In this episode, Eric Trexler and Eric Helms discuss the latest updates in resistance training research, the evolution of training principles since 2009, and practical applications for trainers and athletes. They explore key points from the new ACSM position stand, the importance of training frequency, volume, and specificity, and reflect on how scientific understanding has advanced over the years. In this engaging discussion, Eric Trexler and Eric Helms explore the evolution of training philoso...
Apr 15, 2026•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 372
Join us for an in-depth discussion with Steve Hall & Eric Helms on supplement testing, polygraph use in bodybuilding, sleep optimization, and the power of acceptance in training and life. This episode offers practical insights for natural bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts looking to optimize health, performance, and mental resilience. If you're in the market for some new lifting gear or apparel, be sure to use code "MRR10" at elitefts.com for a 10% discount Chapters 00:00 Introduction and...
Apr 08, 2026•1 hr 11 min
In this episode, Eric Trexler and Eric Helms delve into the complexities of scientific research integrity, recent controversies in nutrition studies, and debunk common myths in health and fitness. They emphasize the importance of transparency, ethics, and critical thinking in science and everyday beliefs. In this episode, Eric Helms and Eric Trexler debunk popular myths in psychology, medicine, and animal behavior, exploring the science behind Stockholm syndrome, the hungry judge effect, stress ...
Apr 01, 2026•1 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 371
In this episode, Eric Helms and Eric Trexler explore the complexities of food labeling, energy absorption, and the impact of food choices on energy balance. They discuss a recent lawsuit against David protein bars, delve into scientific research on metabolizable energy, and practical strategies for dieting and food selection. If you're in the market for some new lifting gear or apparel, be sure to use code "MRR10" at elitefts.com for a 10% discount Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Updates 08:16 T...
Mar 25, 2026•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 370
Editorial note: We recorded this episode on March 4. This is an important detail for contextualizing the timeline of events discussed in this episode, as well as our understanding of the matter at the time of recording. Since we recorded this episode, the paper discussed has been officially retracted. We will provide additional updates on this story as they become available. Episode summary: Join Eric Trexler and Eric Helms as they dissect the chaotic rollout of a controversial study on LDL chol...
Mar 18, 2026•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 369
In this episode, Steve Hall and Eric Helms discuss the evolution of their podcast, the importance of community feedback, and the dynamics of online culture. They delve into personality traits that influence social media behavior, the misconceptions surrounding pop science, and the significance of evidence-based practices in coaching and bodybuilding. Eric shares insights about his new role in academia and the responsibilities that come with it, while also exploring the 1% factors that can lead t...
Mar 11, 2026•1 hr 15 min
In this episode, powerlifter Kjell Bakkelund shares his journey, strategic weight management, and insights into longevity and performance in powerlifting. Discover how he overcame setbacks, optimized nutrition, and maintained motivation over a 19-year career. If you're in the market for some lifting gear or apparel, please be sure to support our friends and save some money by using code "MRR10" for a 10% discount at elitefts.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction 07:57 The Weight Cut Experience and Its...
Mar 05, 2026•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 368
In this episode, hosts Eric Trexler and Eric Helms explore a wide range of topics including the culture of bodybuilding, the impact of step counts on health, protein intake nuances, and the effects of various performance-enhancing drugs. They also address common misconceptions and recent research findings, providing practical insights for fitness enthusiasts and professionals alike. Be sure to support us (and our friends!) by using code "MRR10" for 10% off your order at elitefts.com Chapters 00:...
Feb 27, 2026•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 367
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler and Eric Helms discuss perpetually hot topics in the fitness and bodybuilding community, focusing on recent research findings related to training at long muscle lengths and the implications of muscle swelling on hypertrophy reserach. They explore the nuances of lengthened bias training, the importance of sampling variance in research, and the impact of muscle swelling on hypertrophy measurements. If you're in the market for some new lifting gear or a...
Feb 18, 2026•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 366
Have you noticed that real life fitness culture is awesome, but online fitness culture sucks? Yeah, us too. In this episode, the Erics discuss why toxic online fitness culture is the way it is, leaning on actual scientific research on which personality types are dictating discourse and driving engagement. The conversation ends with practical tips for strategically cultivating a better experience on social media platforms. By the way - are you in the market for some fitness gear or apparel? If so...
