The Absolute Strength Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Nick Smoot to catch up and talk training, life, and everything in between. We dive into his recent transition to hybrid training — how he's balancing strength, endurance, and everyday life, and what he's learned along the way.   Follow Nick: https://smootfit.substack.com/ https://www.instagram.com/smoot_fit/   Sign up for the newsletter: https://...

In this Q&A episode, Derek and I answer listener questions about training, motivation, and longevity in the gym. We talk about how to push intensity without constantly feeling beat up, what we'd do differently if we could restart our powerlifting careers, and whether it's still worth competing if you're not chasing elite numbers. We also share our go-to workouts for the days we don't feel like tra...

Alex Viada has been discussing hybrid training for over a decade, long before it gained popularity on social media. In this conversation, we explore what's fueling the hybrid training boom, how his thinking has evolved with experience, and why most people still misunderstand what hybrid training really is. Follow Alex: https://www.instagram.com/alex.viada/   Sign up for the newsletter: https://kyl...

The term "science-based " gets thrown around a lot in fitness, but most people using it don't actually think critically about what it means . In this episode, Ben Yanes and I talk about how to separate real evidence from buzzwords, spot red flags in fitness advice, and think smarter about who you trust.   Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe   Coaching: http://...

In this episode, Derek and I talk about how the fitness industry lost its way. What used to be about sharing knowledge, learning from experience, and helping people improve has turned into a game of algorithms, trends, and hot takes. We break down what changed, why authenticity still matters, and how to bring the focus back to real training and results. Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehunt...

In this week's Q&A, Derek and I sit down to tackle some fun and thought-provoking questions from the listeners. We dig into how to really know if you're training hard enough, the biggest lessons injuries have taught us, how to keep lifting exciting after two decades under the bar, and the weirdest things we've ever seen actually work in the gym. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!    Sign up for the newsl...

In this episode, I catch up with my longtime friend Nick Smoot. We look back on the early Hunt Fitness days, what it was like for him to be my protégé, and how he became one of the first wave of online coaches. It's mostly two friends swapping stories, but there are plenty of nuggets you'll take away.   Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe   Coaching: http://ww...

In this episode, I sit down with Matt McLeod to talk about taking risks, building deeper relationships, and stepping into the unknown. We dive into the power of big swings, how to embrace discomfort as a path to growth, and what it really means to live a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.   Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe   Coaching: http://www.kyle...

In this episode, Derek and I rate more fitness topics as overrated or underrated.   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 https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT    

In this episode, Derek and I run through the hottest fitness trends of 2025 and decide if they're overrated, underrated, or right on the money. From blood tests and hybrid training to electrolyte supplements and morning routines, nothing is off-limits. Expect hot takes, debates, and plenty of laughs along the way.   Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe   Coachi...

In this episode, I sit down with powerlifting coach Joe Stanek to unpack the current best practices in raw powerlifting. We dive into new programming strategies, nutrition, recovery, and the evolving culture of the sport. Whether you're competing on the platform or just looking to train smarter, you'll leave with practical insights you can use right away.   Sign up for the newsletter: https://kyle...

In this episode, Derek and I dive into how gym and fitness culture have changed over the years. We talk about what's been lost , what's been gained , and how to get the best of both worlds. 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/col...

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...