The Stronger By Science Podcast

Greg breaks down everything you need to know about basal metabolic rate.

In this episode, Pak and Milo break down the research around how to warm-up for maximum muscle growth and strength. What should your warm-up strategy be? Finally, they cover some questions asked by listeners.

In this episode, Greg, Pak, and Milo cover the research on warming-up. Does warming-up reduce injury risk? Does stretching help you stay healthy? How solid is the evidence for warming up?

In this episode, Pak and Milo discuss popular muscle growth beliefs that are often touted as game changers but, in reality, are weaker than they seem.

In this episode, Pak, Greg, and Milo gear up for another round of Battle Royale debates. They cover aggressive fat loss, cheat reps vs strict reps, whether studies in beginners should apply to advanced lifters, exercise stability for building muscle, optimal doesn't exist, experimenting for best progress, science vs broscience, the pump, and the overhead press being the one true lift.

In this episode, Greg, Pak & Milo go over the current literature on bulking and whether you actually need to bulk to maximize muscle growth.

In this episode, Pak and Milo discuss time-efficient training strategies for hypertrophy and strength, debunking the myth that you need to spend countless hours in the gym to see significant gains.

In this episode, Pak and Milo break down some of the research surrounding how to powerbuild. Can you grow muscle and get stronger simultaneously? How can you best do both? What are the differences between hypertrophy training and strength training?

From back training anecdotes to practical recommendations, this episode has got your....back when it comes to back training (apologies for the pun). In this podcast episode, the SBS team goes over back training, including why the current literature directly examining changes in the back musculature is so limited.

In this podcast episode, Greg, Pak, and Milo enter the impromptu-debate arena for the first SBS Battle Royale. Mental gymnastics, science, drama, and the signature SBS banter you all know and love are all packed into a pilot episode that will either be remembered forever or forgotten in a few weeks.

Greg, Pak, and Milo review the literature on lifting for mental health. Does exercising improve your mood? How long does this last? What about lifting? Can we improve our long-term mental health through physical activity and lifting weights?

In this episode, Milo, Greg, and Pak sit down to discuss the concept of stretch-mediated hypertrophy, from the foundational animal studies, to human stretching studies, to present day hype around stretch-mediated hypertrophy and lengthened partials. They also discuss how they're currently implementing lengthened training into their workout routines.

In this episode, Greg, Pak, and Milo delve into research on sleep's impact on lifting and sports performance, recount sleep-related anecdotes from their college days, and explore strategies to counteract poor sleep when enhancing sleep quality is not feasible. Finally, the team addresses several questions from the SBS social media communities.

In this episode, Greg, Pak, and Milo take a deep dive in the research around sleep and health, from sleep duration to the latest data on sleep regularity and shift work.

In this episode, Greg, Pak, and Milo tackle the research around body fat spot reduction. First, they tackle the research on various ointments, creams, garments, and whole body vibration. Following this, they discuss the evidence for spot reduction as an adaptation to different exercise types such as endurance and resistance training.

In the second and final part of the extreme volume for hypertrophy series, Greg, Pak, and Milo delve into the research on volume for hypertrophy. They review the remainder of the evidence and practical concerns, then answer audience questions.

In this episode, the SBS team begins their deep dive into the data around really high training volumes and hypertrophy, going over the history of training volume practices and research while also taking an in-depth look at the latest high volume study by Enes et al.

In this Q&A episode of the podcast, Greg and Lyndsey answer questions about how to research a new subject, the effect of diabetes or insulin resistance on hypertrophy, how a pump might affect moment arms in movements, how much is too much isolation work, and more. They also give an update on the future of the podcast and announce that Dr. Pak and Dr. Milo Wolf are teaming up with Stronger By Science.

In this episode, Greg sits down with Dr. Milo Wolf to discuss long muscle length training. Long-length partials are a hot topic, and Dr. Wolf is one of the folks doing research in this area and popularizing long-length partials as a training method to increase muscle growth.

In this episode, Greg is joined by Dr. Patroklos Androulakis-Korakakis (Dr. Pak) to discuss his research on minimum effective dose training, and his recent narrative review on optimizing exercise technique for muscle growth. While this episode does dig into the research, the lads tried to keep a clear focus on actionable takeaways to help you improve your training results.

Greg was recently on the Data Driven Strength podcast to chat about their meta-regression on proximity to failure and hypertrophy. In the episode, Greg, Zac, and Josh discuss what we know about the mechanisms underpinning muscle growth and the weaknesses of the "effective reps" model. We think it's a conversation worth sharing, so we're re-releasing it in our feeds today as a special bonus episode.

In this episode, Greg and Lyndsey sit down for a discussion about cortisol with Beth Skwarecki, the senior health editor at Lifehacker. The dangers of high cortisol are a persistent topic of conversation in social media content, so the discussion focuses on the types of claims that are being made, the dubious methods of self-diagnosis and “treatment” being recommended, and the potential risks and dangers associated with letting social media convince you that you’re basically an endocrinologist.