Feb 12, 2026•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 365
In this episode, Eric Helms and Steve Hall engage in a deep conversation about their experiences in bodybuilding, academia, and personal growth. They discuss the challenges of naming their podcast, the impact of ADHD on Eric's life, and the importance of critical thinking in the fitness industry. The conversation also touches on the concept of imposter syndrome, the black-pilled perspective on muscle growth, and the significance of maintaining a positive mindset in training. Throughout the discu...
Feb 02, 2026•1 hr 22 min
In this episode of Iron Culture, Dr. Eric Helms and Dr. Conor Heffernan delve into the rich history of fitness and physical culture, exploring how exercise has evolved globally and the impact of historical figures on modern fitness paradigms. They discuss the globalization of exercise practices, the marketing strategies that have persisted since the 1890s, and the importance of understanding fitness history to inform current practices. The conversation emphasizes the interplay between science an...
Jan 27, 2026•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 364
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms and Eric Trexler discuss the recent changes to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) and the implications of these updates. They begin by addressing the shift in their podcast schedule, emphasizing the importance of mental health and balance in their work. The conversation then transitions into a detailed analysis of the new dietary guidelines, highlighting the complexities of the process behind their formulation. Helms critiques the influence of...
Jan 21, 2026•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 363
In this episode, Eric Helms interviews Shreenath Ganesh, the inaugural world champion in the short classic physique division at the WNBF Worlds. They discuss Shreenath's journey from India to becoming a champion, the rise of natural bodybuilding in India, the challenges faced by athletes, and the cultural perspectives surrounding bodybuilding. Shreenath shares his aspirations to promote natural bodybuilding and uplift fellow athletes in his community, emphasizing the importance of delayed gratif...
Jan 12, 2026•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms and Dr. Eric Trexler discuss the importance of self-experimentation in fitness, the history and significance of statistics in science, and the balance between skepticism and curiosity in science communication. They explore the claims made about self-experimentation, the role of statistical significance versus meaningful outcomes, and the necessity of integrating various sources of evidence in practice. The conversation emphasizes the importance of humi...
Jan 08, 2026•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 361
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms interviews WNBF Pro champions Eddie Saldana and Max Melchard, discussing their journeys in natural bodybuilding, the competitive mindset, and the culture of bodybuilding in Europe. They share insights on training, conditioning, and the importance of enjoying the process of bodybuilding. The conversation highlights the growth of natural bodybuilding and the unique challenges and experiences faced by competitors. If you're in the market for some lifting ...
Dec 29, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 360
In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Trexler and Eric Helms discuss various themes surrounding fitness, nutrition, and the importance of open discourse in the community. The conversation addresses criticism received from listeners, the role of cynicism versus skepticism in fitness discussions, and the necessity of engaging with differing perspectives for personal and professional growth. The episode concludes with a call for self-awareness and openness in navigating the complexities of fi...
Dec 24, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 359
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms is joined by natural bodybuilders Christine Reinhart and Sarah Oase, who share their journeys in the sport, their experiences at recent competitions, and the challenges faced in women's bodybuilding. They discuss the importance of camaraderie among competitors, the evolution of their training and competition strategies, and the significance of earning pro cards. The conversation highlights the need for greater visibility and support for women's bodybui...
Dec 17, 2025•1 hr 45 min•Season 1Ep. 358
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms is joined by world champions Heitor Sousa and Adão Martins to discuss their journeys in natural bodybuilding. They reflect on their experiences at the WNBF Worlds, the importance of community and support, and the lessons learned from both victories and setbacks. The conversation highlights their friendship, resilience, and the significance of never giving up in the pursuit of excellence in bodybuilding. They reflect on their successful competition year...
Dec 10, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 357
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler interviews Dr. John Rusin, a personal trainer and strength coach with a doctorate in physical therapy. They discuss Dr. Rusin's journey from working with professional athletes to focusing on general population training, emphasizing the importance of injury prevention and pain management. Dr. Rusin shares insights from his new book, 'Pain-Free Performance,' which outlines foundational movement patterns and the significance of individualization in trai...
