Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
Mike Matthews
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Top 10 Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Ep. #1111: Bret Contreras on Squats vs. Hip Thrusts for Glute Gains
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
08/23/23 • 53 min
If you want to grow your glutes, and you’ve looked around online for tips, you’ve almost certainly come across hip thrusts.
But are they better than squats for getting a bigger butt? Should you do squats or hip thrusts?
Well, after years of speculation among booty-building enthusiasts, we now have a scientific study that directly compared hip thrusts and squats in terms of hypertrophy.
And I thought, who better to discuss this study than “The Glute Guy” himself, Dr. Bret Contreras. Not only is Bret a glute training expert, but as the cherry on top (or should I say peach?), he was actually one of the head honchos involved in conducting the study.
In case you're not familiar with Bret, he's a PhD in Sports Science, renowned researcher, educator, bestselling author, and a personal trainer for over two decades, whose title "The Glute Guy" reflects his unmatched expertise in lower body training, making him the foremost authority on building a great butt.
Our discussion includes . . .
The surprising results of the hip thrust versus squats study, including how they compare for glute hypertrophy and non-specific strength transfer
Bret's take on a potentially fabricated study that stirred the fitness community
The benefits and challenges of studying beginner trainees
An exploration of training the glutes at varied muscle lengths
The relationship between EMG studies and muscle hypertrophy
-The importance of technique over "feeling the burn" in compound movements
Nuanced insights into the complexities of muscle growth mechanisms
Practical strategies for those seeking to optimize their glute training
And more . . .
So, if you want to learn about the nuances of glute training and how to grow a bigger butt, or want to know what the science says about hip thrusts versus squats, don’t miss this episode!
Timestamps: (0:00) - Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe!
(2:39) - Why was this research essential, and what drove its inception?
(13:59) - What's the rationale behind focusing on novice trainees?
(17:58) - How would outcomes differ with more advanced lifters?
(25:49) - Shop Legion Supplements Here: https://buylegion.com/ and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
(28:59) - The role of EMG in predicting muscle hypertrophy.
(31:42) - EMG's Relevance in Bodybuilding Science
(35:04) - How does this study redefine our understanding of biomechanics and other exercises?
(39:22) - What larger impacts does this study have on fitness research?
(45:13) - Additional insights from the findings and final thoughts.
(49:35) - How to connect with Bret Contreras and his work.
Mentioned on the Show:
The study: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.06.21.545949v1
Shop Legion Supplements Here: https://buylegion.com/ and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
Bret Contreras’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretcontreras1/
1 Listener
Ep. #1151: Jordan Syatt on Achieving Holistic Health
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
05/29/24 • 94 min
It’s tempting to view health as a purely physical pursuit, especially in the age of social media and constant visual stimuli.
We often associate being healthy with having a fit physique, but health doesn’t mean having abs or being the strongest person in the gym.
True health encompasses much more than just our physical appearance or exercise habits, and it's essential to keep an open mind and adapt our perspectives as we grow and learn.
In this episode, Jordan Syatt, former competitive powerlifter, renowned fitness coach, and fitness industry veteran and entrepreneur, shares his journey of redefining what it means to be truly healthy.
In this conversation, we explore . . .
The evolving definition of health and how Jordan's perspective has changed over the years The significance of incorporating mobility work and flexibility training for long-term health and well-being The role of community and engaging in difficult conversations for personal growth and mental well-being Strategies for having productive difficult conversations with yourself and others Practical tips for managing stress in an increasingly complex and demanding world And more . . .So, if you're ready to challenge your perceptions of health and discover new ways to optimize your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, click play!
--- Timestamps:
(0:00) Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe!
(3:10) Try Pulse today! Go to https://buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
(05:25) What does it mean to be a healthy person, and how has that changed for Jordan Syatt over the years?
(10:19) How is Jordan thinking about health now? What are the new aspects of a healthy life?
(17:11) Why is flexibility important? How do you improve your flexibility?
(20:56) Is stretching a waste of time if you lift weights regularly?
(25:01) What resources should people look into for improving flexibility?
(29:14) How does body composition fit into Jordan's view of health, and how has that changed?
(36:33) The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation: https://mfl.show/motivation
(38:06) What is the importance of community, having difficult conversations, and their impact on overall health?
(39:33) What are "difficult conversations"?
(43:00) Has having difficult conversations caused issues in Jordan's life?
(59:59) How does Jordan go about having difficult conversations with himself productively?
(1:08:04) How does Jordan prevent negative self-talk from spiraling out of control?
(1:24:57) How can you cope with and reduce stress?
