Muscle for Life

Do 95% of diets fail, or is the problem dieters? Does counting calories give you an eating disorder? Is it possible to be in a calorie deficit for years without losing weight? In this podcast, you’re going to hear a bunch of common, bad diet takes. Listen to this podcast and let me know your thoughts! What bad diet takes have you heard? --- Timestamps: 0:00 - Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe! 3:44 - Try Recharge today! Go to https://buylegion.com/recharge and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points! --- Mentioned on the Show: Try Recharge today! Go to https://buylegion.com/recharge and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!

Should women use different rep ranges from men? What’re the best hamstring exercises? Should women use heavier weights? What’s my skin care routine and why is my workout playlist so good? How much protein you can absorb and digest in one meal? Should you take EAAs? How do I maintain energy levels throughout the day? Is setian a good source of protein? All that and more in this Q&A podcast. Over on Instagram, I’ve started doing weekly Q&As in the stories, and it occurred to me that many podcast listeners might enjoy hearing these questions and my short answers. So, instead of talking about one thing in an episode, I’m going to cover a variety of questions. And keep in mind some of these questions are just for fun. :) So if you want to ask me questions in my Instagram stories, follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness), and if I answer your question there, it might just make it onto an episode of the podcast! If you like this type of episode, let me know. Send me an email (mike@muscleforlife.com) or

In this podcast, I chat with scientist and friend Dr. Bill Campbell about training volume. There’s a recent trend in the fitness space that more volume is always better. Is that always true, though? And if you do want to increase your volume, what’s the best way to do it? You’re going to learn all that and more in this interview. In case you’re not familiar with Dr. Campbell, he’s a professor of Exercise Science and the Director of the Performance & Physique Enhancement Laboratory at the University of South Florida, who’s also published more than 150 scientific papers. He also recently started a research review in which he examines scientific papers and breaks them down into simple, actionable takeaways. In other words, Dr. Campbell has long been behind the scenes, conducting research on practical, fitness-related matters and helping people apply the latest findings to get us more jacked. In this interview, Bill and I talk about . . . The right way to count volume (sets, tonnage, etc.) The practical li

Did you know that people with stronger forearms live longer? It’s true. Grip strength is associated with lower all-cause mortality. A stronger grip is also vital for progressing on pushing and pulling exercises like the bench press, overhead press, and any type of deadlift. Of course, strong forearms look nice, too. You can have great biceps, triceps, and shoulders, but it's just not complete if your forearms aren't also up to the mark. So in this podcast, I'm going to teach you everything you know about working out your forearms. I'm going to share some of my favorite forearm exercises and some example workout programming so that you can put this information into use right away. So press play and start building some “Popeye” forearms! :) Timestamps: 0:00 - Save up to 40% during our Halloween Sale! https://buylegion.com/ 2:43 - What kind of muscle is the forearm? 3:33 - Why do we want strong flexors and extensors? 6:14 - What are the benefits of strong forearms? 7:01 - How should I train my forearms? 8:21 -

In this installment of the Best of Muscle For Life, you’ll hear hand-picked clips from three popular MFL episodes: an interview with Alan Aragon on the science of healthy eating, a monologue on fish oil supplementation, and a motivational episode on what it really takes to be tough. Some people—my favorite people—listen to most or even all of my podcasts, but my wizbang analytics tell me that while many listeners tune in on a regular basis, they don’t catch every installment of Muscle for Life and thus miss out on insights that could help them do at least a little better inside and outside the gym. That’s why I do “best of” episodes that contain a few of the most practical and compelling ideas, tips, and moments from the more popular episodes I’ve published over the years. This way, you can learn interesting insights that you might have otherwise missed and find new episodes of the show to listen to. So, in this installment of The Best of Muscle for Life, you’ll be hearing hand-picked morsels from three episo

In this podcast, I interview Luke, who read my book Bigger Leaner Stronger and did 6 months of Legion’s VIP one-on-one coaching program to finally dial in his training and nutrition, improve his body composition, and get leaner and stronger than ever before. And the best part is he did it while spending less time in the gym, simplifying his fitness regimen, and learning to love the lifestyle. Now, he not only enjoys his training, but looks forward to it every day. Enjoyment is the secret to consistency, which will help Luke continue to make progress and maintain his physique for the rest of his life. Before finding my work, Luke had a “skinny fat” look and spent 2 or 3 hours in the gym per day. But through educating himself with my book and following the program of his coach, Nick, he was able to get down to 8% body fat, and get stronger than he’s ever been. In this interview, Luke and I chat about . . . How he cut his training time in half while drastically increasing his strength His cardio routine (even

In this podcast, you’re going to learn some very simple health “hacks” you can do right away and start benefiting from immediately. These tips actually work and can make a big difference in your health and well-being. Listen to this podcast and let me know your thoughts! Do you have any of your own hacks? Timestamps: 0:00 - Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe! 3:44 - The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation: https://legionathletics.com/products/books/the-little-black-book-of-workout-motivation/ Mentioned on the Show: The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation is a bestselling fitness book that helps you overcome the mental blocks that are keeping you unmotivated, unhappy, and unhealthy: https://legionathletics.com/products/books/the-little-black-book-of-workout-motivation/

