The Absolute Strength Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Eric Helms — coach, researcher, and author of the Muscle and Strength Pyramids to break down what's actually working in natural bodybuilding in 2025. We cover training, nutrition, and more, comparing the methods of the past with today's best practices. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!   Follow Eric: https://www.instagram.com/helms3dmj/   Sign up for the newsletter: http...

In this episode, Derek and I discuss how to train around nagging injuries and answer questions from listeners. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!   Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe   Coaching: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/ Training Programs: https://kylehuntfitness.shop/collections/programs Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at ht...

In this episode, Derek and I talk about the problems with the new science-based lifting crowd. Has it gone too far? Sit back, relax, and enjoy!   Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe   Coaching:  http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/   Training Programs: https://kylehuntfitness.shop/collections/programs   Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "H...

In this episode, Derek and I break down why barbell exercises are still the most effective way to build strength, muscle, and athleticism. We cover the big lifts, why they work so well, and how to get the most out of them in your training. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned lifter, this one will remind you why the barbell isn't going anywhere. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!   Sign up for the new...

In this episode of the Absolute Strength Podcast, Derek and I dive into the ongoing natty or not debate—why it matters, how it affects the fitness space, and our thoughts on calling out fake naturals. We also get into a bunch of random stuff as well . Sit back, relax, and enjoy!   Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe   Coaching: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/s...

Is workout nutrition still worth obsessing over? For a while, it was treated like gospel—pre-workout meals, intra carbs, post-workout shakes. Then the research shifted focus toward total daily intake, and the hype died down. But maybe we were too quick to move on. In this solo episode, I dig into what to eat before, during, and after training to support muscle growth, performance, and recovery. I...

In this episode, Derek and I tackle some big-picture questions that every lifter thinks about—starting with the only 10 exercises  we'd pick if we had to train with them for life. We also talk about how to know when it's time to switch programs (or stick with the one you're on), the one nutrition rule we wish everyone would follow forever, and whether chasing strength can hurt muscle growth. Plus,...

In this solo episode, I take a deep dive into the muscle-building philosophies that defined mid-2000s bodybuilding—programs like Max-OT, DoggCrapp Training, HST, and the classic bro split. I break down what those approaches got right, what still holds up today, and how we can blend that old-school intensity with the smarter, more individualized methods we use now. This episode is part nostalgia, p...

Have you ever heard the expression "you have to know the rules so you know when to break them?" In this episode, Kyle and Derek explore when it actually makes sense to deviate from the textbook fitness rules and go against the grain. Whether it's ditching strict form or not tracking training volume, we cover the gray areas that most lifters face but few talk about. Sit back, relax, and enjoy.    S...

In this episode, Kyle and Derek get real about what it actually takes to push past plateaus and stand out in th e gym. Sometimes you just gotta flip the switch and get a little crazy. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!   Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe   Coaching: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/   My Training Programs: https://kylehuntfitness.shop/collec...

Do you think you have to choose between looking jacked and moving like an athlete? In this episode, I break down what hybrid training really is — and how you can build a body that's strong, muscular, and capable of taking on anything life throws at you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!   The Hunt Fitness Method Hybrid Training Program: https://kylehuntfitness.shop/collections/programs/products/the-hunt...

In this episode, Derek and I dive into what nobody's talking about anymore — the actual training program . These days, everyone obsesses over exercise selection, fancy equipment, or the latest hack, but they forget the backbone of quality training: a smart , progressive plan. We break down why programming matters, what's missing from modern approaches, and how to bring back the structure that gets...

In this Q&A episode, Kyle and Derek answer listener-submitted questions on everything from mental toughness in the gym to dealing with imposter syndrome as a new coach. They dive into how to stop comparing your physique to others, share things they have changed their minds about, and tackle whether social media is helping or hurting lifters today. The episode wraps up with a fun—but surprisingly d...

->  Get 50% off your first Magic Mind subscription using the code ABSTRENGHT50 at https://www.magicmind.com/abstrenght50 It's not your macros, your workout split, or even your diet. If you're struggling to lose fat, chances are you're struggling to be consistent. In this episode, I break down why nearly every diet can work if you can stick to it and how to finally build the daily habits that lead...

Summer throws a wrench in most training routines—but maybe that's a good thing. In this episode, we break down why summer is actually the perfect time to rethink your fitness approach. Whether you're traveling, chasing your kids, hitting the beach, or just not feeling the usual routine, we talk about ways to stay consistent while mixing in new modes of training. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!   Grab...

In this episode, Derek and I dive into the mental health benefits of lifting weights . We talk about how training gives you more than just strength—it provides structure, stress relief, purpose, and a way to anchor your mindset when life feels chaotic. Whether you've used the gym to work through tough times or just feel better when you train, you'll relate to this one. It's not therapy, but it's c...

-> Get 50% off your first Magic Mind subscription using the code ABSTRENGHT50 at https://www.magicmind.com/abstrenght50   Athletic performance—and success in the weight room—comes down to four key components: physical, technical, tactical, and psychological.  Miss the mark on any one of these, and you're leaving results on the table. The trouble is that most lifters focus heavily on the physical w...

Let's face it — motivation comes and goes. In this episode, we break down how to show up and train hard anyway. Whether you're stressed, tired, busy, or just not feeling it, there are tools you can use to stay locked in and consistent. From gym atmosphere and training partners to pre-lift rituals and environmental cues — this is how to set yourself up to succeed, even on your worst days. Sit back,...

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Jason Selk, performance coach to elite athletes and bestselling author, to break down the mental side of high performance. We dive into two of his signature tools, the Success Log and the Mental Workout , which are designed to optimize your performance in just a few minutes a day. Jason also shares the mental benefits of cardio, why preparation is the key to conf...

In this Q&A episode, Derek and I answer your best questions from the month. We break down the influencer vs. expert debate—do you really need coaching experience to give good advice, or is looking the part enough? We also delve into the tension between science and real-world experience, how to approach biomechanics without overcomplicating your training, and the most effective way for lifters to a...

In this episode, I'm joined by Adam Whisler for a deep dive into the rise of artificial intelligence—not the sci-fi fantasy, but the real tools that are already reshaping how we work, learn, and create. We explore how AI can streamline your day, boost learning, and make you more effective in nearly every area of life. Whether you're a coach, a creator, or just curious about the future, this conver...

In this solo episode, I dive deep into HYROX—the fast-growing hybrid fitness race. Using insights from a recent research review, I explain the HYROX format, physiological demands, and what the science suggests about effective training for it. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!   Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe   Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness...

In this milestone episode, Kyle and Derek reminisce about nine years of The Absolute Strength Podcast —how it started, what's changed, and what advice they'd give their 2016 selves if they could go back to day one. Then, with Memorial Day around the corner, they shift focus to the Murph Challenge—breaking down what it is, how to approach it, and why you should do it. It's a fun episode. Sit back,...

In this episode, Ben Yanes joins me to discuss biomechanics and bodybuilding. We talk about how critical thinking and biomechanics go hand in hand when it comes to exercise selection, why blindly following popular movements doesn't always lead to better results, and how to train with more intent. If you're serious about building muscle, this conversation might make you rethink how you approach you...

In this episode of the Absolute Strength Podcast, Derek and I dive into science vs. bro science. More specifically, should you always follow what science says is optimal, or focus on what works for you? We explain  why bro science sometimes delivers real results, how evidence-based training can fall short in the real world, and why a blend of both is probably best. If you've ever wondered whether...