In this Q&A episode, Greg and Lyndsey answer listener questions about how close you should be to your macro targets, the relationship between muscle size and muscle strength, advice for minimalistic workout routines, training to failure, and the benefits of CrossFit. To submit your question for a future episode, email a 30- to 60-second voice memo to podcast@strongerbyscience.com.

In the final episode of our micronutrient series, Greg and Lyndsey discuss which micronutrients are most worth monitoring and good food sources for the micronutrients you may be under-consuming. Then, we talk more broadly about why you shouldn’t allow a focus on micronutrients specifically to detract from the pursuit of a generally healthy diet.

In this episode (which is Part 2 of our micronutrient series), Greg and Lyndsey discuss nutrient targets: where they come from, what they mean, and how to think about them. They also talk about the relative imprecision of micronutrient tracking, why micronutrient content can differ so much within a single food, and why it can be challenging to track your micronutrient intake in the first place.

Micronutrients deserve more attention. There's very little content about micronutrients, and the content that *is* out there is often full of fear-mongering or wild claims about wonder drugs and super foods. In this episode, we aim to provide a solid foundation for building a better understanding of micronutrients. Along the way, Greg also shares some fun facts that prove that micronutrients are way more interesting than you may have thought. This is the first part of a micronutrient series we'll be doing on the podcast.

The industry for pre-sleep supplements, foods, and products is booming. But what actually works, and how much does our diet actually impact our sleep quality and quantity? Greg and Lyndsey talk about how pre-sleep products are marketed, break down the science behind popular sleep supplements (like melatonin, magnesium, lavender, and more), and discuss how macronutrient distributions influence sleep. They also answer a few listener questions about pre-sleep protein and about the impact of eating meals right before bedtime.

Does creatine cause hair loss? What about bloating? In this episode, Greg and Lyndsey bust myths and misconceptions about creatine, one of the most popular supplements on the market. Greg also explains how creatine actually works to increase muscle growth and discusses myths related to creatine dosing (is 5g per day enough?). Then, they play a few listener calls about creatine and answer questions about creatine's impact on individual genetic potential for muscularity, different forms of creatine, and the interaction between caffeine and creatine.

Greg and Lyndsey dive into the history, conspiracies, science, and media coverage of aspartame to present a thorough overview of the recent WHO reports linking aspartame and cancer risk. Is this one of the longest "podcast episodes" ever? Probably. But it's packed with fascinating history, relevant research breakdowns and media criticism, and takeaways for interpreting and navigating our society's abundance of health warnings.

In this episode, Greg and Lyndsey delve into the history and science behind vibration plates. Are there legitimate, scientific purposes for this trendy piece of equipment, or is it just a total scam? Then, they discuss a new study that investigated the impact of heavy resistance training on pregnancy and postpartum health outcomes. That discussion leads to a larger conversation about how exercise guidelines evolve.

Fireside chats are a collection of conversational, off-topic episodes hosted by Greg Nuckols. In this Fireside Chat, Greg sits down with a special guest: his business partner and wife Lyndsey Nuckols. They discuss who's a better cook, their most underwhelming talents, trolley problems, their recent foray into reality TV, and their experiences transitioning into tech product people.

While we continue preparing to get our next season up and running, we’re replaying Episode 77, which is all about troubleshooting weight loss plateaus. In this episode from the SBSPOD archive, Eric and Greg discuss topics including metabolic adaptation, energy compensation, and a long list of factors that may lead us to overestimate energy expenditure or underestimate energy intake. The discussion yields several practical, evidence-based tips for overcoming challenges and breaking through plateaus when pursuing a weight loss goal.

In today’s episode, Eric Trexler discusses the relationships between sleep, health, and fitness. First, he discusses how sleep impairments can negatively impact health-related outcomes and impede progress toward a variety of fitness-related goals. After that, he describes a number of practical strategies to get better sleep and to mitigate the negative impacts of insufficient sleep.

Whether you’re trying to gain, lose, or maintain weight, strategic management of hunger and appetite can come in handy. In today’s episode, Eric Trexler discusses a variety of practical strategies for managing hunger and appetite to support a more successful and enjoyable dieting experience.

In today’s episode, Eric takes a comprehensive look at how physical activity and cardiovascular exercise can impact general health and weight management. Specific topics of discussion include non-exercise physical activity, exercise snacks, step counts, appetite, exercise energy compensation, interval versus steady-state cardio, the interference effect, and practical ways to incorporate non-exercise physical activity or structured cardio into your daily or weekly schedule.

In today’s episode, Eric responds to a few pieces of listener feedback, then covers two popular nutrition topics. In the first, he discusses the utility of calorie counting or diet tracking, and how to make the process as feasible and effective as possible. After that, he provides a thorough overview of mindful eating, while addressing some common misconceptions along the way. While many people think that mindful eating is the same thing as intuitive eating, or that mindful eating is incompatible with weight loss goals or diet tracking, neither of these popular perspectives are true. In reality, mindful eating and diet tracking can be used synergistically when pursuing a variety of goals, including weight loss. Today’s episode discusses how to use both of these evidence-based strategies in a complementary fashion.

