Barbell Machas

Hope everyone are taking their rest day seriously. We know we are! But do you ever feel like taking rest days are just killing your gains? what about when you deload? Do you have that insatiable itch to just want to drive to gym, lift some heavy weights and drink some protein shakes? We know that feeling all too well so heres an episode discussing rest days or more specifically REST WEEKS other wi...

Kicking off the week strong with none other than Malaysia's very own Zarol 'The Baby Ox' Alfiyan! The machas appreciate Zarol taking the time out to humble us with his story of how he got started and the challenges he faced getting to where he is now. Zarol is only 24 years old and has already achieved so much. He has his eyes set on even bigger goals in the next coming years so get ready to be bl...

Squats! an excellent choice exercise with a great return on investment. However, it is also the exercise with many myths surrounding its execution and safety. Everybody has an opinion on some of these myths and so do the Machas. We give you our take on a few of the hottest myths that surround it.

If you’ve watched a Badminton game or basketball or even soccer you’ve probably seen it: strips of colorful tape splayed in patterns across shoulders, knees, backs, and abs. That’s kinesiology tape: a therapeutic tape that’s applied strategically to the body to provide support, lessen pain, reduce swelling, and improve performance. Listen to the machas talk about the history of the tape and its ef...

This week the machas are keeping it simple. 10 mistakes that we see most beginners and intermediates make in and out of the gym that are keeping them from making gains. From poor structure to poor sleeping patterns, over training to over supplementing this episode delves into the mistakes that most people are making but don't realize it.

The day has come for the machas to discuss a topic that is usually very much controversial. Let's talk SARMs. Performance enhancing drugs has plagued the sports field for the longest period of time and WADA is strongly advocating a fair playing field. Safety of the athletes always comes before anything else. However, we the machas feel that educating our listeners about this new and upcoming drug...

Today is yet another historical episode for the machas. We have with us our first female athlete on the podcast. A woman with so much charisma and genuinely enjoyable to talk to. It was none other than Dr Syazana Alia. She has won quite a few running events including major ones, who also loves strength training especially CrossFit. What makes this even more special is that Dr Syaz was thrown a cur...

Mobility , flexibility and recovery is a big deal in the lifting world. The machas took it upon themselves to dwell into one of the biggest tool used to improve all those parameters. Let's talk FOAM ROLLING. Like everything the machas discuss, we put our biasness aside, so that we can talk science and discuss its applicability in the real world. Don't mind the banter.

The Machas are back! after taking a 2 week period off from recording they have returned to bring you guys the spicy science of lifting. On this week's podcast the Machas talk about one of the supplements that has been widely used not just by gym goers but also by the general masses. A supplement that has made such bold claims yet has been disputed many times by the scientific community as to the e...

What does it take to be a competitive bodybuilder? This week the Machas talks to one the OGs of Bodybuilding in Malaysia. None other than, Mr Kumareswarren, owner of Body Factory Gym and Fitness. Kumar has won and placed top 3 in numerous competitions both in the local and international scene including the FM League Asia Championship in 2017. Kumar tells us his story of how once a big sized kid fo...

We are all stoked for the gyms to reopen and so are the Machas. But with that being said, returning to training has to be done in a graceful manner. Injury is the main issue we are trying prevent let it be ligamentous, tendinous or muscular. Training hard in a deconditioned state is definitely a bad idea hence why we are laying down some advise on how you can return safely. Keep an eye on frequenc...

In this episode the machas make history as we have our first guest speaker Mr. Kevin a successful competing physique athlete and a full time coach. Kevin is a 2x back to back CHAMPION in the UK WNBF and has helped many of his clients with their transformations through nutrition and resistance training. In fact, Kevin has coached Luke in his last Men of Steel. Listen to Kevin speak about what he be...

Let's Talk KAATSU aka Blood Flow Restriction training. The art of hypertrophy that originated from The Land of The Rising Sun that has been around for more than 50 yrs! Listen in as the Machas explore this delicate art and lay down the principles of how KAATSU training can be a powerful arsenal in your training toolbox. Furthermore, tune it to hear its immense benefits in the field of rehabilitati...

In this weeks episode we’re taking a break from the lifting science we normally do to talk about and the machas share their life stories before MCO and how they managed to balance between working 1-2 jobs, training, relationships, and other commitments. Listen to Dr. Arvin and Luke tell us their stories of how they managed to cope with everything while they were still in med school.

The number one drug that is LEGAL and consumed all over the world! Something that Arvin and Luke take everyday and sometimes twice a day. That's right, caffeine. Find out exactly what caffeine is and how you can fully abuse the benefits of it to increase your performance in the gym. It's not just a morning drink that you take to wake you up but its actually something more! Dr. Arvin and Luke delve...

Concurrent training is probably one of the most divergent topic the machas have discuss thus far. The science behind concurrent training is evolving as we speak and there is still so much push and pull within the scientific community. We have tried our best to present the current literature out there on where we are with concurrent training and is it true it interferes with your gains and most imp...

In this episode Luke takes the lead in explaining one of the key principles in strength and conditioning. In fact, with the whole pandemic going on people have been doing home workouts to keep fit which is great! however there seems to be a key factor missing in most peoples training program. Listen to this to find out what they are missing and how everyone out there can get make more gains by fol...

You ever see those guys in the gym drinking colored water and wonder to yourself, what the F*** is that?? or whether or not it actually is providing any form of enhancement to their training? Look no further, listen to Dr. Arvin break down the spicy science behind what that colored water (BCAA) really is and whether or not its just a gimmick or whether it DOES actually improve your performance.

The Machas are rotating onto a new topic this week and its also one of the more requested topics that we've received in our dm's along with last episodes topic. In this episode we get into detail about the anatomy of the shoulder muscle or in this case the muscles comprising of the rotator cuff. We delve deep into the mechanics behind each muscles action and how one might injure it during lifting....

An episode favorite of the people, Whey protein! Almost every gym goer out there is or has been taking whey protein but do you really know what whey protein is, or why its even necessary? how about that anabolic window that you hear people talking about? How does one choose between a regular whey, a whey isolate or a whey concentrate? So many questions when it comes to deciding whether or not you...

This episode covers the top 10 mistakes that most beginners make when joining their first Powerlifting meet. It's also one of the more requested topics from various people emailing us. In this episode Luke gives his insight into what he has experienced over the years both as a coach and a competitor. We believe that this episode will bring great insight to those of you out there looking at competi...

With the Movement Control Order (MCO) now being extended for a period of 2 weeks, many of us are getting restless at home. People are only allowed to go out to buy essential items such as groceries and only individuals which are part of the essential operating outlets and businesses are allowed to continue working. Times are tough, the cases are still continuing to rise, our hospitals are packed w...

What is the difference between a strain and a sprain? How does one get a hamstring injury and what does it mean for someone who gets a hamstring injury. In this episode we talk all about hamstring strains.

Without question, creatine is the gold standard by which all strength-related supplements are judged. Which is why we decided to dedicate our first ever episode to explaining everything there is to know about creatine, why would you consume it, who can benefit from it and how does it work. What are the common myths plaguing creatine? What are the side effects and is it safe to be consumed? Listen...

Introducing the Machas! Dr. Arvin and Luke Lango talk a little bit about themselves and why they started this podcast. Be sure to click the follow button and stay tuned for new episodes every week!