[@RenaissancePeriodization] Exercise Scientist Critiques Video Game Workouts (before GTA VI)

Link: https://youtu.be/xCeDyt06miA

Short Summary

Number One Action Item/Takeaway:

Don't be fooled by ineffective exercises that appear to be workouts. Ensure your training is actually challenging and theoretically effective for muscle growth and fat loss.

Executive Summary:

Dr. Mike reviews workout routines found in video games, highlighting the good, the bad, and the absurd. He emphasizes that while being inclusive in fitness is important, workouts should still be challenging and effective, contrasting the relatively decent GTA training with the ineffective exercises found in the Wii games, which give the illusion of exercise without real results. He encourages separating gaming from genuine, challenging workouts.

Key Quotes

Here are 5 quotes that represent valuable insights or strong opinions from the transcript:

1. "When you say things like firming up the muscles or toning the muscles, it's cool on vibes because it does communicate something like communicates like an end result you want. But the problem is that it misleads people on how anatomy and physiology actually work. And so you have generations, and I do mean generations of people that resist conventional resistance training, lifting heavy barbells, dumbbells, and machines to build their muscles. They resist conventional dietary approaches of reducing calories for several months and seeing the fat stores drip off. And then they're actually resisting the best kinds of results that get them the firmer look that they want because they're under this illusion that you don't just grow muscle and burn fat."
2. "Getting people into some shit means really good things. But if you get them into the shit wrong in a way that doesn't work, you're risking them burning out and realizing they're not getting results. And then in their head, they label exercise as a thing that doesn't work for them."
3. "This is exactly what I would call saccharine exercise. It looks like exercise to the untrained eye, but it actually does nothing at all."
4. "Everyone's got abs. Literally, everyone has abs beneath their fat. You just got to burn the fat off. You can do these exercises and waste your time or you can not do them and just use the RP diet coach app. Shameless plug. Either way, one of those will get you results."
5. "The purpose of working out almost definitionally is challenge. So, I give the Wii workouts a Jesus one out of 10 or two out of 10. GTA and all that other stuff gets a seven out of 10. Good attempt. And uh in general, video games are dope, but get you a nice workout in, get your swoll on, come home, have a nice meal, then get to gaming. Keep the two separate. You're probably best off for now."

Detailed Summary

Here's a detailed summary of the YouTube video transcript, focusing on the key topics and arguments, while excluding sponsor mentions and unrelated banter:

Key Topics:

• Reviewing Workouts in Video Games: The video analyzes the realism and effectiveness of exercises presented in video games, specifically on the Wii and in Grand Theft Auto (GTA).

Arguments and Information:

• Critique of "Firming" and "Toning" Terminology:

  • Dr. Mike argues against using terms like "firming up muscles" or "toning" because they mislead people about how anatomy and physiology work.
  • He states that firmness is a result of muscle mass, fat content, and skin quality, achieved through resistance training, diet, and skincare, respectively.
  • He emphasizes that there's no special way to train that firms muscles without building them, debunking the "firm and tone without the bulk" myth.

• Wii Fitness Game Analysis:

  • He criticizes the Wii exercises, particularly the rowing squat, for their lack of proper form, depth, and resistance.
  • The rowing squat is deemed ineffective, "saccharine exercise" because it lacks resistance (gravity doesn't point horizontally and there are no weights).
  • He argues that even beginners should engage in exercises that are fundamentally effective, even if they start with light weights and modifications, like squatting to a chair.
  • The plank exercise is critiqued for being a "waste of time", and isometrically contracting abs instead of dynamically, which is better for muscle growth.
  • Other exercises in the Wii game are criticized for offering bad cues and having little value.

• Critique of General Exercise Cues:

  • The video critiques the use of generic cues, like "keep your core tight," without explaining their purpose or relevance to the exercise at hand.

• Abs and Diet:

  • He emphasizes that having visible abs is primarily about reducing body fat through diet.
  • He suggests using the RP Diet Coach app to diet down and reveal abs, rather than relying solely on ab exercises.

• GTA Workout Analysis:

  • The video humorously analyzes the workouts in GTA, acknowledging that they are not intended to be realistic.
  • Some aspects of the GTA exercises, like pull-up technique and sit-ups, are surprisingly well-animated, or are functional.
  • However, the video highlights unrealistic elements, such as carrying an implausible amount of weapons without affecting mobility and the character floating over the bench.
  • Bench press is done in straight-line, is floating over the bench, and the wrist are jutted out.

• Overall Assessment and Recommendation:

  • The video concludes that the Wii workouts are largely ineffective and misleading, while the GTA workouts, despite being unrealistic, are not as harmful.
  • He recommends separating video game workouts from serious fitness goals, emphasizing the importance of challenging and effective exercises for real results.

• Training Every Day:

  • Training everyday can lead to burn out, it is better to train every few days and have an open door if you fall off the wagon.