In today’s episode, Eric Trexler continues his discussion about some of the advantages and disadvantages of popular diets, and explores some common misconceptions in the world of nutrition. Topics include low-fat diets, the Ornish diet, vegetarian diets, vegan diets, cleanses, detoxes, single-food diets, time-restricted feeding, intermittent fasting, the Mediterranean diet, seed oils, and the DASH diet.

In today’s episode, Eric Trexler discusses some of the advantages and disadvantages of popular diets, and explores some common misconceptions in the world of nutrition. Topics include low-carb diets, the Zone diet, the South Beach diet, the glycemic index, continuous glucose monitors, gluten-free diets, “eating clean,” ketogenic diets, the Atkins diet, the Paleo diet, and the carnivore diet.

Today’s show is a continuation of our series leading into the New Year. Weight loss is one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions, so this episode explores and answers some of the most common questions about weight loss diets.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric discuss a new study reporting that 85% of highly cited meta-analyses in the field of strength and conditioning research contain at least one statistical error. The conversation covers common meta-analysis errors, how to spot them, and how to critically interpret meta-analyses. After that, Eric presents a segment on motivation and behavior change. He begins by reviewing evidence-based goal setting strategies, then discusses how we can leverage self-determination theory to get motivated to pursue our goals, and how we can lean on the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation, behavior) model to change behaviors in accordance with our goals. This leads to a unified, comprehensive, evidence-based model that covers goal setting, motivation, and behavior change from start to finish.

In preparation for the new year (and the resolutions that come with it), we’re replaying Episode 71, which is all about goal setting and behavior change. In this episode from the SBSPOD archive, Eric and Greg have a long, evidence-based conversation about the research on setting effective goals and successfully changing health behaviors. The discussion yields several evidence-based tips for setting better goals and maximally supporting your ability to achieve them.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric field listener questions about exercise selection for general strength purposes, testing protocols for overall fitness levels, vegan diets, optimizing exercise selection and execution based on anatomical principles, incline bench pressing, deadlifting on an uneven floor, and work-life balance.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric field listener questions about dietary fat targets, future competition plans, ergogenic effects of music, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), statistics-focused content, and the circulation of misinformation and disinformation in the world of health, fitness, and nutrition.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric field listener questions about insulin, maintenance phases, controversial fitness opinions, maintaining muscle while cutting, the effects of NSAIDs on training adaptations, deltoid training, ashwagandha supplementation, content creation, social media, and the best gauge of overall strength.

After Eric’s first earthquake experience, today’s episode begins with a brief discussion of natural disasters. That’s followed by Greg’s segment, which covers popular weight loss advice that may do more harm than good. While most of the ideas that catch on and get popular originate with bodybuilders and physique athletes, they are often misapplied when generalized to other populations (that is, most people). Finally, Eric presents a segment that addresses a very common question: what is the healthiest diet? This yields a discussion about evidence-based guidelines for structuring a diet that supports general health, wellbeing, and longevity, while addressing some common misconceptions along the way.

Today’s episode begins with a discussion about an ambitious experiment in the world of academic publishing, and the real-world costs of striving for bench press excellence. After that, Greg presents a segment about partial range-of-motion (ROM) training for strength outcomes. Greg digs into the available research about whether or not partial reps can be used to facilitate greater strength gains, and provides practical recommendations about when and how to incorporate this style of training. That’s followed by Eric’s segment that tackles a fairly widespread misconception about protein requirements for muscle growth. Many people believe that 1.6 g/kg/day is a very clear minimum requirement for supporting hypertrophy, and that falling a little bit short of this target severely limits muscle growth. However, the data suggest otherwise. He explores the available research and discusses some protein target recommendations for people who are prioritizing muscle growth or retention.

Today’s episode begins with a discussion about the very predictable scandal that rocked Fat Bear Week. After that, Greg presents a segment about accommodating resistance (that is, training with bands and chains). Greg digs into the available research and explains why accommodating resistance is beneficial for power development and explosive muscle actions, while failing to meaningfully impact maximal strength. That’s followed by Eric’s segment that clears up some misconceptions about the actual net energy cost of exercise. He explores how physical activity impacts total daily energy expenditure, describes some key characteristics that influence inter-individual differences in the net energy cost of exercise, and explains why and how to estimate the net energy cost of exercise using a new tool developed by the Stronger By Science team.

In today's episode, Greg and Eric pat themselves on the back for breaking the 100 episode barrier, in addition to sharing their picks for Fat Bear Week 2022. After that, Greg encroaches on Eric’s territory with a segment about body composition assessments. In the segment, Greg discusses what common body composition devices actually measure, how accurate (or inaccurate) they are for individuals (rather than groups), and some better strategies for monitoring progress toward fitness goals. After that, Eric steers others toward the Road to Enlightenment with a segment on the fitness-related applications of mindfulness and meditation. He specifically looks at the research evaluating mindfulness-based interventions for mental fatigue, sleep, pain management, and eating behaviors. Eric also discusses scenarios in which mindfulness-based interventions might be contraindicated, and provides some resources for people who want to give meditation or other mindfulness-based interventions a shot.