(1:32:24) Where can people find Jordan Syatt and his work?
(1:32:46) Find the Perfect Strength Training Program for You: www.muscleforlife.show/trainingquiz
(1:33:33) Subscribe and please share the podcast with a friend! www.mfl.show
--- Mentioned on the Show:
Legion Pulse: https://buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation: https://mfl.show/motivation
Find the Perfect Strength Training Program for You in Just 60 Seconds: http://www.muscleforlife.show/trainingquiz
The Inner Circle: www.sfinnercircle.com
Jordan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syattfitness/?hl=en
The Jordan Syatt Mini-Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jordan-syatt-mini-podcast/id1348856817
Lucas Hardie Range of Strength’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rangeofstrength/?hl=en
1 Listener
Ep. #1156: Simon Hill on the 10 Must-Track Health Metrics for a Longer Life
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
07/03/24 • 80 min
What are the top ten “biomarkers” that can help you predict how long and healthy your life will be? And how can you track and improve these to increase your chances of a healthier, longer life?
In this episode, I chat with Simon Hill, a physiotherapist, nutrition scientist, podcaster, and author of The Proof is in the Plants. We discuss his "Living Proof Challenge," a 12-week program aimed at fostering habits that enhance both physical and mental health, lower the risk of chronic diseases, and help you live a longer life.
In this episode, you’ll learn . . .
And more . . .
So, whether you're aiming to enhance your longevity, optimize your health, or deepen your understanding of the biomarkers that predict lifespan, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical tips.
Timestamps:
(4:20) What are the ten most important biomarkers for longevity and why do they matter?
(15:58) Are there other factors that influence fat distribution toward visceral fat?
(24:23) Does lack of sleep correlate with the accumulation of visceral fat?
(32:07) How important is cardiovascular health for longevity?
(44:18) Is it true that eating a significant amount of dietary fat can improve your hormonal profile?
(45:51) What practical steps can people take to slow cholesterol accumulation?
(48:14) The truth about seed oils
(50:45) Why is consuming large amounts of butter unhealthy?
(55:51) What is VO2 Max and why does it matter?
(01:00:09) How does strength training relate to VO2 Max?
(01:04:36) Why is blood pressure important for longevity?
(01:09:11) Should people measure APOB and VO2 Max?
(01:15:58) Where can people find you and your work?
Mentioned on the Show:
1 Listener
Ep. #832: Dr. Bill Campbell on Re-Evaluating the Science of Rapid Fat Loss
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
11/24/21 • 65 min
In this podcast, I chat with scientist and friend Dr. Bill Campbell about a new study on rapid fat loss that came out of his lab.
In case you’re not familiar with Dr. Campbell, he’s a professor of Exercise Science and the Director of the Performance & Physique Enhancement Laboratory at the University of South Florida, who’s also published more than 150 scientific papers.
In other words, Dr. Campbell is busy conducting studies that test questions many of us have with answers we all want to know.
His latest study on rapid fat loss is a prime example. While most of us want to strip away fat as quickly as possible, we also don’t want to lose our hard-earned muscle in the process. So the question is, how aggressive should we be during a cutting phase to maximize our fat loss benefits and minimize any negative consequences of being in a deficit.
And that’s exactly what Dr. Campbell’s latest study looked at and the results actually changed his mind about rapid fat loss. In this episode, Dr. Campbell describes the study, the results, practical tips you can implement to lose fat as quickly as possible, and what future studies on this topic might look like.
So, if you want to learn about the latest research on losing fat fast without shriveling into an atrophied raisin of your former self, don’t miss this episode! Press play and let me know what you think.
Timestamps:
15:28 - Why did the study you conducted change your mind about rapid fat loss?
16:21 - How big of a deficit can you go into and for how long?
17:30 - What do you consider to be an aggressive deficit?
24:15 - What were the results of the study?
29:52 - What were the effects on RMR?
32:32 - How does this compare to protein-sparing modified fasts? What is a practical use for this rapid fat loss?
40:44 - What is the constrained energy model?
47:44 - What did training look like in your study?
49:10 - How was compliance among participants?
50:17 - How did people feel on the diet?
57:47 - Where would you implement this rapid fat loss in a cutting phase? At the beginning of a fat loss phase? Near the end?
1:02:02 - Where can people find you and your work?
Mentioned on the Show:
Bill Campbell’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billcampbellphd/
Building Your Ultimate Body: https://cleanhealth.edu.au/shop/bill-campbell-building-your-ultimate-body/
BLACK FRIDAY SALE!
