Ask Alfonso: Can I Really Get Ripped at Home?
Hi Alfonso!
I have a quick and concise question: I was told recently by a Physical Education teacher that there is no way to achieve a lean, ripped body simply by following a consistent bodyweight + interval training routine at home (while following a clean diet). She said she was qualified to say that.
In your professional opinion, is it indeed impossible? Is it necessary to go to the gym and use machines for those types of results? I ask because I found her opinion strange, especially since I now do that type of training at home with Zuzana from Body Rock TV four times a week and follow a clean diet. Within the last 5 months I have seen some extremely encouraging changes in my body – not to mention my attitude as well. I’ve seen it and so have my family and friends.
Any thoughts you have on the matter would be appreciated! : )
Thanks, Renelle
Hey Renelle!
First of all, I want to say congratulations on your success thus far. I love that you say that not only you but also your friends and family see changes in your attitude. That’s great as I always say exercise reaches further than just outward appearances.
I had to think for a bit on how to comment on this “teachers” statement without seeming really rude. But truthfully, she doesn’t know her ass from her elbow! Seriously, I don’t know if this is a trend, but my son’s gym teacher has also said some ridiculous things. For instance, she said all kids have to drink whole milk everyday; not skim, not 2%, not almond, rice or soy, but regular old fattening calorie loaded whole milk! She’s also said that full sit-ups are bad for kids to perform and only allows them to do crunches. The result, my son couldn’t do one freakin’ sit-up! I digress, sorry…
It’s so super simple to understand this – achieving a lean, ripped physique is possible, even without any exercise! Yes, you read that right. It’s all about body fat levels, and visibly seeing the muscles of the human body. Muscle by definition is toned, and even at basic human development most people carry a decent amount of mass. It’s our obesity epidemic and overeating culture that has lead a great percentage of the population to literally be covered in fat. Which means you can’t see the muscles you already have.
I had a bad case of mono my senior year of high school. I was bed ridden for 2 months, could barely eat, or work out or exercise, and I lost a tremendous amount of weight. When I returned to health and school I was ripped! Albeit I was smaller from muscle mass I had lost but I was ripped! Seriously, I remember friends asking me if they could get sick (creepy actually as today’s society has produced the virus diet for weight loss) because they saw how I looked.
Now, of course exercise speeds up the process, burns calories, build muscles, vitality and health etc. You know how it goes. And working out with machines and free weights will build bigger muscles than a bodyweight routine just due to the adaptive process. Use of bigger weights equals bigger muscles generally. But you didn’t ask her how to get huge and lean, you asked if you could get a lean ripped body using Zuzi workouts and interval training. The answer is yes of course you can, if your diet is right and you reduce your body-fat to low enough levels.
Different types of training produce different results; whether it is strength, muscle, cardio-vascular fitness gains, or whatever. But no matter how you train, if you’re too fat, you ain’t gonna’ see jack, or your abs. At the end of the day, you have to eat right and watch your portions to show off those muscles. So diet for a few months, get shredded, and then ask your teacher if she wants to do her laundry on your abs!
Let me know how it goes and if any of you out there would like to book a more in-depth consultation with me – just drop me a line via How To Book button in the sidebar.
And if you have a question – please click here. I’d love to help you!
All information contained within this site, Angry Trainer Fitness.com, is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem – nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this website. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health or on any opinions expressed within this website. Please see your physician before changing your diet, starting an exercise program, or taking any supplements of any kind.
| Print article | This entry was posted by Alfonso on March 9, 2011 at 5:38 pm, and is filed under ASK ALFONSO. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |


































about 2 years ago
Hey, Alfonso! Just got back from a lovely trip to the seaside (no internet connection, however). I finally log on and have the pleasure of finding this equally lovely post! Warmest thanks for your opinion and encouragement. While I never let that P.E. teacher keep me from my goals , it’s still very reassuring to hear a knowledgeable professional say positive things about alternative routines. Again: congratulations on having offered an informative and articulate text.
about 2 years ago
Not forgetting to mention that it is extremly amusingly written
about 2 years ago
Hey, Berit! Nice see you commenting! How are ya? Yup, you’re right: all of the sudden “angry” bits and digressions are hilarious. He’s kinda like that Panda in the cheese commerical he posted, except that instead of cheese he gets miffed about exercise myths and con jobs. **Camera swtiches to a gym somewhere in time and space. A personal trainer tells his or her female client to work those “tiny auxiliary muscles”. They have also forgotten to rack the equipment they’ve used, leaving them all over the floor. In a corner, Alfonso materializes out of nowehere. He looks at them calmly and in silence. They also look at him in silence, stunned. Suddenly, he yells “THIS IS BULL!” and starts telling them off** lol
about 2 years ago
Wow you have quite an imagination Renelle. I’m glad you all “get me” and like my delivery. By the way, are you on FB, and have you “liked” the fanpage?
about 2 years ago
No, Alfonso, I´m not on FB. HOWEVER!: I do recommend you to friends and fam who read in English. As soon as you get your site translations up and running (Spanish and Portuguese included, please **fingers crossed**) I’ll having the pleasure of spreading the word even more, ok?
Promise!
about 2 years ago
It’s a deal Renelle. Thanks!
about 2 years ago
Please don’t ruin a good thing – stay off of xxxxxxx show and website, so many people are making simple lifestyle changes, they don’t need your ego.
about 2 years ago
Rapids, what are you referring to? Ego, where? When? My mission is the same as xxxxxx, to help people in their quest to find health and fitness – to breakdown myths and provide accurate information. If you felt I was out of line for anything I posted, I’m sorry for that. But I have no intention of ruining anything, and frankly I’m surprised by your comments.
about 2 years ago
Thanks for asking Renelle, I’m alrighto. Hanging in there with the programm while trying to finish my Master’s thesis
You know what was great the other day? I recently chatted with my WO-Buddy who is always superbusy workwise and I asked him how he managed to cope with all his stuff and he said “You know Berit, without my evening run I wouldn’t” nd I was like “OMG I feel the same!” A good workout gives me a sense of accomplishment and a run just clears my head. =)
@Alfonso I somehow missed you’ve had a FB Page, I’ll go there immediately!
about 2 years ago
Berit! We have even more in common! I’m at the end phase of my Masters too – Social Anthropology. S.l.o.w.l.y typing up my dissertation, all the while praying for insight and courage
I should be defending it by April. Your WO-buddy is so right, exercise helps you cope with the madness that would otherwise be overwhelming : )
Good luck with your thesis. If it´s published online, send us a link so we can join you in being proud of that too.
about 2 years ago
Hello Renelle, that’s awesome
Are you on Facebook btw? You can find me under Berit Andersson, look for a girl with a bunch of curls and a skeptical expression (it’s my thesis face
) It’d be great to be FB buddies =)
about 2 years ago
Nevermind what Rapids said, he/she is just mad because they are not in shape and thinks anyone who is has an ”ego”. Can’t please all people, just be yourself
about 2 years ago
I didn’t say anything because it’s clear Alfonso can defend himself and it’s a part of a healthy blogging scene to deal with different opinions (congratulations once again on the level of transparency here on ATF). However, when people mistake having the right to an opinion with having the right to be alarmingly rude, it does spoil it a bit for all the others involved in the exchange. Pity…