Swole Radio

Eric helms has a background in bodybuilding, powerlifting, olympic lifting, and strongman. Here we analyze his current hypertrophy-focused workout program going into contest prep: 1:47 Eric’s training history 8:40 Overview of his training routine 13:31 Training frequency for non-specialized muscle groups 15:14 Progression 33:22 Does Eric use a base training split? 39:53 Volume requirements 41:17 H...

I had Cliff Wilson back on the show to discuss contest prep planning in the ideal scenario. Definitely one to tune in for if you’re a serious physique competitor! Find Cliff: IG: @cwteamwilson https://www.teamwilsonbb.com/ ------------------------------- Take your knowledge to the next level with the MASS Research Review: http://bit.ly/drswoleMASS (This is an affiliate link - I’ll receive a small...

Mike Israetel joins me again on the Swole Radio Podcast to discuss training intensity for hypertrophy! We go over: 0:42 Definition of failure 3:24 What RIR zone is effective for muscle growth? 7:08 How stimulus increases closer to failure 11:32 How fatigue increases closer to failure 17:30 Theoretical ideal RIR range 22:40 Why so many pros train with high intensity 32:47 Optimal RIR for different...

Chris Elkins is an OG natural bodybuilder / content creator and placed 2nd in men’s physique at 2021 WNBF Worlds. We talk about his competitive career in bodybuilding and men’s physique, and get an update on his 2022 Worlds prep. ------------------------------- Take your knowledge to the next level with the MASS Research Review: http://bit.ly/drswoleMASS (This is an affiliate link - I’ll receive a...

Dr. Eric Helms is back on the Swole Radio Podcast to talk about cardio for bodybuilding! We go over: 0:51 Definition of cardio 2:22 Types of cardio (HIIT, LISS…) 4:04 Does weight training count as cardio? 10:19 Does cardio interfere with hypertrophy? 18:16 Optimal modality for bodybuilders 23:34 Benefits of HIIT cardio 27:19 Mechanisms for cardio affecting hypertrophy 37:51 When to do cardio 45:08...

Menno Henselmans joins me again to talk about fat loss! We discuss: 0:35 Planning a fat loss phase 2:35 Calories, rate of loss 8:21 Macros: overall set-up 9:18 Should protein be increased in a cut? 20:17 Carb intake 25:36 Fat intake 34:25 Cholesterol and saturated fat 37:53 Fiber 40:09 Food choices for weight loss FInd Menno: https://mennohenselmans.com/ ------------------------------- Take your k...

I had Jim Wendler (inventor of 5/3/1) back on the Swole Radio Podcast to discuss accessory movements for strength and hypertrophy! We cover: 1:28 Goals for assistance movements 9:44 Favourite squat set-up 14:00 Squat assistance movements 28:07 Deadlift: sumo vs. conventional 30:14 Deadlift assistance work 41:30 Bench press accessories 59:15 Upper back work 1:08:07 Paused reps Find Jim: IG: @jimwen...

Brad Schoenfeld is a world leader in hypertrophy science. Here we discuss: 0:33 Mechanisms of hypertrophy 3:59 Mechanical tension 8:31 Training volume vs. Training intensity / failure training 14:34 Metabolic stress / metabolic training 25:27 Muscle damage 31:20 Loaded stretches / Interset stretching 36:13 Stretch exercises / stretch partials 48:13 Mind-muscle connection Find Brad: IG: bradschoenf...

I had Dr. Mike Israetel back on the Swole Radio Podcast to go over some advanced tips for training the upper body: 0:43 chest / pecs 15:08 back: erector spinae, rhomboids, traps, lats, teres major 30:06 shoulders / delts 44:19 biceps 49:29 triceps 59:29 traps Find Mike: IG: @drmikeisraetel YouTube: @RenaissancePeriodization Team ROM private forum: https://teamfullrom.com/collections/private-traini...

Leo King placed 2nd at 2021 WNBF Worlds in lightweight bodybuilding. He is also the president of WNBF Canada. We discuss his 2021 prep,  his journey to elite status as a natural bodybuilder, and his experience balancing bodybuilding with powerlifting. ------------------------------- Take your knowledge to the next level with the MASS Research Review: http://bit.ly/drswoleMASS (This is an affi...

Mike Israetel joined me to give some advanced tips for leg training! These are meant for serious bodybuilders who really want to maximize their hypertrophy results. 2:20 Quads 25:50 Hamstrings 44:34 Glutes 51:47 Calves Find Mike: IG: @drmikeisraetel https://rpstrength.com/ ------------------------------- Take your knowledge to the next level with the MASS Research Review: http://bit.ly/drswoleMASS...

I had Eric Helms back on to continue our chat on nutrition for bulking! 0:55 Carbs for bulking 15:35 Minimum carb recommendations 21:18 How to find your optimal carb intake 26:59 Role of insulin for bodybuilders 32:46 Carb cycling 34:47 Importance of fats 40:28 Micronutrients 47:29 Processed vs. Unprocessed food 53:53 Thermic effect of food / macros Eric’s IG: @helms3dmj His books: https://musclea...

