Joe DeFranco's Industrial Strength Show

After training in his 100-degree garage gym for weeks, Joe decided to do something he hadn't done in over 25 years — join a commercial gym. What happened next completely caught him off guard.  In this episode, Joe shares how one air-conditioned workout turned into an accidental self-experiment that changed the way he thinks about heat acclimation, conditioning, and recovery. He explains the scienc...

A longtime listener recently dug through his collection of Joe's old Ask Joe Q&A's, T Nation articles, and EliteFTS posts from over 20 years ago… and he challenged Joe to critique his own advice!  In this episode, Joe revisits five classic topics - including box squats, vertical jump training, free weights vs. machines, strength vs. hypertrophy principles, and full-body training splits - to answer...

In this episode, Joe D. explains why one of the most common warm-up mistakes is actually making lifters weaker before their work sets even begin. He shares a smarter approach to programming warm-up sets for better strength, more muscle, and improved performance -- while revealing the exact warm-up progression he used before hitting a recent PR with the 100-pound dumbbells.  Joe then breaks down th...

This week, Joe celebrates his 51st birthday by sharing 15 lessons, principles, and beliefs that have stood the test of time throughout his life and 30-year coaching career. In this episode, Joe discusses why strength training is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth, why most people need less intensity and more consistency, why joint-friendly training IS performance training, the import...

We've all been there… You slept like crap, you're exhausted, and you've got a workout scheduled. So what should you do? Skip the workout? Push through as planned? Or modify it? In this episode, Joe answers a listener question regarding the best way to train when sleep-deprived. Specifically, should you reduce volume or intensity when recovery is compromised? Along the way, Joe discusses why relyin...

What if you could get 30 years of coaching experience condensed into one training tip per body part? This week, Joe takes on a unique challenge from a listener: Give the single BEST piece of training advice for every major muscle group - Chest, Back, Traps, Shoulders, Triceps, Biceps, Quads, Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves and Abs - in just 2-3 minutes per category. No overthinking. No research papers....

On this week's episode Joe & Smitty introduce the world to Derek Medeiros, aka, this year's SB911 GRAND CHAMPION! Highlights from this conversation include: Derek's mindset going into the SB911 Transformation Contest; How losing both of his parents affected Derek's life and his approach to fitness; The hardest part of the 12-week transformation challenge; What kept Derek going when motivation disa...

On this week's show a listener asks Joe to review a workout that his son got from a popular "fitness influencer"...and Joe does NOT hold back with his critique! After dismantling the program, Joe fixes it and then explains how to spot a program written by a true PRO versus a gym BRO. *For a full list of Show Notes w/ Timestamps visit  www. IndustrialStrengthShow.com . IMPORTANT LINKS Lean Bastard...

On this week's show Joe covers 4 topics: 1) How to kill your nighttime cravings WITHOUT killing your gains (Joe shares 4 of his favorite high protein, easy-to-prepare bedtime snacks that'll get ya jacked!) 2) How to train your lateral delts, biceps and triceps with just your BODY WEIGHT! 3) What's Joe currently training for? (The answer might surprise you LOL!) 4) The single most UNDERRATED set/re...

Joe kicks off this week's show with 3 big announcements regarding the  Iron Business Blueprint , this month's  "MuscleUp" supplement sale  &  NEW MERCH!  He then answers 3 listener questions. Specific topics include: 1) Cardio vs Weights for Fat Loss 2) The best way to develop visible abs 3) The difference between "training to failure" vs "0 RIR"... And MORE! *For a full list of Show Notes + Times...

On this week's show Joe D. & Chris Tutela shatter some of the most common myths & misconceptions surrounding gym ownership. More specifically: 1) You can't scale without compromising your programming/results 2) You must choose between "high quality" or "high volume" - You can't have both 3) If you raise your prices, you'll lose clients 4) More leads equals more money and success 5) Newbies can't t...

Joe is back from Vegas and on this week's podcast he's sharing all the behind-the-scenes stories from his trip! Other topics discussed include "the 2-exercise warm-up that had Joe's shoulders feeling brand new" & "the 3 training rules Joe breaks every week!" *For a full list of Show Notes + Timestamps visit  www. IndustrialStrengthShow.com . IMPORTANT LINKS Join Joe's email list Team Forever Stron...

Most chin-up advice you'll find online is either incomplete or complete bullsh*t! In this week's episode, Joe breaks down what actually works (based on his 30 years of real-world results.) Whether you can't do a single rep or you've been stuck at the same number of reps - Joe explains exactly how to break through your plateau! First, he lays out his proven 4-phase progression to help you get your...

