Iron Radio

Many changes occur in this episode of Iron Radio, but with your help, the aural goodness is still rocking! Bear with the audio level variations and mic pops as the guys get it down - and let everyone know what you think on the Iron Radio Facebook Page. Rob, occasionally absent nowadays, submits his first ever CD review from the Great White North. There is no escaping the Mighty Fortress! Dr. L covers some actual science about the interaction between musical stimuli and the nervous system, and Phil lays down some ways that he uses music at Strength Guild. Get in on the info., tips and suggestions. Lonnie and Phil also offer some of their own favorite bands and tunes. What's motivating them lately? Find out! Tune in for a discussion of all things music and metal!

Do you take supplements or stimulants before training? Which ones work? Doctoral Candidate Jon Mike joins the guys to discuss a large list of pre-workout ingredients, nutrients and drugs. Substances that get attention include caffeine, ephedrine, clenbuterol, synephrine, arginine, creatine, carnosine, bicarbonate, beta-alanine, ammonia smelling salts, and more. The focus is on the scientific evidence and the conversation sticks to products that are specifically used for performance boosts. Time for some sciencey and practical knowledge bombs!

This week has the guys swinging the pendulum back to straight up metal talk. Phil just had his big meet, that's been months in the making, and he shares his experiences. The Topic of the Day is a spin off of Coach Stevens' meet, and delves into peaking for events. There's plenty to ponder. What's the best time frame for a final peaking cycle? Are there simple tips and tricks for the final two days before a contest? What does the science say about burning out adrenalin receptors prematurely? There's also discussion on the trade off between feeling good orthopedically versus neurally, last minute goofball mistakes that some guys do to make up for poor preparation, and more. Grab a Monster energy drink and pull up a bench for some shop talk!

Join a travel-weary Dr. Lowery as he interviews Professor Jeremy Fransen about the recent ASEP conference, and about research happening at his university. Before getting into too much science, Dr. Fransen shares his background and interests in competitive strongman events and in bodybuilding. Then listen for gold nuggets in the science that ensues. Topics include carb metabolism, inflammation, creatine, testosterone, multiple tips to acutely boost strength, intermittent fasting, and caffeine. This is a longer episode, despite the lack of sleep for both of these gentlemen, so enjoy!

Who were your mentors? What did they teach you? After some news, Dr. L, Phil, and Fortress talk about influences and guides that affected them. News topics range from controversy over ibuprofen as a strength booster, to high-glycemic carb concerns, to Fortress' public opinions on metal and bodybuilding, to Olympic lifters on the Biggest Loser show. Then, during the Topic of the Day, the guys wax philosophical about their own role models and mentors. The experience of disciplined instruction, the importance of multiple mentors, the power of music, and plenty more get attention. Join the conversation and think about who has influenced YOU!

From the IronRadio.org Facebook Listener's Page comes a request for simple training talk. What are the guys up to in the gym? Coming at the topic from different points in the training cycle, Phil, Lonnie and Fortress share thoughts. What is Phil doing in the critical two weeks before a meet? How is Dr. Lowery dealing with the relative boredom of a conditioning phase? And what is Fortress, ever the training connoisseur, doing systematically in the gym? Topics range from last-minute stupid mistakes that all musclesport athletes make, to early morning lifts, to the notion of long-term brewing momentum. Also addressed are issues like redlining, misguided encouragement from muscle magazines, and even a dietary supplement warning. And don't forget the random pizza orders! Pull up a bench and get in on the gym talk!

It's Fortress unleashed! This week IronRadio brings listeners over an hour of pure, unadulterated shop talk, largely thanks to Mr. Fortney. After some science news on the importance of brown adipose tissue for fat loss, the guys talk bodybuilding. Is the Mr. O in an identity crisis? Why? How do professional women's divisions decide what the heck they are looking for? And for that matter, is the newish men's physique category in a similar quandry? Then topics range from misguided multi-gram androgen use, to judging criteria, to the dirt that sometimes goes on behind the scenes. Physique enthusiasts rejoice! It's time again for Iron Radio.

Caution, potty mouth powerlifters at work. Phil and Lonnie talk to strength icon Dave Tate. From what's new with his business to his personal struggles with injuries and rehab, Dave pulls no punches. There are real lessons to be learned from these stories. Then, after the break, the guys all discuss the question, What's Realistic? The talk ranges all over. From supposedly healthy French fries, to various lifting regimes, to when it's time to change career goals, the discussion waxes philosophical. Come on in for your weekly dose of brains and brawn, with Dave Tate!

In this special presentation of geekery, Dr. L has an on-site chat with Dr. Josh Cotter and Doc Candidate Mike Nelson. Get in on this preview of what's coming down the pipeline in nutrition, including insights from a bodybuilding and strength perspective. The International Congress on Nutrition is the world class Olympic Games of nutrition science, held but once every four years. Topics that get attention include how to best squash inflammation before it gets a hold on you, the chronobiology of eating and strength, genetically personalized nutrition, what happens to the body fat of men vs. women as they diet, gene doping, Spanish foods, and more. ...PS - All the audio backgrounds herein are real, on-sight sounds from the Congressos and surrounding local flavor. Bienvenidos!

The Intrepid Triune is flung to the far reaches of the globe this week but the show must go on! Fortunately, execpt for a handful of regulars on the Iron Radio Facebook page, few have heard of an episode that was created, almost by accident, early this summer. When things looked darkest and the guys were sure the airwaves would go silent, Rob showed up and helped record what you are about to hear. Almost no one heard it, however, because somehow a second, full-lineup show got recorded that same week! But waste not, want not. Join Fortress and Lonnie in discussing a question that's close to all lifters' hearts - How much is too much? Enjoy!

