me, this workout is grueling with a 50 pounder.
Click to expand...

Of course you can get a great workout with kettlebells. Is it the best option if you want to optimize 100% and go up to a bodybuilding stage? Probably not but you can get awesome results with 50lbs kettlebells.

Some I take from Mike that he often says that his advice is mostly for advanced people and regular people only need to train 2 or 3 times at week for 40 minutes and they will get most of results. All of the rest is nuance.

I have a very minimalistic gym setup at my house and honestly beside maybe some leg machines I do not need anything else (and even that is a stretch). I go to the gym during the year for variation but I have been working out at home (and the park with bars) for the last 2 months and I'm having some of the best workouts in my life.

BTW Have you tried plate loaded dumbbells? I find them incredibly practical.
 
His videos are funny. As far as critiquing goes, he seems currently fixated on full stretch and slow eccentrics.
 


Lolol I keep getting this stuff on my algorithm. This is abusive.
 
NoSmilez said:


Lolol I keep getting this stuff on my algorithm. This is abusive.
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Lmao I guess this editing style caters to the teenager crowd? The sound effects and cuts are funny sprinkled here and there, but this shit is genuinely unwatchable to me.
 
Volador said:
Lmao I guess this editing style caters to the teenager crowd? The sound effects and cuts are funny sprinkled here and there, but this shit is genuinely unwatchable to me.
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I think his demographic is 18-25 now. I believe his channel took a dive when the industry turned against him but he made enough money. He doesn't care anymore so he makes brain rot videos. It's just a big commercial to sell his cookbook and supplements. I believe the biggest fitness youtubers aren't the ones from bodybuilding. It's people who do yoga or cater towards female fitness or male lifestyle.
 
He said something recently something like strongmen are going to eventually dominate BJJ. We shall see.
 
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