This week Joe clears up the confusion regarding 3 popular [yet misunderstood] topics: #1) Does building more muscle enable you to have more dietary freedom - without negative consequences? #2) Does grip strength REALLY predict lifespan? #3) The real-world TRUTH about Time Under Tension and hypertrophy... PLUS, Joe's "Upside-Down Plank Challenge!" *For a full list of Show Notes + Timestamps visit ...

This week Jim "Smitty" Smith returns to the Industrial Strength Show to discuss all things programming! You'll hear Joe & Smitty go back and forth as they share 4 aspects of programming that they feel lifters get wrong - especially after the age of 40. Then they revisit the 6 "relative strength standards" before ending the show with an exciting announcement regarding their newest TFS program [whic...

Most people THINK they're doing "Contrast Training," but in reality they're just doing a sloppy circuit that kills power, reinforces bad mechanics, and increases their risk of injury! So on today's show, Joe explains exactly what Contrast Training is supposed to look like...and how to implement it the RIGHT WAY! Consider today's episode your FREE Power/Speed Masterclass! *For a full list of Show N...

On this week's show Joe gives his nuanced take on the viral clip of a Texas Tech football player revealing that their strength coaches removed all light weights (5-35lbs) from their weight room! You don't wanna miss what Joe has to say about this controversial topic! *For a full list of Show Notes & Timestamps visit  www. IndustrialStrengthShow.com . IMPORTANT LINKS Texas Tech BANNED Weights Under...

Joe is back from St. Louis and on this week's show he explains how he's ALWAYS able to have a great workout - even in the worst [most poorly equipped] hotel gyms! This includes his "Top 10 techniques for making light weights feel heavy" - along with other tips & tricks that will ensure you'll always make the BEST gains...even in the WORST gyms! *For a full list of Show Notes + Timestamps visit www...

After 9 long years Bret Contreras, aka, "The Glute Guy" returns to the Industrial Strength Show...and he & Joe have a LOT to talk about! Here are a few of the topics you'll hear discussed during their 2-hour conversation: The early T-Nation days; How to "make it" in the fitness industry (Then vs Now); The wildly popular piece of equipment that Bret put in storage and Joe ended up selling; How Bret...

On this week's show Joe continues the Q&A he started last week. After venting about the amount of shoveling he's done over the past 48 hours, Joe answers the following questions: Q1) Can you still bench press if you have a tear in your supraspinatus tendon? Q2) Is there any benefit to reducing weight and increasing reps for men over 50? Q3) What's the best way to get a young kid started in the gym...

This week Joe answers 6 listener questions. Specific topics include: Q1) Thoughts on the 5-day split: Upper/Lower/Push/Pull/Legs? Q2) What are the biggest mistakes you see new gym owners make? Q3) What is the most common mistake you see young college S&C coaches make? Q4) Why do you think there is such a disconnect between Physical Therapists and S&C coaches? Q5) Have you come across anything onli...

On this week's show Joe shares 10 [ridiculously simple] ways to improve your health. NOTE: There are NO "gimmicky products" or "biohacks" on Joe's list. Unlike social media that prioritizes engagement over truth - Everything discussed on this show is TRIED & TRUE. If you follow the advice on today's show you WILL become a healthier human :) *For a full list of Show Notes w/ Timestamps visit  www....

On this week's show Joe welcomes back former DeFranco's Gym head coach and current Detroit Lions S&C coach Cameron Josse. Cam discusses a wide variety of topics including: How he prepared (and crushed) his NFL job interview; Is Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell the same "IRL" as he seems on TV?; Did anything surprise Cam once he started working w/ the Lions?; What does "a day in Cam's life" lo...

On this week's show, Joe answers 4 listener questions. Specific topics include: 1) Two of the most overrated "health metrics" [and what you should pay attention to instead] 2) Bench pressing angle recommendations based on your specific type of shoulder pain 3) Joe's favorite plank variations for advanced trainees 4) Is Joe currently doing anything different with Triple H & Stephanie McMahon's prog...

On this week's show Joe reacts to a recent episode of "The View" where Dr. Ania Jastreboff & Oprah Winfrey state that, "Obesity is NOT a choice, it's a DISEASE." Joe does not hold back as he shares [what he believes to be] the real #1 cause of obesity, as well as the role genetics play in our health & body composition. *For a full list of Show Notes w/ Timestamps visit  www. IndustrialStrengthShow...