The Strength Log

Five Sets Once a Week vs. One Set Five Times a Week

Does it matter how you spread your training across the week? Two episodes ago, we looked at a study comparing the same training volume spread over one or three weekly wor

Are You Sleeping on Muscle Growth?

How much muscle growth are you missing out on by not getting enough sleep? In today's episode, we discuss a new scientific review exploring how sleep affects your hormone

Same Sets, More Workouts, Better Gains?

If you're doing nine sets for a muscle every week, does it matter whether you cram them into one workout or spread them across three? In today's episode, we discuss a new

How Much Should You Eat on a Bulk?

Can intermittent fasting help you build muscle without gaining too much fat? In today's episode, we review a new 12-week study comparing lifters who bulked with an eight-

Big Pecs, Big Bench?

If you add muscle mass to your pecs, will that mean you'll also be able to lift more weight in the bench press? In today's episode, we look at a new study of Paralympic

Do Muscles Compete for Growth?

If you train your legs hard, could they steal gains from your upper body? In today's episode, we discuss a new study that put the idea of muscles competing for growth to

How Many Calories Does It Take to Build a Kilogram of Muscle?

How many calories does your body actually need to build muscle? In today's episode, we discuss a new paper that attempts to calculate the energy cost of building a kilogr

Should You Ditch Squats and Deadlifts after 50?

Are squats and deadlifts bad exercise choices once you've turned 50, and would it be better to replace them with similar but easier lifts? In today's mailbag episode, w

The Muscle Growth Paradox

Let's dive into a fascinating new study on one of strength training's biggest questions: how much of your early strength gains come from bigger muscles, and how much come

10 Gym Debates We Can't Settle

In today's episode, we debate ten strength and fitness-related topics that science can't settle for us! How important are deloads really? Does exercise order matter a lot

The Science of Injury Prevention

No matter if you're an active athlete or you just enjoy living an active life, injuries are something you want to stay clear of. But are injuries a given part of both tra

How Much Weaker Are You When Fasting?

How does fasting affect your workouts? Do you still have the same strength, power, and endurance as when you are well-fed and hydrated? That's what a new study sought t

Strength Training for Running

Runners who strength train become muscle-bound and slow. Or, at least that is what many still seem to believe. But research into strength training for long-distance runne

Why Do People Hate Deadlifting?

Another week, another summer mailbag! And we have six great questions for you today, including ones about deadlifts, injury rehab, and sleep quality. See the timestamps b

If Building Muscle Is Easy, Why Is Everyone Stuck?

Summer mailbag time, and you guys and gals sent us a bunch of great questions once again! The first one deals with the hidden gap between fitness science and real life: I

The Road to Your First Pull-Up

Getting your first pull-up or chin-up is a major milestone for most people who train. But how do you go about it effectively and quickly? In today's episode, we present

Vacation Training: How Little Can You Get Away With?

Summer vacation is coming up, and we gym rats start wondering how little strength training we can get away with without losing muscle mass and strength.  And what if we

Can Strength Training Help Overweight Kids?

Strength training is among the best things you can do to improve your health, and that goes for both adults and children. But what kind of effects does strength training

Is the Mind-Muscle Connection Real?

If you focus on feeling your muscles work while lifting, can you increase their activity and grow them faster? In bodybuilding, this concept is known as the mind-muscle

Pros & Cons of Starting Strength

Starting Strength is probably the most famous strength training program in the world, and a huge reason that barbell lifting took off 15-20 years ago. But is it really