Shop Legion Supplements Here: https://buylegion.com/
Ep. #222: Motivation Monday: Opportunity Doesn’t Knock–It Whispers
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
01/29/18 • 16 min
This episode is part of a weekly series that I have dubbed “Motivation Monday.”
(Yes, I know, very creative of me. What can I say, I’m a genius...)
Seriously though, the idea here is simple:
Every Monday morning, I’m going to post a short and punchy episode that I hope gets you fired up to tackle the workouts, work, and everything else that you have planned for the week ahead.
As we all know, it’s one thing to know what you want to do, but it’s something else altogether to actually make yourself do it, and I hope that this series gives you a jolt of inspiration, energy, and encouragement to get at it.
So, if you like what you hear, then make sure to check back every Monday morning for the latest and greatest installment.
Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!
Click here: www.muscleforlife.com/signup/
Ep. #221: Everything You Need to Know About Estrogen Blockers
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
01/26/18 • 23 min
You’re probably here because you want to gain muscle or lose fat faster and you’re wondering if estrogen blockers can help.
You’ve probably also seen fantastical claims about what these drugs and supplements can do to your physique.
You’re not alone.
Thousands of others are searching about estrogen blockers every day, too, because they’ve heard the same blarney that brought you here.
And in this episode, we’re going to get to the bottom of it all.
Now, the war against estrogen is at a fever pitch these days because it’s riding on the coattails of its big brother, testosterone, which is also on a lot people’s minds.
It’s common knowledge that raising your testosterone levels can help you gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster, which is why more and more people are snapping up testosterone booster supplements and signing up for testosterone replacement therapy.
Most people also know that raising testosterone levels also raises estrogen levels, and that high estrogen levels is generally associated with higher levels of body fat, erectile dysfunction, and feminizing effects like gynecomastia.
Furthermore, it’s also often assumed that lowering estrogen levels in and of itself can improve body composition and virility, and especially in people that are “estrogen dominant” and thus incapable of gaining any considerable amount of muscle and strength.
Is all the estrogen hype warranted, though? And are estrogen blocking drugs and supplements effective, safe, and legal, like many people claim?
Well, here’s the long story short:
Synthetic estrogen blockers absolutely work. With the right drugs, you can plunge your estrogen to rock-bottom levels.
Unfortunately, however, that isn’t going to help you build a better physique, and it’s going to screw up your health, to boot.
And what about natural estrogen blockers?
Well, they’re even more worthless in that they won’t even significantly impact your estrogen or testosterone levels, let alone help you gain muscle or lose fat faster.
By the end of this episode, you’re going to understand all this and more, so let’s start at the top...
5:39 - What is estrogen?
7:01 - What are estrogen blockers?
9:38 - How do pharmaceutical estrogen blockers work?
11:31 - Why are estrogen blockers popular?
17:08 - Are estrogen blockers safe?
Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!
Click here: https://www.muscleforlife.com/signup/
Ep. #1136: Lyle McDonald on the Truth About Training to Failure
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
02/14/24 • 94 min
The debate around training to muscular failure has raged for decades. Is it necessary? Is it practical? Is it safe?
Expert opinion is all over the map, ranging from one extreme of low-volume, maximum-intensity, “beyond-failure” training to the other of high-volume, low-intensity, “never-even-close-to-failure” training; and every degree and permutation in between.
Which philosophy is right? Or at least the most right? And more importantly, which is right specifically for you and your circumstances and goals? That is, are you training hard enough to efficiently and effectively achieve your goals?
In this episode, renowned expert Lyle McDonald settles these questions and more, including what true muscular failure is (physiologically); why, in some ways, proximity to failure in training matters more than many other programming variables like load and rep ranges; why many people could benefit from more proximity to failure in their training rather than less; and more.
And in case you're not familiar with Lyle, he’s a health and fitness researcher and author, and one of the godfathers of evidence-based fitness space whose work has greatly influenced my own, especially in the beginning of my career.
In this interview, you'll learn:
What failure is (technical, muscular, and volitional failure) and why proximity to failure is such an important factor in training for muscle growth
How close you need to be to failure for maximal muscle fiber recruitment and growth
The effects of training to failure on fatigue and how that interplays with training volumes
Whether “beyond failure” techniques like dropsets and forced reps can be effective when controlled
How to gauge and achieve effective reps for enhanced muscle development
Guidance on the optimal proximity to failure for sustainable results
Practical tips for reaching the optimal proximity to failure and incorporating variety in training to maintain long-term progress
How often you should test true failure to ensure your training intensity is sufficient
And more . . .
Whether you’re seeking to optimize your workouts or someone curious about the science behind muscle growth, this myth-busting discussion will give you science-based clarity on one of fitness's most persistent debates.
