Tools of the Trade: Power Ranking Gym Implements for the Musclebuilder

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Tools of the Trade: Power Ranking Gym Implements for the Musclebuilder

Just like a painter needs a brush, we Musclebuilders need our implements, our tools to stimulate hypertrophy.

And like most tools in life, some are better suited for the job than others.

Here’s how I rank the major training implements—based on how well they help you stimulate in a way that’s:

  • Targeted (hits the muscle you actually want to hit)
  • Progressive (lets you add weight as you get stronger over time)
  • Safe (doesn’t wreck your joints or lead to injury)

Let’s roll.

1. Machines and Cables

I, like many, used to scoff at these.

“Machines?! Cables?! Nah, I need to keep it FUNCTIONAL.” Whatever that even meant—because our early ancestors had gyms, right? 😆

But here’s the truth: machines and cables are incredible for targeting the muscles, keeping constant tension, and reducing wear and tear on the joints—especially as you get older and wiser.

Machines these days are better than those of the past. They allow more natural movement, while allowing you lock in, zone in, and dial in your form. You can also go to failure without a spotter, and there’s usually plenty of weight on the stack to get stronger.

Don’t sleep on ‘em brother.

2. Dumbbells

I love dumbbells. Here’s why:

  • You can get full range of motion on most lifts
  • Each side works independently = balanced strength
  • Joints can move naturally = safer and more ergonomic

The drawbacks?

Once you get heavy, getting dumbbells into position (think chest press) can be a pain. And for leg training, they’re just not ideal—you’ll tap out your grip long before your legs are cooked.

Still, they’re versatile, effective, and a staple in any smart program.

3. Barbells

The barbell lets you move a ton of weight. That’s its main superpower.

But it comes with tradeoffs:

  • It forces bilateral movement—your dominant side will likely take over.
  • Not very joint-friendly, especially for long-term use.
  • Less range of motion on some lifts (looking at you, bench press).
  • You need a rack and a bench to get the most benefit.

I still use barbells, but not as often as I used to. I see them as powerful tools for pure strength, but not so much for the targeted, safe overload we want to stimulate hypertrophy after the age of 30.

4. Kettlebells

I love kettlebells—for athleticism, conditioning, and unilateral strength.

But for stimulating muscle growth?

Eh.

They usually jump in large weight increments, they’re tough on the wrists for high-rep sets, and their asymmetrical shape makes precision targeting tricky.

Great for GPP (general physical preparation). Not so great for hypertrophy.

💡 Tip: Grab a couple kettlebells and use them for musclebuilding-friendly cardio. Swings, snatches, and clean and jerks done for high reps will jack up your heart rate and make for a wicked good time.

5. Resistance Bands

Bands are awesome for warm-ups, activation, and rehab. But on their own? Not ideal for stimulating muscle growth.

Why?

  • It’s tough to train legs effectively
  • You can’t measure load precisely
  • The resistance isn’t constant—it increases as the band stretches
  • They can snap (never pull one toward your face. Trust me.)

That said—pairing bands with free weights? Now that’s a way to spice up a stale routine or break through a plateau.

When You Don’t Have All the Tools

It’s worth noting—you might not always have access to every piece of equipment on this list.

That doesn’t mean you wait around for perfect conditions.

Musclebuilding doesn’t happen in a fantasy land. It happens in the real world—where gyms close, life gets chaotic, and sometimes all you’ve got is a pull-up bar, a couple of bands, or your own damn bodyweight.

In those moments, you don’t complain. You adapt and overcome.

That’s the Musclebuilder way.

You make do with what you have, and you keep building. Because this isn’t about luxury—it’s about results. And results come to those who refuse to quit.

Final Thoughts

What’s funny is if I wrote this list six years ago, it would’ve looked a lot different.

But that’s growth. You train smarter. You stop chasing trends. You focus on what actually works.