In today's episode, Eric briefly addresses some feedback and responses to his previous article and segment about reverse dieting. After that, it’s all about differences in gains between individuals. Greg begins by exploring research that describes the degree to which training-induced improvements in strength, muscularity, and aerobic fitness vary from person to person. After that, Greg leans on the available research to provide evidence-based advice about what you can actually do about it, particularly if you suspect that you’re experiencing below-average gains.

Mechanical tension, muscle damage, and metabolic stress are often viewed as the key stimuli for muscle hypertrophy. A new study asserts that mechanical activation of fast-twitch muscle fibers is the strongest determinant of muscle hypertrophy, which suggests that mechanical tension is the most noteworthy stimulus for muscle growth. This is an intuitive idea, but Greg’s segment explains why the results of this study fail to support the conclusions that were stated in the paper (and shared widely on social media). After that, Eric presents a segment that’s all about food selection. As flexible dieting and “IIFYM” continue to gain popularity, it’s indisputable that dieters can succeed using a virtually limitless variety of food sources, as long as they (approximately) hit their calorie or macro targets consistently. While it’s very true that dieters enjoy a great deal of flexibility in their food choices, this doesn’t mean that food source selection is irrelevant or inconsequential. In Eric’s segment, he discusses some evidence-based guidance for making food choices to facilitate a smoother dieting experience.

It’s very common to assume that group-level findings from research will reliably predict how you (or your clients) will respond to a particular training strategy, but that’s not always the case. In today’s episode, Greg discusses the substantial amount of inter-individual variability observed in responses to training interventions, and how to navigate training decisions in light of these hard-to-predict differences among individuals. After that, Eric discusses protein quality: what it is, what affects it, and how much it does (or doesn’t) matter from a practical perspective. His segment summarizes the research directly comparing a wide range of protein sources, and provides practical strategies for protein source selection in vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous diets.

Today’s episode is a celebration of the one-year anniversary of launching MacroFactor. It was recorded with a live YouTube audience on September 16, 2022. In this episode, Greg and Eric answer some viewers’ questions that are specific to MacroFactor, but they also answer several unrelated questions about a wide range of training and nutrition topics. If you’re a MacroFactor user, this episode is a great opportunity to join in on the celebration and get some previews about what the future has in store for MacroFactor. If you aren’t, this episode is still worth a listen, as it offers plenty of evidence-based training and nutrition information.

We’re officially back for a brand new season! In today’s episode, Greg discusses the research behind how resistance training range of motion impacts muscle growth, with a special focus on stretch-mediated hypertrophy. After that, Eric dives deep into the topic of reverse dieting, which is often touted as a remedy for metabolic adaptation and a strategy to facilitate easier and more sustainable weight loss. However, this popular approach was originally driven by industry marketing rather than scientific evidence. Eric’s segment explores the actual research related to reverse dieting, which tells a much different story than the hyped-up anecdotes you’ll see on social media. He also explains why reverse dieting often appears to work in the short term while falling flat in the long term, and why a simple maintenance phase is a better option than reverse dieting.

Fireside chats are a collection of conversational, off-topic episodes hosted by Greg Nuckols. In Fireside Chat #13, Greg sits down with Eric Trexler to discuss cooking, leisure time activities (other than exercise), organization and efficiency tips, the loneliness epidemic, and a bunch of other miscellaneous topics.

Fireside chats are a collection of conversational, off-topic episodes hosted by Greg Nuckols. In Fireside Chat #12, Greg sits down with Eric Trexler to discuss celebrity look-alikes, facial hair, student loan forgiveness, pivotal life moments, least favorite jobs, music, movies, trolley problems, the Road to Enlightenment, and a bunch of other miscellaneous topics.

Fireside chats are a collection of conversational, off-topic episodes hosted by Greg Nuckols. In Fireside Chat #11, Greg sits down with Eric Trexler to discuss freak athletes, pets, luxury items, alternative careers, podcast recommendations, and a bunch of other miscellaneous topics.

In today’s episode, Eric kicks things off by answering two questions from listeners. The first is about proper mixing and storage of creatine, and the second is about rediscovering and restoring motivation to work out. Next, Greg provides a research-packed answer to a listener’s question about whether or not there is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to weight loss and walking. After that, Eric discusses a few issues in the world of research and academic publishing that should impact the way we interpret some scientific research papers. Finally, to play out the show, Eric provides some more recommendations for music to train to.

In today’s episode, Eric shares a sauna update that explores the effects of sauna bathing on exercise recovery and training adaptations. Next, Greg presents a research review segment that covers the surprisingly positive effects of plyometric exercises on muscle hypertrophy. After that, Eric answers a listener’s questions related to intuitive eating, mindful eating, and health at every size. Finally, to play out the show, Eric revisits the topic of cultural life in Ohio.

In today’s episode, Eric discusses his newest article that describes the drawbacks of “cheat meals” while recommending some more advisable alternatives (11:26). After that, Greg presents a Research Review about the time course of detraining when you take some time off from the gym (41:27). Finally, Eric answers a listener’s question about the potential health benefits of sauna bathing (1:03:53), then closes out the show with some bluegrass music recommendations (1:23:36).