So give it a listen and you'll be far better equipped to gauge your workout intensity and program it sustainably for better gains.
Timestamps: (0:00) - Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe!
(3:20) - Why is Training to Failure Crucial for Muscle Growth?
(08:29) - What Does Muscle Failure Really Mean and How Does It Impact Growth?
(24:00) - Is Proximity to Failure More Important Than Your Workout Program?
(33:11) - How Can You Optimize Volume and Reps for Maximum Muscle Growth?
(43:06) - Save 25% on Pulse and Recharge! Go to buylegion.com and use code MUSCLE
(44:33) - Why Are Rest Times Crucial for Maximizing Training Effectiveness?
(54:05) - How Do You Recognize and Achieve True Muscular Failure?
(1:01:41) - What Are Reps in Reserve and How Can They Optimize Your Training?
(1:11:35) - How Can You Accurately Identify a True Failure Rep?
(1:14:34) - Are Forced Reps and Other “Beyond Failure” Training Techniques Effective?
(1:23:00) - Why Is Variety Important in Your Training Regimen?
(1:32:01) - Where to Find Lyle McDonald’s Work?
Mentioned on the Show: Save 25% on my pre-workout Pulse and post-workout Recharge now! Go to https://buylegion.com/ and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% on any non-sale items or get double reward points!
Lyle’s Website: https://bodyrecomposition.com/
Ep. #219: Research Review: Dr. Mike Zourdos on Training to Failure
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
01/24/18 • 36 min
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Mike Zourdos who’s an assistant professor of Exercise Science at Florida Atlantic University, published researcher, and competitive powerlifter, as well as the head Powerlifting coach at Florida State University.
Mike also produces a fantastic monthly research review along with Dr. Eric Helms and Greg Nuckols, called MASS (www.strongerbyscience.com/mass), and in this interview, Mike is going to break down one of the studies analyzed in their review.
The study he’s going to discuss is on training to failure, and in this discussion, Mike explains what training to failure is, how it relates to muscle growth, how necessary it is, how to best incorporate it into your training, and more.
6:36 - What is the study of training to failure and is it necessary
13:02 - When should you incorporate training to failure?
20:24 - How does training to failure effect strength and muscle growth?
27:10 - Does cardio with HIIT harm or improve muscle hypertrophy?
31:26 - Where can people follow you and find your work?
Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!
Click here: https://www.muscleforlife.com/signup/
Ep. #215: Is Weightlifting or Cardio Best for Weight Loss?
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
01/18/18 • 13 min
I have a rather long list of things in the fitness space that annoy the shit out of me.
To name a few...
- Starvation dieting
- Low-carb mania
- Most fitness magazines
- The cult of “clean eating“
- “Weight loss foods“
- Supplement shenanigans
- Celebrity workouts
- Most weightlifting advice given to women
If you feel the same way, you’ve come to the right place. We were tarred with the same brush.
And in this episode, we’re going to talk all about exercise and weight loss and how to best go about it.
I have good news, too.
You can reach your goals without sacrificing your life to the treadmill.
In fact, you can get as lean as you want without ever doing more than a couple hours of cardio per week.
(You can eat foods you actually like, too.)
If that sounds too good to be true, I understand.
Suspend your disbelief, though, and in ten minutes, you’ll know things most people will never know about not just losing weight but building a body they can be proud of.
Let’s get to it.
Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!
Click here: https://www.muscleforlife.com/signup/
Ep. #220: “Muscle Memory” is Real and Here’s How It Works
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
01/25/18 • 15 min
If you’ve spent any amount of time lifting weights, taken a break for a bit, and then started back up again, you probably noticed that you seemed to regain strength and size much quicker than the first time around.
Well, this isn’t your mind playing tricks on you–the acceleration in progress is a scientifically verified phenomenon often referred to as “muscle memory,” but what is actually going on?
Neurological mechanisms can explain the rapid regain of strength, but not muscle size. Do muscle fibers have some sort of “memory” of their previous, more conditioned states? Or is something else responsible for these effects?
Let’s find out.
Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!
Click here: https://www.muscleforlife.com/signup/
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FAQ
How many episodes does Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews have?
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews currently has 1183 episodes available.
What topics does Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Fitness and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews?
The episode title 'Ep. #1111: Bret Contreras on Squats vs. Hip Thrusts for Glute Gains' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews?
The average episode length on Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews is 41 minutes.
How often are episodes of Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews released?
Episodes of Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews are typically released every 2 days.
When was the first episode of Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews?
The first episode of Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews was released on Dec 18, 2014.
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