I had Menno Henselmans back on the Swole Radio Podcast to discuss bodybuilding supplements: which supplements are actually worth using for natural bodybuilders? You’ll see that there are a number of indirect benefits for supplements that can make them useful. We go through which ones work, which ones don’t, what to look for, and how much to take if helpful: 1:58 creatine 7:01 caffeine 20:51 vitami...

Dr. Eric Helms is back on the Swole Radio Podcast to talk about the fundamentals of bulking nutrition! We cover calories and protein here: 0:43 How to find maintenance calories 8:36 Ideal calorie surplus in a bulk / rate of weight gain 18:04 Bulking intuitively 24:21 Tracking progress for muscle growth 27:23 Protein - how much is optimal? 33:44 Importance of amino acids 40:30 Fast vs. slow digesti...

I had Chris Barakat on to speak about bodybuilding splits and advanced microcycle design. This will include a discussion of training frequency, fatigue distribution, and specialization programs. Find Chris: https://www.schoolofgainz.com/ IG: @christopher.barakat ------------------------------- Take your knowledge to the next level with the MASS Research Review: http://bit.ly/drswoleMASS (This is a...

I had Alberto Nunez back on to discuss his last offseason, Bulking in the Year 3000. Lots of valuable insights here into how an elite natural bodybuilder periodizes his offseason. We go over his stats, training, and nutrition and how he’s setting up for his 2022 contest prep 🔥. Find Alberto: https://3dmusclejourney.com/ IG: @nunez3dmj ------------------------------- Take your knowledge to the nex...

Cliff Wilson one of the most respected natural bodybuilding coaches. In this episode we talk all about peak week for bodybuilding. Find Cliff: https://www.teamwilsonbb.com/ ------------------------------- Take your knowledge to the next level with the MASS Research Review: http://bit.ly/drswoleMASS (This is an affiliate link - I’ll receive a small commission when you use it) My e-books: https://as...

I had Dr. Eric Helms back on the Swole Radio Podcast to discuss calorie balance and body recomposition: 1:06 How to decide whether to bulk or cut 14:53 Can you miss out on newbie gains? 18:15 Overall bodybuilder career planning 26:08 Body recomposition 47:49 Who should go for body recomposition? 53:06 Calorie intake for body recomposition 58:43 Partial vs. full range of motion training Find Eric:...

I have Dr. Mike Israetel back on the Swole Radio Podcast to discuss how to set up a mesocycle! 1:08 Volume landmarks: MV, MEV, MAV, MRV 6:23 How to find your volume landmarks 18:12 Adaptive resistance 25:55 Benefits of novelty 32:49 Mesocycle design 40:13 Progression schemes 48:08 Ranges of volume cycling in a mesocycle 56:04 What affects MEV and MRV Find Mike: https://www.youtube.com/c/Renaissanc...

Bill Campbell is one of the leading bodybuilding researchers worldwide. In this episode of the Swole Radio Podcast, we discuss: How to achieve rapid fat loss Refeeds Diet breaks Metabolic adaptation “Damaging” your metabolism Find Bill on IG: @billcampbellphd ------------------------------- Take your knowledge to the next level with the MASS Research Review: http://bit.ly/drswoleMASS (This is an a...

Greg Potter is a sleep researcher, coach, and co-founder of Resilient Nutrition. We talk all about sleep: 0:57: how much sleep should physique athletes get? 6:14 catching up on sleep 13:02 circadian rhythm 25:34 are different parts of the night more valuable? 31:30 troubleshooting insomnia 40:10 the importance of timing your sleep schedule with daylight hours 45:54 can you change your chronotype?...

I had the honor of having Jim Wendler, creator of 5/3/1, on the Swole Radio Podcast. We covered: How to program 5/3/1 for hypertrophy Top-set back-off programming and reverse pyramid sets The importance of athletic training and general physical preparation Autoregulation Tips for training longevity Find Jim at: jimwendler.com ------------------------------- Take your knowledge to the next level wi...

Laurin Conlin has a Masters in Exercise science, is an IFBB pro bikini athlete, and owns Team LocoFit. In this episode we discuss the pros and cons of meals plans versus a IIFYM (if it fits your macros) approach. We teach you how to count macros, and go from a structured approach to a more flexible one. We also touch on binging and how to transition out of the diet. Find Laurin: teamlocofit.com IG...

Hypertrophy Coach Joe Bennett is a world-renowned bodybuilding coach, and recently took Terrence Ruffin to a Mr. Olympia 2nd place finish. We discuss his favourite exercises for advanced bodybuilders and how to program them: 1:26 Joe’s criteria for choosing good exercises 5:24 Quads 12:43 Hamstrings 18:27 Glutes 25:27 Chest 31:08 Back 45:05 Shoulders 54:30 Arms 1:02:10 Calves Find Joe and his app:...

Welcoming Menno Henselmans back on the Swole Radio Podcast for a high level discussion on bulking. 1:02 Magnitude of surplus; rate of gain 10:41 Macros 18:50 Meal timing; macro and calorie distribution 27:15 Calorie/carb cycling between days 32:53 Length of bulk. Bulking momentum & staleness 37:42 P-ratio, optimal body fat percentage range 44:30 Tracking body composition 52:23 Would Menno take...