Today’s show begins with a recap of results from the men’s division of the IPF world championships and USAPL Mega-Nationals. After that, Eric revisits the topic of beta-ecdysterone and turkesterone supplementation in light of some controversy within the supplement industry. Next, Greg discusses the newest Stronger By Science article by Cameron Gill, which explores the most commonly neglected movements and muscles. That’s followed by a Coach’s Corner segment in which Eric discusses carbohydrate overfeeding in the context of bulking diets, and directly compares it to fat overfeeding. Finally, Greg discusses an unfortunate example of “science by press release” related to running’s effects on aortic stiffness, and Eric closes out the show by recommending some music to lift to.

Today’s show begins with a recap of results from the women’s division of the IPF world champions. After that, Greg shares a hybrid Article Discussion/Tech Support segment about a new article covering MacroFactor’s revamped food logging system, which makes it (objectively) the fastest food logger on the market. After that, Greg and Eric debut the “Armchair Scientist’s Corner,” a spinoff of the Coach’s Corner segment, in which they discuss some unfavorable trends in the scientific literature. That’s followed by a Q&A segment covering topics including how to make incremental changes to your daily calorie target, creatine’s effects on hydration and cognitive function, nasal breathing, and how exercise might (or might not) impact certain health-oriented nutrition recommendations. Finally, to close out the show, Eric presents a history lesson about how the field of exercise science came to be.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric revisit the topic of buffering supplements and fatigue as Eric presents a Research Review about the mechanisms driving neuromuscular fatigue. After that, Greg discusses his cover story from the most recent issue of the MASS Research Review, which is also available at strongerbyscience.com. In the article, Greg explores under-representation of female participants within strength, hypertrophy, and supplement research. The discussion covers the extent of the disparity, the surprising observation that the gap is getting worse over time, and how this research imbalance impacts training and nutrition recommendations for female lifters. Next, Eric shares a Coach’s Corner segment about programming high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) for lifters. Finally, to close out the show, Eric and Greg share some music and video game recommendations.

Today’s episode begins with a spoiler in the Feats of Strength segment, as we discuss the winner of this year’s World’s Strongest Man competition. After that, Eric presents a Research Roundup segment about buffering strategies. The segment is mostly about new research on beta-alanine and a couple of related ingredients (carnosine and anserine), but also includes discussions about hyperventilation and the mechanisms involved with various buffering strategies. After that, Greg discusses his newest article on the MacroFactor website, which is called “The Problems with Calorie Counting.” It explores the shortcomings of many common strategies implemented by calorie counters, such as aiming for generic calorie targets or using wearable technologies or predictive equations to estimate energy expenditure. Finally, the show closes with a music recommendation from Eric, and some interesting lichen facts presented by Greg.

Today’s episode begins with two unconventional but remarkable Feats of Strength. After that, Eric presents a Research Review segment about the deleterious effects of sedentary time (even in people who regularly exercise), and some practical strategies for reducing sedentary time. Next, Greg reviews a study linking certain masculine traits to mating success, which has been spread widely (and misinterpreted widely) on social media. That’s followed by a brief segment about high-intensity interval training (HIIT), in which Eric clarifies some definitions and describes the wide range of protocols that fall under the “HIIT” umbrella, which can be very adaptable and accessible to all fitness levels. Finally, the show closes with a music recommendation from Eric.

Today’s show is an uncharacteristically anecdote-heavy episode of the podcast. After Greg shares some new Feats of Strength, Eric presents a Coach’s Corner segment about a modified version of the “one-meal-a-day” (OMAD) eating pattern. This strategy, which may be described as protein-sparing-modified-time-restricted-eating, aims to capitalize on the potential upsides of OMAD while attenuating the downsides. After that, Greg shares his own Coach’s Corner segment about joint-friendly warm-up strategies, which leads to a broader discussion about where anecdotal evidence fits within an evidence-based approach to training, nutrition, or content creation. Next, Eric answers a listener’s question about how to retain muscle while cutting. Finally, to close out the show, Greg recommends some people you should follow on social media, along with a new media recommendation.

Today’s episode features two remarkable Feats of Strength – one from a human, and one from a tree. After that, Eric presents a Research Review segment in defense of dietary fiber, and Greg responds to some feedback about previous segments on oral contraceptives and the impact of exercise on mortality. Finally, the show closes with a discussion about how to encourage people to start exercising (and maintain it), along with some vague words of caution and a shocking revelation about kiwis.

Today’s episode features a crazy (and historic) Feat of Strength, which leads into a discussion about whether or not sumo deadlifting is cheating. After that, Eric answers a few questions from listeners about topics including easy vegetarian protein sources, how to deal with a tendency to procrastinate, how long a weight loss phase can last, and whether or not you should have a maintenance phase immediately after a bulking phase. Finally, to close out the show, Greg discusses his recent article about how oral contraceptives impact (or don’t impact) training adaptations, along with a brief discussion about some good (and absolutely terrible) television show endings.

