Rating: 
Author: Nick Nilsson
Recommended For:
Intermediate-Advanced
Price: $15
Format: E-Book (Electronic Delivery)
| Skip down to the “Bottom Line” |
Hybrid training as defined by Nick Nilsson is combining two methods of training in an effort to better work the muscle and, consequently, spur greater muscle growth.
Essentially, Nilsson’s “Hybrid Training” is more of a guide on how to creatively incorporate bands and cables into your training than an actual “muscle building” program by itself.
It isn’t just suggesting you add a cable or band exercise to your free weight routine (most everyone already does that). It is actually showing you how to combine the free weights with bands and cables, attempting to create a “best of both worlds” scenario for that hybrid exercise.
For example, one of my favorite exercises is the stiff-legged deadlift. Nilsson attaches a cable to the bar to tax the hamstrings and lower back even more (as well as from a unique angle –which is good).
Another example is the leg curl. The cable machine-based curl provides good resistance at the top but not so much at the bottom. And a leg curl utilizing a dumbbell (held between the feet) does the exact opposite: provides good resistance at the bottom but poor resistance at the top. Nilsson combines the two forms of the exercise to create one that has good resistance throughout the range of motion.
All in all, Nilsson covers (creates) 40 exercises.
He goes through each is great detail as is the Nilsson way. He covers everything from how to best attach the cables or bands to the precise way to adjust your movement to best take advantage of the exercise. Beyond text and pictures, there is a video for each exercise.
If interested in unique but effective exercise, definitely check Nilsson’s “Best Exercises You’ve Never Heard Of” series (my review here).
I’m not really a hugely creative guy when it comes to the exercises I choose. I’ve never really felt the need to venture very far away from the basic mass building exercises (squats, bench press, etc.). Honestly, I probably haven’t ever given it a lot of thought. I never even saw a problem.
Nilsson, obviously, is a different sort. He thinks about these things. And the solutions he sometimes comes up with in Hybrid Training are borderline genius. He solves problems most of us didn’t even realize existed.
This is definitely an interesting ebook. I enjoyed it and learned a lot. I have never trained a lot with bands but Nilsson’s passion for them got to me. After reading it, it is definitely something I will look into.
The Bottom Line
3 of 5 Stars: I like the program. It is well done. I do kind of question its practicality to the average trainer though. The exercise set-up will take some doing and seems best suited for someone with an extensive home gym. For the average trainer it is likely a bit much.
In the right hands, however, I can see Hybrid Training proving valuable. It has the ability to jump-start the training of a seasoned weight-lifting veteran. It is definitely a cure for gym boredom. It also looks to have some advantages to athletes.
I don’t question its ability to improve results. Moving out of the “normal” and into the “Nilsson” can undoubtedly have that effect on the experienced trainer.
I do kind of question its practicality to the average trainer though. The exercise set-up will take some doing and seems best suited for someone with an extensive home gym. For the average trainer it is likely a bit much.
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That May Be Better Options
Nick Nilsson’s
The Best Exercises
You’ve Never Heard Of
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Mike Westerdal’s
Critical Bench
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