Is coolsculpting legit? Is rest-pause training beneficial? Does casein before bed help with fat loss? Are there any side lateral raise alternatives? Should you build your metabolism before cutting? What’s the best way to deal with “off,” nonproductive days and a lack of motivation? Is there any truth to the idea of vegetables or whole grains being harmful to health? All that and more in this Q&A podcast. Over on Instagram, I’ve started doing weekly Q&As in the stories, and it occurred to me that many podcast listeners might enjoy hearing these questions and my short answers. So, instead of talking about one thing in an episode, I’m going to cover a variety of questions. And keep in mind some of these questions are just for fun. :) So if you want to ask me questions in my Instagram stories, follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness), and if I answer your question there, it might just make it onto an episode of the podcast! If you like this type of episode, let me know. Send me an email (mike@muscle

We’ve all seen the half- or even quarter-squatter in the gym. Maybe you even used to be one of them. And then you may have learned about using a full range of motion, made amends for your sins, and started squatting to parallel (or even ass to grass). Well, what if partial reps actually weren’t so bad after all? What if there was a way to do them that maximized their effectiveness? What if partials could actually be more effective than full ROM training? That’s what I’m talking about in this interview with Dr. Mike Israetel. In case you’re not familiar with Dr. Mike, he’s a repeat guest on my podcast for good reason.  Not only does he have a science background with a PhD in Sport Physiology, but he’s the co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, a successful blog, coaching program, and fitness platform, so he’s worked with thousands of people and definitely knows how to get results. In our discussion, Mike and I chat about . . . What a “full” range of motion is and the pros and cons of partial reps The

Ignoring your rear delts is a mistake. Many lifters don’t give much thought to training their rear deltoids because out of sight usually means out of mind. However, training your rear delts properly will not only makes your shoulders look better, it may also reduce your risk of injury and improve your athletic performance. So, it’s time for your rear delts to get their due, and I’m going to help. In this podcast, you’ll learn what the rear delts are, why it’s important to train them, four tips to make your rear delt training as effective as possible, and the best rear delt exercises for size and strength. Listen to this podcast to learn what lean bulking is and how to lean bulk correctly, including how to start bulking, how to make a lean bulking meal plan, how to train while bulking, and more! --- Timestamps: 0:00 - Try Fortify today! Go to https://buylegion.com/fortify and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points! 3:52 - What are rear delts? 6:49 - What are the common mistakes that p

Some people believe veganism is the future and that it’s inevitable. Will the vegan diet eventually become the most popular diet in the world? Whether it’s due to animal products becoming too expensive or just no longer being available, it’s certainly a possibility. In this podcast, I’m going to address that potential future and why I don’t think the vegan diet will become more popular any time soon. I’ve written and recorded a lot of evidence-based content over the years on just about everything you can imagine related to building muscle, losing fat, and getting healthy. I’ve also worked with thousands of men and women of all ages and circumstances and helped them get into the best shape of their lives. That doesn’t mean you should blindly swallow everything I say, though, because let’s face it—nobody is always right about everything. And especially in fields like diet and exercise, which are constantly evolving thanks to the efforts of honest and hardworking researchers and thought leaders. This is why I’m

The fundamental question of “what should we do with our lives and why?” is an interesting one. With life being finite, I’ve long been fascinated with how to make the most of my time. How can we create more satisfying, meaningful, and fulfilling lives? What types of goals should we aim to achieve? Taking care of our bodies and minds through fitness is one avenue, but there’s more to life than muscles. And so I’m excited to share today’s podcast, which is an interview I recorded with Ben Nemtin all about this topic. In case you’re not familiar with Ben, he’s the #1 New York Times best-selling author of What Do You Want To Do Before You Die? and his new book, The Bucket List Journal, is a practical guidebook for turning your goals and dreams into reality. He’s also the co-founder of The Buried Life movement, and is recognized as one of the World’s Best Motivational Speakers, having delivered over 500 keynotes to brands and Fortune 500 companies around the globe. His work has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Sh

I’m sharing a collection of simple life “hacks” you can do right now that will improve your happiness, health, success, and well-being. “Hacks” are usually bunk, but these ones actually work and can make a big difference in your life. Listen to this podcast and let me know your thoughts! Do you have any of your own hacks? --- Timestamps: 0:00 - Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe! 3:44 - My award-winning fitness books for men and women: https://legionathletics.com/products/books/ --- Mentioned on the Show: My award-winning fitness books for men and women: https://legionathletics.com/products/books/

How can you lose as much fat as possible for an event or vacation a month away? How should you build up to a PR attempt? How can you find your passion? Are sumo deadlifts “cheating?” Should teenagers track calories? Does intermittent fasting improve insulin sensitivity? Lifting advice for people who have to wear suits. All that and more in this Q&A podcast. Over on Instagram, I’ve started doing weekly Q&As in the stories, and it occurred to me that many podcast listeners might enjoy hearing these questions and my short answers. So, instead of talking about one thing in an episode, I’m going to cover a variety of questions. And keep in mind some of these questions are just for fun. :) So if you want to ask me questions in my Instagram stories, follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness), and if I answer your question there, it might just make it onto an episode of the podcast! If you like this type of episode, let me know. Send me an email (mike@muscleforlife.com) or direct message me on Instagram.