Now it’s your turn, brother. This is my training-tested guide. You need to get out there and test-drive different implements, build your tool chest, and find out what works for you. Build your own power ranking list, and get heavy.

Brick by brick.

-Brickwall

Why I’m a Musclebuilder

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Why I’m a Musclebuilder

From the Brickyard | Subject: This is the rise of the Musclebuilder

——

For years, I trained hard—but aimless.

Kinda muscular. Kinda strong. Kinda fit.

I dabbled in everything, hoping it would add up to something.

But it didn’t.

I was a generalist.

Always sweating…but never building.

Moving a lot…but going nowhere.

And then it hit me—what I really wanted wasn’t more variety.

It was muscle.

I wanted a physique that spoke without words—that meant something.

Big. Aesthetic. Strong. Capable. Commanding. Masculine.

But what do you call that?

I wasn’t a bodybuilder. I had no interest in the extreme dieting, posing routines, spray tans, and stage lights. That world wasn’t mine.

And I damn sure wasn’t some casual gym bro just “getting a pump” a couple times a week while scrolling TikTok between sets.

I was in limbo.

I had no name…no identity.

Until I carved one out:

Musclebuilder

A Musclebuilder doesn’t chase trophies or trends.

We’re not here to play fitness games or ride fad diets.

We build muscle for health, for strength, for legacy, for LIFE.

This is about aesthetics, yes, but it’s also deeper than aesthetics.

It’s about reclaiming the primal fire our ancestors carried.

The kind of size and strength you don’t just see—you feel.

In your bones. In your blood. In how you move through the world.

“Muscle is the armor of life. We don’t just wear it—we earn it.”

A Musclebuilder is built, not born.

Not by chance—but by choice.

Every rep, every meal, every second of sleep is a brick in the wall we’re building.

And it never stops. Because life doesn’t stop.

We’re not looking for a 12-week transformation.

We’re not chasing summer abs.

We’re forging a body that’s ready for anything—today, tomorrow, and decades from now.

No shortcuts. No gimmicks. No compromises.

Just discipline. Intensity. And purpose.

This is what I live.

And if you’re tired of floating between extremes…if you’re sick of not having a name for what you really are…

Welcome to the brotherhood.

This is the rise of the Musclebuilder.

Brick by brick.

-Brickwall

Sunday Sendoff #2: Buckle Up or Get Wrecked

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Brickwall's Sunday Sendoff

Want to live and lift longer? Want to keep training, fathering, building, and kicking ass into your 80s and beyond?

Start by doing this one thing every time you get in a vehicle:

Click that damn seat belt.

It’s free, takes two seconds, and it could save your life—or the life of someone you love.

The difference between walking away from a crash and never walking again often comes down to that tiny click.

This isn’t just about you, brother. It’s about setting the standard. Be the man who doesn’t let anyone ride unbelted. Your lady. Your kids. Your friends. Everyone clicks in—or the car doesn’t move.

Don’t die doing 45 in a Corolla because you wanted to look cool.

Click in. Lead by example. Lift for life.

Read more at the NHTSA

The Week’s Post Loadout

6/23/25 | How Gaining Muscle Can Make Your Life Better (In Every Damn Way That Counts) | Foundations

Another Brickwall cornerstone banger, this is why we build muscle, and why it matters.

6/26/25 | Where to Train: Your Training Ground Is Wherever You Make It | Gym and Training

We dive into finding the best training grounds.

6/28/25 | Jupiter Gains: The Gravity of Growth | The Brickpile

An off-the-planet call to embrace the resistance and build yourself up.

Something to Ponder

What are you tolerating that you know you shouldn’t? What are you letting slide that you should’ve already handled? Why haven’t you? And how is it costing you—your edge, your happiness, your livelihood?

See You In the Arena

This week is just about over. Next week is just about here. Let’s keep building.

Brick by brick.

