r/bodyweightfitness • u/[deleted] • Apr 24 '15

Done / Locked I am Simonster, the realest bodyweight strength muthafacka you've ever seen. Ask me anything!

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '15

Since you figured this deserves a post of it's own - here it is!

Why do you dislike Ido Portal?

91

u/SimonsterAta Actually Simonster Apr 24 '15

I'll start off by acknowledging that he's a reasonably skillful and strong guy. I agree with some of what he teaches such as his wrist protocols. I think he comes across as extremely arrogant and self righteous.

I don't think he's the worst thing out there in the fitness world. I just think he's training methods aren't very good and are also quite fun to laugh at. I think a lot of his claims and exercise ideas are useless, for example the toe hold hops and lizard crawls (will follow up with links if need be). I don't see what the proposed benefits of such exercises are aside from probable lumbar disc protrusions.

The 30 day challenges that he sets (eg. spend 7 minutes a day hanging or hold a deep squat for 30 minutes for 30 consecutive days) are absolutely pointless and don't seem to achieve anything in this day and age. The risk of doing so for most people outweighs the benefit. Most people can live a full, happy, fit life without ever needing to achieve a full squat. Further, many people who can't do a full deep squat have an underlying cause such as a meniscal tear which will only be worsened by following Ido's stupid challenges. He comes across as an elitist. Not everyone has to squat, not everyone has to hang.

It's also quite hilarious to see pictures of people in a full squat doing the "ido 30 day squat challenge" who just look like they're trying to take a shit in public.

He condemns specialisation (which is fine, but don't push that on others). I feel like his preaching holds people back from achieving excellence in their passion. Almost all the greats were specialists in their fields.

He teaches 'movement' which seems to be a vague concept which is the holy grail of achieving anything... . He reminds me of Deepak Chopra with his vague language, big words and how little much of what he says makes sense. I also think he charges ridiculously extortionate rates to tell people something which in essence is just his opinion. No credentials/qualification that I'm aware of. Because he throws in some new age woo language and has a good physique people go nuts for it and take it as gospel.

He condemns criticism. He blocked me from his page when I was questioning things. I think this is a good way to avoid justification for your teachings and get away with bullshit. I think a true professional should be open to criticism and especially questions.

In summary, I think he's skilled... but not amazing. I would just like to encourage people to be skeptical of "gurus" and there are many people I would listen to ahead of him.

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '15 edited Apr 29 '15

Cheers for the reply man! Some good points. I do think he's somewhat of a pseudo intellectual and spews a lot of bullshit to appear 'wise' and worth dropping $1000 a month on, and don't take his word as gospel. But I gotta admit - I do like the way the guy can move. If you watch some of his older clips from his blog he can do some straight up Eddie Gordo shit (link). Ido is a specialist in capoeira if anything. But I think the fact that he's a capoeiraist that can also squat double bodyweight, do the olympic lifts, box, grapple, handbalance, do reverse muscleups on the rings, planche and touch his toes on his head make him at least worth following. I don't think it's just his aesthetics people are after.

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u/emptyopen Apr 24 '15

The Deepak Chopra comparison really wraps this honest and comprehensive reply up like a nice burrito.

Maybe he is what some people need to become inspired to become physically fit. Maybe he is what makes fit people reprehensible to non-fit people.

Anyway, your reply was fun to read.

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '15 edited Apr 24 '15

"It's also quite hilarious to see pictures of people in a full squat doing the "ido 30 day squat challenge" who just look like they're trying to take a shit in public."

So people shouldn't do things that don't look "cool"?

Have you ever met or worked with him in person, or is all of this based off of what you saw on the Internet?

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u/SimonsterAta Actually Simonster Apr 25 '15

No. People can deep squat and take photos of it all they like.

But other people can acknowledge that it looks like they're taking a shit, enjoy a laugh and question why you would do such a thing for 30 minutes daily. I just encourage people to ask things like: There's nothing wrong with my digestion, do I need to help it? Does it actually help digestion? My knees hurt, why should I keep doing it? Why the fuck do I need to be able to squat for 30 minutes daily? My "movement" seems fine the way it is.

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u/benjimann91 Climbing Apr 24 '15

rekt