There’s something comforting about knowing exactly what, when, and how much you’re going to eat every day. You never have to think about food, and you’re guaranteed results whether you’re cutting, maintaining, or bulking. That’s the beauty of meal planning. On the other hand, weighing, tracking, planning, preparing, and packaging all of your meals for the day (or week) in advance is very tedious. Is there an easier way? There is, and you’re going to learn all about it in this podcast. Joining me on this podcast is John North, and we’re discussing how to eat without tracking your macros or every gram of food while still improving your body composition and achieving your goals. In case you’re not familiar with John, he and I have been working together behind the scenes for years on articles, books, podcasts, and other content. In fact, he’s the Director of Content for Legion. He’s also completed over 100 triathlons and cross-country, cycling, and adventure races, has squatted and deadlifted over 400 pounds and

This episode is all about lean bulking and how to do it correctly. Many people take the “dirty bulk” route, which results often results in gaining weight too quickly, unnecessary fat gain, having to cut too soon, and spinning their wheels. In this podcast, you’ll learn how to set up your diet and your training to maximize muscle growth while minimizing fat gain. Listen to this podcast to learn what lean bulking is and how to lean bulk correctly, including how to start bulking, how to make a lean bulking meal plan, how to train while bulking, and more! Timestamps: 0:00 - Try Pulse today! Go to https://buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points! 2:51 - What is lean bulking? 5:42 - What are the two main methods of bulking? 9:40 - Why do people choose to dirty bulk? 17:00 - How can I start lean bulking? 21:22 - How do I meal plan while lean bulking? 25:17 - How should I train while lean bulking? Mentioned on the Show: Try Pulse today! Go to https://buylegion.com/pulse

In this installment of the Best of Muscle For Life, you’ll hear hand-picked clips from three popular MFL episodes: an interview with Eric Helms on natural bodybuilding, a monologue on getting back in the gym after a long break from training, and a motivational episode with my top tips on increasing productivity. Some people—my favorite people—listen to most or even all of my podcasts, but my wizbang analytics tell me that while many listeners tune in on a regular basis, they don’t catch every installment of Muscle for Life and thus miss out on insights that could help them do at least a little better inside and outside the gym. That’s why I do “best of” episodes that contain a few of the most practical and compelling ideas, tips, and moments from the more popular episodes I’ve published over the years. This way, you can learn interesting insights that you might have otherwise missed and find new episodes of the show to listen to. So, in this installment of The Best of Muscle for Life, you’ll be hearing hand-p

Paul Hough joins me to talk about high-intensity interval training (HIIT). I’ve written about HIIT plenty before, but I wanted to get Paul on the podcast to do a deeper dive on the subject. And HIIT is the subject of one of the chapters in his new textbook, Advanced Personal Training, which aims to turn science into applicable practice for personal trainers. So in this episode we’re chatting all about what HIIT is, how to do it correctly, and even whether you should do it at all. In case you’re not familiar with Paul, I recently shared a webinar I recorded with him for students at Oxford Brookes University in the UK, where Paul is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science. Not only is he a fellow author, but he’s worked with elite-level athletes in tennis and Formula One, and published several studies in academic journals. In our discussion, we chat about . . . What HIIT is (and how to test if you're actually doing a high intensity) Different types of HIIT (and what systems they stress) and their ben

I’m offering a slew of diet and exercise “hacks” that will immediately boost your results. “Hacks” are usually hogwash, but in this case, I’m sharing simple tips and tweaks that can make a big difference in your nutrition and training. Listen to this podcast and let me know your thoughts! Timestamps: 0:00 - Want 125 quick, easy, and delicious “fitness friendly” recipes? Get The Shredded Chef: https://legionathletics.com/products/books/the-shredded-chef/ 3:47 - What are some diet hacks? 6:43 - What are some exercise hacks? Mentioned on the Show: Want 125 quick, easy, and delicious “fitness friendly” recipes? Get The Shredded Chef - https://legionathletics.com/products/books/the-shredded-chef/

Can you successfully cut without counting calories or macros? What are my thoughts on intermittent fasting? Is MSG bad for you? How do you gain strength without size? What’s a reasonable amount of “incompete” protein in your diet? Should you eat fewer calories on rest days? All that and more in this Q&A podcast. This podcast is a Q&A, but it’s a bit different from the kind you’ll typically find here on Muscle For Life. In my usual Q&A episodes, I take a question from email or Instagram and then fully answer it in an episode of the podcast every week. However, over on Instagram, I’ve started doing weekly Q&As in the stories, and it occurred to me that many podcast listeners might enjoy hearing these questions and my short answers. So, instead of talking about one thing in an episode, I’m going to cover a variety of questions. And keep in mind some of these questions are just for fun. :) So if you want to ask me questions in my Instagram stories, follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness), a