“I own and have tried many programs from various sources, but I always end up coming back to Elements. I bought it 10 years ago and thought it was excellent even then, but it has been significantly improved since. It is more flexible to use and integrates well with other GMB programs. I am 71 years old.”
“Some context: currently my training consists of jumping rope (for cardio and agility), a steel mace program (moving better standing, core, lunges and rotation for table tennis) and Elements (general health) with one day of recovery between each. Why I use Elements: my previous experiences showed that groundwork is beneficial for me. The goal is generally to move better: due to hip dysplasia my hip flexibility is rather bad, and despite kettlebell training I experienced that these animal movements somehow suck. So something seems to be missing. While also like the stuff from Original Strength, I wanted a more guided approach which I found with Elements.
So what are the experiences after about 20 sessions (taking the standard course option and 15 minute choices). The movements don't suck any more, I feel more comfortable with them. I also think that it is especially good for hip flexibility (sometimes I also do GMB's hip mobility routine on off-days). The 3-point bridge is now much better: my hip goes up farther and the stability of my right shoulder improved. The exercises in the "Push"-Section feel easier now. Maybe most importantly: I feel better afterwards and especially the next morning. In addition I found this way of training to be different. It seems more like a practice than a workout. This mindset already influences my other workouts.
So summarizing: If you want to build muscles or want to get big cardio effects you are better off with other programs. This should be clear also from GMB's own description. If you want to move better, want to get stronger and more flexible for everyday movement this is a great program which I highly recommend.”
“Elements is the 5th series Ive bought from GMB. What Ive learned is it should have been my first. Its not the mosr fun (that one is Literal Imortality) nor the hardest (Integral Strength), what it is is the basic blocks that all the GMB stuff is these days. Its scalable, so its not easy, it's the foundation. Do this firsr. Some days you get blue shirt energy, some days its red shirt, but you get what you bring. Want a challenge, make it a challenge,.. or if youre feeling light and fluffy, do that. But this ones foundation 101. Not easy,”
“I have most recently used elements to stay active while dealing with a chronic and at times debilitating health condition. As someone who has always been very into training, and can't train how I like to or am used to, this has been huge for me.. Mentally, emotionally, and physically! Elements helps me have structure, feel progress, and reframe how I view my training, while respecting my bodys need for recovery, and inconsistent motivation caused by health issues. I still add a little strength work to it to scrath that old itch, but my training nowadays is at least 50% elements. Prior to this, I'd force myself to do more than I could recover from, and making consistent progress was hard.
Any time I do elements, I find that I just feel better in my body and move better in my day to day life. I am a tradesman who works a physically active job, and I can really feel the difference when I'm doing elements. Having to fit in small spaces, spend lots of times squatting, climbing ladders, etc.”
“I’ve been training consistently for about 13 years, but I still learned quite a few new things from this program. I really like their teaching style, progressions, and overall approach to training. And doing the Bear, Crab, and Monkey in all their different variations is genuinely a lot of fun. :)
That said, after reading the material and other reviews, I had very high hopes that this program might help address some nagging pain from old injuries. Unfortunately, it didn’t, although perhaps that’s also expecting too much from a general training program.
I had also done Mobility and Resilience before Elements, so I may have already gotten most of what I could out of the GMB approach before starting Elements. Having done them in the wrong order, though, I can absolutely say that everyone should start with Elements—which, of course, is a pretty wild take, considering they explicitly say this everywhere. ;)”
“I worked out in gyms when I was younger but fell away from practicing. Then I became alarmed at how much strength and capability I’d lost, so I joined Alpha Posse and completed the 3 levels of Elements: Gradual, General, and Accelerated. I’m 70 years old, and I love the way Elements is designed so I can pace myself and work at just the right intensity for my ability. When I started in 2024, I could barely shuffle my feet a couple of inches in Monkey and Frogger. It’s a thrill now to be able to swing my feet through the full range of each movement. The video shows my progress after 1 year and 2 years of practicing.
The best thing is what Elements has done for my right shoulder, which was very painful after years of abuse in my workplace. When I mentioned it to a physical therapist I was seeing for a knee issue, he said, “probably arthritis,” in a gloomy, hopeless tone. About halfway through Elements General, I realized that using my shoulder wasn’t a big deal anymore. No chronic ache, and it easily moves me through the full range of motion of 3-point Bridge and the locomotions. I especially enjoy the feeling of strength when I push off without pain while doing Backwards Bear.
Actually, my shoulder improvement is the second-best thing. The best thing is what I’m able to keep on doing in regular life: lift and move heavy things around the house and in my garden; get down on the floor to play with the dogs and easily get up again. And withstand the enthusiastic greetings of my large-breed dog friends.”