Today’s episode features a huge breakthrough in Eric’s Road to Athens segment, which leads to a mini Coach’s Corner segment about training around hip pain. After that, Eric discusses his recent Stronger By Science article about body recomposition and gaining strength or muscle mass while in a caloric deficit. Finally, much of the show is dedicated to reviewing the research covered in the newest “Best of MASS” issue, which is now free to download. To close out the show, Eric provides further proof that reading is bad, and Greg provides some media recommendations (and anti-recommendations).

Today’s episode features a big milestone in Greg’s Road to the Stage update, followed by a Research Review that’s sure to stir up some controversy and debate. Researchers recently reported that a little bit of resistance training is associated with lower risk of chronic disease and mortality, but doing more than 2-2.5 hours per week appeared to be considerably worse than doing only 30-60 minutes per week, and potentially worse than doing none at all. In this Research Review, Greg gets to the bottom of it and provides some tentative but practical conclusions. After that, Greg and Eric answer a few questions from listeners, covering topics including potential sleep disruption from pre-bed meals, cannabis for lifters, creatine timing, what to do when you’ve met your daily protein target but you’re below your total calorie target, the way overhead press strength scales with body weight, consequences of insufficient protein intake, how volume for one muscle influences hypertrophy for other muscles, and the role of debates in evidence-based fitness. To close out the show, Eric presents his second (but very disappointing) installment of the fan-favorite segment, “Eric’s Seder Stories.”

Today’s episode features a Road to the Stage update by Greg, followed by a fascinating Research Review about the effects of spirulina supplementation on symptoms of allergic rhinitis. After that, Greg and Eric answer a few questions from listeners, covering topics including the effects of dietary fat intake on satiety, the pros and cons of supplementing with vitamins and fish oil, and the utility of bathroom scales with bioelectrical impedance technology for tracking longitudinal changes in body composition. To close out the show, Eric shares a remarkable stat from the NBA, and Greg shares a movie recommendation.

To begin today’s episode, Greg and Eric clear the air and provide some updates about the recent chaos within the Stronger By Science Cinematic Universe. After that, Greg shares some Feats of Strength, followed by a Q&A segment. Topics covered include scaling protein recommendations to various body size metrics, how muscle fiber types should (or should not) impact your approach to training, how concerned we should (or should not) be about a new study linking artificial sweeteners to increased risk of cancer, and the health-related risks and benefits associated with dietary nitrate intake. To close out the show, Eric shares some stuff he learned about at the beach.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric explore the art and science of “peaking” for physique athletes. The discussion covers carbohydrate loading, water intake adjustments, and electrolyte manipulation for the purpose of transient physique optimization. This conversation digs into the limited research available, while also providing practical recommendations guided by a combination of scientific evidence and real-world experience. Finally, Greg and Eric close out the episode by unanimously recommending a TV show that aligns with the values of the Stronger By Science Podcast.

In today’s episode, Eric discusses the ins and outs of protein digestion speed, and why you probably don’t have to worry about consuming “fast proteins” post-workout and “slow proteins” pre-bed. After that, Greg and Eric field a number of questions from listeners, covering a range of topics including the relationship between exercise variety and hypertrophy, how to train for greater bone density, what acute protein synthesis studies can (or can’t) tell us about eating to maximize hypertrophy, and whether or not you need to balance “pushing” and “pulling” volume to keep your shoulders healthy and pain-free. To close out the show, Eric confidently recommends a travel destination he’s never been to.

In today’s episode, Greg presents a deep dive into the multifaceted benefits of walking. Rather than focusing exclusively on correlations from observational studies, this Research Roundup covers several meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. During the conversation, Greg and Eric discuss how walking might impact general health and wellness, in addition to performance, recovery, and body composition. After that, Eric answers a listener’s question about pre-bed protein consumption, and Greg shares some interesting biographical information about the host of the show.

In this week’s episode, Greg shares some incredible Feats of Strength, followed by an in-depth discussion about how to do an “energy audit” to troubleshoot weight loss plateaus. The conversation covers topics including metabolic adaptation, energy compensation, and a long list of factors that may lead us to overestimate energy expenditure or underestimate energy intake. After covering some of the most common physiological (and non-physiological) variables that may contribute to erroneous tracking, blunted energy expenditure, and increased energy intake, the conversation shifts toward practical solutions. Finally, to close out the show, Greg and Eric discuss some unbelievable 40-yard dash times at the 2022 NFL combine.

In this week’s episode, Eric presents a Research Review about the effects of fish oil on recovery and body composition, and answers a listener’s question about body-fat set points, settling points, and alternative models to explain weight regulation. In addition, Greg shares a brief research review about sports psychology, and answers listeners’ questions about training at long muscle lengths, micro-workouts, and junk volume. To close out the show, Eric revisits the topic of seed oil scaremongering.

In this week’s episode, Eric presents a Coach’s Corner segment about how to set up a diet for body recomposition. After that, Greg shares a research review about eating french fries, which kicks off an in-depth discussion about how to interpret different types of research, ranging from animal models and epidemiology to randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses. Finally, Greg and Eric discuss a very remarkable Feat of Strength to close out the show.