Dec 03, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 356
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms interviews Oscar Moscat, a pro natural bodybuilder who shares his journey in the sport. Oscar discusses the importance of personal motivation, family values, and the balance between competition and self-improvement. He emphasizes the significance of finding what works for each individual in training and the camaraderie within the bodybuilding community. The conversation also touches on Oscar's training philosophy, his aspirations for the future, and hi...
Nov 26, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 355
In this episode, Eric Trexler and Eric Helms begin by discussing Helms' competition updates and the sad state of affairs in academic publishing (that is, scientific journals). Eric and Eric then take a deep dive into the complexities of central fatigue, systemic fatigue, the accumulation of fatigue, and deloading strategies. The conversation emphasizes the importance of personalized approaches to recovery and the role of intensity in achieving hypertrophy. They close by discussing misconceptions...
Nov 19, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 354
In this conversation, Eric Helms reflects on his recent competition experience, discussing the nostalgia of returning to a familiar stage and the significance of competing at a pro level. He emphasizes the importance of mindset during contest prep and the challenges of transitioning from a dieting phase to maintenance. The discussion also covers the psychological aspects of maintaining weight loss and the need for a lifestyle that supports health and fitness. Eric shares insights on setting real...
Nov 13, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 353
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler and Dr. Eric Helms discuss Helms' upcoming bodybuilding competition, his preparation journey, and the importance of nutrition and recovery. They delve into various topics including auto-regulated dieting, GI issues, mini cuts, step counts, energy expenditure, and more. If you're looking for some gym gear or apparel, please be sure to support our friends over at elitefts.com (and use code "MRR10" for 10% off your order) Chapters 00:00 Introduction (He...
Nov 06, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 352
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler and Eric Helms discuss significant updates in fitness research, particularly focusing on the constrained energy expenditure model and the effects of NSAIDs on muscle hypertrophy. They also revisit a prior episode about PhDs (how they're obtained and what they mean) by discussing the international differences in PhD programs. If you're in the market for some gym gear or apparel, be sure to support our friends at elitefts.com and use code "MRR10" for a...
Oct 29, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 351
In tonight's episode of Iron Culture, Dr. Eric Helms returns with stories from his competition and associated travels. Topics include jet lag, dehydration, miscalculated use of laxatives and sleep aids, getting stitches in a Taiwan emergency room, autographed Eric Helms trading cards, Eric's 5th place finish at a pro show, autoregulated dieting, and much more. If you're in the market for some new gym gear or apparel, be sure to check out our friends at elitefts.com - use our code (MRR10) for a 1...
Oct 22, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 350
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler interviews Wil Fleming, a level five senior international coach with USA Weightlifting. They discuss Wil's journey into Olympic weightlifting, the importance of mental resilience, and the technical aspects of teaching Olympic lifts. Wil shares insights on managing arousal levels during competitions, the significance of routines, and many other factors that contribute to successful weightlifting at the highest level. Be sure to support our friends ove...
Oct 15, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 349
A recent dust-up in the evidence-based fitness world has sparked a lot of discussion about credentials. How are they earned, what do they represent, and how do they impact the way we engage with someone's content, recommendations, or products? This episode of Iron Culture discusses all of that (and more). Be sure to support our friends over at elitefts.com by using our discount code (MRR10) to save 10% on your next order of lifting gear or apparel. Time stamps: 0:00 Intro 4:42 The big dust-up 10...
Oct 09, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 348
Helms has neglected to show up yet again, so Ep 347 is a solo show in which Dr Trex details a recent saga in which a paper about apple cider vinegar was retracted. The episode covers what the paper reported, how Trex & co pursued clarification, how the paper was eventually retracted, and (most importantly) what this means for "evidence-based" fitness. Even if you don't care about apple cider vinegar, there are important lessons to draw from an evidence-based view of fitness that acknowledges...
Oct 02, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 347
In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler welcomes back Eric Helms, who clarifies recent misunderstandings about his commitment to the iron game. Helms shares insights from his recent travels, including a global education event with TechnoGym in Bali, and discusses the importance of cultural experiences in fitness education. The conversation also covers strategies for managing jet lag during international travel, the mechanics of hypertrophy, and the significance of community in fitness. As ...
Sep 25, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 346