-Brickwall

Jupiter Gains: The Gravity of Growth

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Jupiter Gains: The Gravity of Growth

From the Brickyard | Subject: You don’t have to leave Earth to level up

——

Ever wonder what you’d weigh on Jupiter?

Probably not. But I did.

At 200 lbs on Earth, I’d clock in at a crushing 528 pounds on Jupiter. That’s like wearing a 328-lb weighted vest 24/7.

Walking? Brutal leg day.

Getting off the couch? Core crusher.

Climbing stairs? World-class GPP.

Sure—Jupiter’s a gas giant. No solid ground. No oxygen. No gym.

Doesn’t matter.

Because Jupiter’s not the destination.

The resistance is.

And here’s the thing—you don’t need a spaceship to chase this pressure.

You’ve got the weights, so you’ve got the choice to get heavier—every day.

So no, we’re not heading to Jupiter.

We’re bringing Jupiter to the gym.

Strap in. Stack plates. Embrace the resistance.

Let’s get heavy.

Brick by brick.

-Brickwall

Where to Train: Your Training Ground Is Wherever You Make It

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Where to Train: Your Training Ground Is Wherever You Make It

From the Brickyard | Subject: Find somewhere to train…then train!

——

You’ve got three roads to an Iron Temple:

Build a home gym.

Get a commercial gym membership.

Or mix the two and forge your own training ground hybrid.

Which one’s best? That depends on you—your lifestyle, personality, and goals. There’s no “right” answer. But there is a right answer for you.

Ask Yourself:

Where do I feel most comfortable throwing down?

Where can I train the way I want to train?

Where will I enjoy it enough to keep showing up?

Where can I be the most consistent?

Where can I listen to kickass heavy metal and punk rock?

Let’s face it—this isn’t just about picking a place. It’s about building or finding an environment where you can grow. Because consistency beats novelty. And the best setup is the one that keeps you coming back for more.

Commercial Gym: Pros & Cons

Pros:

Access to tons of equipment.

Buzzing atmosphere and high energy.

Built-in social vibe and camaraderie.

Amenities like saunas, pools, and showers.

Cons:

Monthly dues (they can add up).

Crowds during peak hours.

Germs. Sweat. Questionable locker room etiquette.

You’ve got to commute, and wear clothes.

Home Gym: Pros & Cons

Pros:

No waiting, no crowds, no distractions—just you and the iron.

One-time equipment cost, then you’re good for years.

Scream, grunt, blast music—nobody cares.

Ultra convenient. Walk 10 feet and you’re training.

Wear what you want. Or don’t.

Cons:

Limited equipment (unless you’ve got deep pockets and a big garage).

You are the atmosphere. No hype crew.

Harder to “flip the switch” when you’re already at home.

Upfront cost and space commitment.

Easier to get distracted (kids, chores, fridge).

The Verdict?

There is no verdict. This ain’t court—it’s the gym. And the best gym is the one you’ll actually use.

Train where you’re most likely to show up. Train where it lights a fire under your ass. If that’s at home, cool. If it’s the gym, great. If it’s both—welcome to the hybrid life.

Bottom line:

Don’t overthink the setting. Just show up and train hard. The weights don’t care where you lift it—only that you do.

Brick by brick.

-Brickwall

How Gaining Muscle Can Make Your Life Better (In Every Damn Way That Counts)

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How Gaining Muscle Can Make Your Life Better (In Every Damn Way That Counts)

From the Brickyard | Subject: More muscle = more life

——

Most people think muscle’s just for show.

Just for the mirror. Just for flexing.

They’re wrong. Dead wrong.

Muscle is more than aesthetics—it’s a foundation for a better life.

Brick by brick, rep by rep, it upgrades everything you touch.

Let’s break it down.

1. You’ll Look Better (and Feel It)

Let’s not kid ourselves—looking good matters.

When you build muscle, you fill out your frame, improve your posture, and carry yourself like a man who gives a damn.

People will look at you like you mean business…and you will mean business.