In this week’s episode, Eric shares a research review with an updated perspective on the constrained energy expenditure model and compensation for calories burned during exercise. After that, Greg shares a research update on whether or not lifters need to worry about the interference effect when they add some cardio to their weekly routine. Finally, Greg and Eric discuss the possibility that we may be underestimating the effects of some fairly well-known dietary supplements, and share their thoughts on the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl.

In this week’s episode, Greg and Eric answer a number of questions from listeners. Topics include protein overfeeding, aches and pains during deloads, ashwagandha supplementation, the impact of weight loss on strength, interval training versus steady state cardio, and the potential value of personalizing/individualizing training programs. To close out the show, Eric shares a couple unbelievable facts about longevity in the animal kingdom.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric share some updates on their Road to the Stage and Road to Athens segments, which is followed by a discussion of some recent Feats of Strength. After that, Eric’s Research Review segment takes a deep dive into the research on ATP supplementation, and Greg briefly discusses a brand new Stronger By Science article about row variations. Next, Greg presents a Coach’s Corner segment that revisits the topic of goal setting with an in-depth discussion about how to set an effective superordinate goal, and how important it is to continuously maintain alignment throughout your entire goal hierarchy. Eric also answers a listener's question about carbohydrate sources and the glycemic index, and Greg and Eric close out the show by paying their respects to two remarkable people who recently passed away.

In preparation for the new year (and the resolutions that come with it), today’s episode is all about goal setting and behavior change. Eric and Greg have a long, evidence-based conversation about the research on setting effective goals and successfully changing health behaviors. The discussion yields several evidence-based tips for setting better goals and maximally supporting your ability to achieve them.

Today’s episode begins with updates from the dueling “Road to the Stage” and “Road to Athens” segments, followed by Feats of Strength. After that, Eric gives some contextualized clarifications about how the concept of “reverse dieting” has, in his opinion, been commonly misapplied. Next, Greg explores mortality rates among untested bodybuilders using a data-driven approach, and Eric provides a quick and practical “Coach’s Corner” segment about proactively managing your sleep and circadian rhythm in the winter months. Finally, Greg and Eric answer some listener questions, and Eric closes out the show by thanking the pharmaceutical industry for giving him a new lease on life.

Today’s episode begins with a reminder about the current Black Friday Sale for the MASS Research Review, which ends November 29. After that, Greg and Eric share updates regarding their dueling Road to the Stage and Road to Athens segments. Next, Greg delivers the Feats of Strength segment, which features a legend in the world of iron sports. After that, Greg and Eric discuss some of their favorite MASS articles from the past year or so, with topics including p-ratios, plant-based protein, carbs for lifters, effects of diet on testosterone, emerging supplements, partial-ROM training, the interference effect (concurrent training), and muscle damage. Finally, Eric answers some listener questions about soy protein and intra-workout carbohydrate, then closes out the show by recommending some focus-enhancing music to play while you work.

Today’s episode begins with an exciting announcement about the forthcoming Black Friday Sale for the MASS Research Review, which extends from November 22 to November 29. After that, Greg shares a Road to the Stage update, and Eric takes a sharp turn onto the Road to Athens. That’s followed by Feats of Strength, and a Tech Support segment sharing MacroFactor reminders and updates related to the knowledge base, food database expansion, and the new public roadmap. Next, Greg provides an in-depth review of the literature related to cooling gloves and performance, and Eric gives some contextualized clarifications about low-calorie diets, age-related protein considerations, and positive aspects of cardio. Finally, Greg answers some listener questions, and Eric closes out the show by issuing a sobering warning about the grave consequences of Fat Bear Week.

Today’s episode features a number of protein-themed segments. First, Eric summarizes some recent discussions regarding the consumption of whey protein among vegetarians, along with some information about fascinating innovations in lab-based production of protein sources. After that, Eric reviews the literature linking calorie restriction and protein restriction to health and longevity. Greg then discusses a new Stronger By Science article on reverse Nordic curls, and shares some exciting updates about the MacroFactor diet app. That’s followed by a Q&A segment in which Eric answers questions about discrepancies between MPS research and hypertrophy research, the lowest advisable protein intake that can adequately support gains, and the concept of using alkaline water or other dietary manipulations to influence blood pH. Finally, to close out the show, Greg discusses his quest to perfect high-protein bread.

Today’s episode begins with some good vibes from the Road to the Stage, Road to Enlightenment, and Feats of Strength segments. After that, Eric shares a research-heavy update on diet breaks and refeeds, followed by a Tech Support segment in which Greg discusses food databases and some practical tips for easy and efficient food logging. That’s followed by a Q&A segment featuring questions about topics including sleep, sodium, fructose, accuracy of self-reported food intake, managing exercise and nutrition during vacations, and much more. Finally, Eric and Greg graciously and nobly accept defeat while recapping the final results of Fat Bear Week 2021.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric debut a new segment called “Tech Support,” in which they discuss a few common questions and comments about MacroFactor. After that, Greg discusses a new review paper about the carbohydrate-insulin model of obesity, and Eric discusses the newest Stronger by Science article about how to set up a diet. To wrap up the show, Greg and Eric select their favorites and place their bets for the upcoming Fat Bear Week.

This special bonus episode of the Stronger By Science Podcast is a recording of the show’s live launch party for the MacroFactor diet app.

This special bonus episode of the Stronger By Science Podcast is a recording of the show’s first ever live Q&A episode.

In today’s episode, the show transforms from the Stronger By Science Podcast to the Stronger By Science Multimedia Experience. In other words, a video of the recording session will now be posted to YouTube rather than audio only. Today’s show features a research review segment in which Eric covers a couple papers that made headlines: one reported that we offset some of the calories burned during exercise by saving energy elsewhere, and another reported that hot dogs can shorten our lives by about 36 minutes. After that, Greg discusses a new paper about modeling muscle growth that also generated plenty of headlines, along with an important update about the performance effects of caffeine for women. This episode also features a Coach’s Corner segment about setting calorie targets for a wide range of diet goals, and a Q&A segment addressing topics including the effects of aging on performance, the long-term health ramifications of bulking and cutting, the effect of pre-bed meals on sleep quality, and more.

Greg and Eric are back from summer break for Season 5 of the podcast. In today’s episode, Eric gives a thorough overview of a recent study that has generated a lot of buzz about how age and biological sex relate to metabolic rate and total energy expenditure. After discussing the new findings, Eric provides several practical strategies for estimating total daily energy expenditure. In addition, Greg presents a research update summarizing some new findings in the area of blood flow restricted training. Finally, Greg and Eric discuss the research (or lack thereof) assessing the effects of Turkesterone supplementation on exercise performance and resistance training adaptations.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric provide an update about MacroFactor, their forthcoming nutrition app that is in the final stages of development. They also cover a variety of topics including relative energy deficiency, diet recovery, training frequency, beginner gains, the “constrained energy model,” ideal durations for bulking and cutting phases, and more.

In this episode, Greg and Eric provide a huge update related to the good news segment, some very impressive and potentially controversial feats of strength, and dueling research reviews about fish oil and distinguishing between responders and non-responders to training. They also answer some listener questions and congratulate the sport of baseball for becoming interesting again.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric discuss some Good News and Feats of Strength, in addition to a quick update about the new nutrition app that is in development. After that, Eric has a Research Roundup segment that covers capsaicin supplementation for performance and ketogenic diets for hypertrophy. That’s followed by a Coach’s Corner in which Greg discusses how to navigate vacations and potential periods of time away from the gym. After that, Greg and Eric answer some listener questions, and Greg wraps up the show by telling his harrowing tale of undergoing a fitness assessment in a commercial gym.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric announce the hiring of two new SBS coaches and provide some exciting updates about the diet app that is currently in development. After that, Eric shares a Research Roundup segment with fascinating new findings related to beta-alanine supplementation, and Greg presents a Research Roundup covering topics including training frequency, sticking points, non-nutritive sweeteners, the effects of strength on hypertrophy potential, and more. Eric also shares some practical tips for modifying your pressing exercises in the presence of elbow and shoulder discomfort in a Coach’s Corner segment. Finally, Greg and Eric wrap up the show by answering a few questions from listeners.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric answer a ton of questions from listeners. Topics include the relative impact of lifting and protein intake on muscle protein synthesis, strategies for dealing with suboptimal sleep patterns, how to handle anti-lifting advice from your doctor, nutrition strategies that may or may not reduce muscle loss during detraining, how hard you should train, studies they’d like to see completed, topics where their opinions are firmly against the common wisdom, and more.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric begin by sharing a Good News segment, followed by a series of updates and clarifications. After some Feats of Strength, Eric provides a Research Roundup segment with studies related to caffeine naps, intuitive eating, and metabolic adaptation to weight loss. After that, Greg and Eric lament the current state of peer-reviewed scientific publishing, and Greg catches up on a ton of Q&A questions from listeners.

In today’s episode, Greg and Eric reflect on the 4-year anniversary of their monthly research review called “Monthly Applications in Strength Sport,” also known as “MASS,” which they write alongside co-authors Dr. Mike Zourdos and Dr. Eric Helms. To commemorate the occasion, they’ve released a free “Best of MASS” issue and they're launching a big charity sale from April 27 - May 4. Greg and Eric also present Research Reviews about testosterone boosters and barbell velocity-tracking technologies in this episode, along with a Coach’s Corner segment about sticking points, some shocking information about eels, and much more.

Greg and Eric are back for Season 4! This episode begins with a big announcement about what Greg and Eric have been up to (0:01:17), followed by some Good News (0:06:11) and Feats of Strength (0:19:49). After that, Eric discusses some new research that appears to vindicate plant-based proteins (0:28:48), and Greg discusses new research about how BMI, fat mass, and fat-free mass relate to mortality risk (0:49:03). They close out the show with some practical tips from a Coach’s Corner segment (1:15:33), a few miscellaneous Q&As (1:20:12), and some cooking info to wrap up the episode (2:13:58).