Confidence doesn’t come from a quote. It comes from putting in the work—and seeing it in the mirror.

2. You’ll Think Better

Musclebuilding isn’t just physical. It’s mental warfare.

Every workout trains your focus, sharpens your discipline, and rewires your brain for toughness.

What’s more, studies have shown that resistance training reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms, especially in younger and middle-aged adults (Gordon et al., 2020). That’s real mental armor.

3. You’ll Be Harder to Kill

Literally.

Muscle mass is a strong predictor of survival as you age. In fact, studies have shown that more muscle is linked to lower mortality, especially in older adults (Srikanthan & Karlamangla, 2014).

Muscle also reduces your risk of injury and enhances recovery. Stronger muscles protect your joints, stabilize your movement, and support your bones (Hunter et al., 2004).

And here’s the kicker: movement and muscle preserve your fire across your lifespan (Rolland et al., 2008).

Want to live longer—and better? Build your armor.

4. You’ll Be Stronger (Physically and Otherwise)

Strength changes how you interact with the world.

Suddenly, nothing feels too heavy.

Not your job. Not parenting. Not the day.

You become useful. Capable. A protector. A doer. An ass-kicker.

And that seeps into how you parent, lead, work, and live.

A strong back carries more than weight—it carries responsibility.

5. You’ll Reclaim Something Ancient

Our ancestors didn’t hit the gym—but they were built.

Built from labor, hunts, battle, and purpose.

Today, most men are soft and shrinking—physically and mentally.

Musclebuilding is our answer, our modern rite of passage, our revolt.

It’s a return to what made men dangerous, dependable, and deeply human.

The Takeaway:

Muscle isn’t a vanity project—it’s a life project.

It improves your confidence, your focus, your health, your capability, your presence, and your damn quality of life.

You’re not just stacking size.

You’re stacking worth—as a man, as a father, as a force to be reckoned with.

Build muscle. Not just for the gains—but for the life it unlocks.

Be a Musclebuilder. Build your physique. Build your legacy.

Brick by brick.

-Brickwall

Sources

Wolfe RR. The underappreciated role of muscle in health and disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;84(3):475–482. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16960159/

Srikanthan P, Karlamangla AS. Muscle mass index as a predictor of longevity in older adults. Am J Med. 2014;127(6):547–553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.02.007

Gordon BR et al. Resistance exercise training for anxiety and worry symptoms among young adults. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):17548. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-74442-2

Hunter GR, McCarthy JP, Bamman MM. Effects of resistance training on older adults. Sports Med. 2004;34(5):329–348. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200434050-00005

Rolland Y, Czerwinski S, Abellan Van Kan G, et al. Sarcopenia: its assessment, etiology, pathogenesis, consequences and future perspectives. J Nutr Health Aging. 2008;12(7):433–450. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02982704

Sunday Sendoff #1: Muscle Takes Root In Patience

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Brickwall's Sunday Sendoff

It’s finally warm out, and I’ve been spending more time in nature—hiking, breathing, listening.

And it hit me:

Nature works slow…but steady.

Take the oak tree. It can take 40+ years to become a towering beast.

No shortcuts. No gimmicks. Just time and unwavering growth.

That’s exactly how musclebuilding works.

If you’re walking into the gym thinking you’ll look like Sandow in two weeks, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

You’re a seedling. Or even a sapling. And that’s okay—because every oak tree started the same way.

Train hard. Eat right. Sleep deep. Recover well. Stay consistent.

Day by day. Week by week. Month by month. Year by year.

One day, you’ll look down—and you’ll be a damn oak among shrubs.

The Week’s Post Loadout*

*With two from last week, as Sunday Sendoff wasn’t a thing last week.

6/12/25 | Building Muscle – What’s Going On Under the Hood? Why Can We Build Muscle? And How to Effectively Build It | Foundations

A Brickwall cornerstone banger, we dive into the what, why, and how of building muscle.

6/14/25 | I Ditched My Smart Watch for a Simpler, Less Techy Casio | The Brickpile

Why ditching my smartwatch for a simple Casio was a breath of fresh air.

6/16/25 | Every Training Session Is a Championship Game | Mindset and Strategy

Why you need to take every training session seriously like it’s a championship game.

6/19/25 | First Rule: Don’t Get Hurt – How to Keep Training for Life | Gym and Training

How to stay in the game and keep making gains…for life

6/21/25 | Ranking All Three BTTF Movies (and Why Part I Is Close to Perfection) | The Brickpile

I rank the trilogy as a gigantic fan.

Something to Ponder

You train with intention, but do you live with it? More specifically, did you choose where you live, or did someone else?

Where you live affects every area of your life…is it a good fit for you?

See You In the Arena

This week is just about over. Next week is just about here. Let’s keep building.

Brick by brick.

-Brickwall

Ranking All Three BTTF Movies (and Why Part I Is Close to Perfection)

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BTTF Fan Art

I’m a gigantic BTTF fan. Always have been. Always will be.

All three movies bring something to the table, but like anything worth ranking—some rise above the rest. So here’s my totally correct (and maybe controversial) fan ranking of the legendary time-travel trilogy.

#1: Part I – The Undisputed King

The origin story hits hard.

Bob Gale came up with the idea after finding his dad’s old high school yearbook and wondering: Would we have even been friends? That’s the seed that bloomed into a movie about legacy, identity, and whether we can ever truly understand where we come from.

It’s easy to see why this landed. We’ve all wondered what our parents were like when they were our age. What were the pressures? The culture? Could we have survived in their world? Did they even lift? 😆

Part I answers those questions in the most fun way possible—by throwing Marty into 1955 and making him dodge his own mom’s romantic advances, bond with his not-so-alpha dad, and try not to erase his existence.

It’s tight, funny, layered, and unforgettable. Magic from start to finish.

#2: Part II – The Chaotic Middle Child (But Still a Banger)

Let’s be honest—Part II is a mess. But it’s the good kind of mess. The creative chaos kind.

Doc warns against messing with the future…then immediately convinces Marty to go mess with the future. Classic.

In this one, we time-hop through:

  • 2015 (hoverboards and self-lacing Nikes)
  • 1985A (Biff’s hellish casino-run dystopia)
  • 1955 again (yes, more Biff shenanigans)

You even get multiple Martys, multiple Docs, and a sports almanac that basically becomes the McGuffin of every gambler’s fantasy.

What makes this one resonate—especially with guys like us—is the “what if” factor. What if you could get a glimpse of your future? Would you use it? Would it corrupt you? Would you do the work—or try to game the system?

Also, I swear this movie is two full movies jammed into one (I actually read somewhere that it was supposed to be two movies). And I’m here for it.

#3: Part III – Fun, But Not Top Tier

Part III isn’t bad—it’s just not Part I or II.

We’re in 1885 now, and while it’s cool to see Hill Valley as a dusty Western town, it lacks the punch of the others. Fewer familiar characters. Slower pacing. And let’s be real—the Doc/Clara romance just doesn’t hit emotionally (I could do without the love stories in most movies, actually…just give me the facts and explosions!).

And the time-traveling steam train at the end? Ehhh. I get that it’s whimsical, but it strays into too whimsical.

Still, it wraps the trilogy well, and there’s something admirable about ending with a bit of optimism. The past is behind us. The future is unwritten. You can make it a good one (or a bad one if you don’t get your shit together). You’re in control, and that’s Musclebuilder through and through.

Final Verdict:

  1. Part I – Classic. Timeless. Near-perfect.
  2. Part II – Wild, messy, fascinating.
  3. Part III – Still worth watching, just not as memorable.

How Would You Rank Them?

And if you could time-travel, would you go back to fix the past…or forward to cash in on what’s coming? Food for thought.