Caution, potty mouth powerlifters at work. Phil and Lonnie talk shop with Jim Wendler. From low-protein Chinese diets, to the rise of raw powerlifting and females in the sport, to testosterone replacement for younger guys, Jim lays down some blunt opinions. The conversation also ranges through the necessity of doping, middle-aged lifting, training economy, recovery, and tons more. Even Miley Cyrus and Syria get attention! Come on in and have a chat with Jim Wendler!

Phil, Fortress and Lonnie have a fun conversation with Highland Games champion Matt Vincent. Early in the episode, the guys debate and laugh about all kinds of news, then they talk about dealing with travel. As a world class competitor who also has to travel for his job, Matt has learned some great tips and keeps a positive outlook on this sometimes weary endeavor. From holding a real job, to learning from distant top gyms, to reveling in the loophole sports we all enjoy, there is good stuff in this show. Sprinkle-in some science on ergogenic mouth rinses and how broccoli may save your joints, and you've got the latest installation of Iron Radio!

Phil and Lonnie offer news on the dangers of tanning spray, how the nervous system adapts at the highest level to training, and the apparent prevalence of Bigorexia. A new 1210 lb squat record - that's not a typo - also gets scrutiny. Facts and opinions fly. Then, in the Topic of the Day, the guys discuss five things they couldn't live without if transported to a desert island. Bodybuilding stuff, powerlifting equipment, motivational resources and more get brought along. What would YOUR list include? Join in, island girls, for the usual science, sport, and banter!

Fortress and Lonnie field thematic listener questions and learn from Dr. Jeff Stout. What do survival shows teach us about the importance of dietary protein? How long does a pre-mixed protein drink last in the fridge? Why do some clinicians differ from scientists when it comes to dispensing protein information? Then Dr. Stout shares research and facts on new lab techniques that assess muscle tissue growth, muscle memory, and how to prevent muscle loss at all ages. From youth and aging, to turning genes on and off, to HMB, to milk intake, there's lots to learn. Tune in and enhance your muscle quality!

The intrepid triune immediately launches into shop talk regarding health news and current events. There are usable tips to be had! Which longevity therapies work and which don't for lifters? Are you sabotaging your own sleep and thus training recovery? What's the public saying about scary meat heads who lift weights and brandish guns? Get in on the banter. Also, what does surprising new research say about our beloved red meat? Also,can you really swell your biceps girth nine-fold? Would you WANT to?! Finally, what do the guys think about the much-promulgated comeback of Jay Cutler? Time to get an Iron view of recent goings-on.

The Summer of Iron Women continues. Dr. L and Coach Stevens do the usual news reporting, then learn about high-intensity interval training (HIIT) from Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan. Should you consider a course of vitamin D supplementation before embarking on a period of hard training? Is there a ceiling dose of vitamin D, after which muscular benefits cease? And what are listeners saying and getting out of Iron Radio? Then, after the break, Dr. Smith-Ryan talks about aerobic conditioning, fat loss, and why she's converting from endless cardio to more intense pursuits. Abbie shares programming info for starting and progressing HIIT, what it does so efficiently for physiques, and even her own research on the topic! Join in for the usual shop talk and geekery.

Summer colds and jet lag not withstanding, Phil and Lonnie cover dietary supplement controversies in the news, then chat about Phil's trip to the Jr. Olympics. There's also stats on fast food intake, a little education on the shocking thermogenic chemical dinitrophenol, or DNP, and talk about over-the-counter designer steroids. Get in on the shop talk! Where do YOU stand on specialty supplements? How much fast food do you eat weekly? And do you think cup stacking is a productive sport? From consumer education to an open invitation to listeners regarding the Jr. Olympics, your weekly dose of Iron is upon you!

Lonnie, Rob and Phil offer news before talking to IFBB pro bodybuilder Christine Bongiovanni. First, cool new science gets attention. What vitamins and minerals have now been shown to offer most benefit from pre-post workout timing? What surprising new method of caffeine and carb administration could make you more powerful within mere seconds? And how is body mass index once again getting confused and abused? Then, during the Topic of the Day with Christine, how does a pro get clients ready for bodybuilding competition? From total weeks in prep to individualized fat loss strategies to final week water balance tweaks, Chris shares juicy info. And at the end, despite trying to table the discussion, posing mistakes get some discussion as well. Prepare for another episode of Iron Radio!

Lonnie and Phil share controversial news before talking to dietitian and strength coach Sean Casey. From free speech to whole grains to creatine foolishness, plenty gets attention. Then, Sean shares personal experience and a brief literature review on prolotherapy. What is it? Is it a legitimate alternative to surgery? Which athletes and even specific joints or tissues might benefit most? And being fair, what about real-deal effectiveness, side effects and cost? The guys take a critical eye; this is not a sales pitch. Tune in for the usual straight talk!

Phil and Dr. L share a little news then philosophize about technology and the essence of strength sports. From misleading food marketing trends, to the recipe for anabolic brownies, to the use of dextrose as a post-workout fuel, the usual news and science get attention. Then, what is technology doing to the essence of bodybuilding and powerlifting? Are strength lifestyles irrevocably changed? Have our sports splintered into new entities? And what do you do to stay positive as gear, drugs and other ergogenic aids pervade your training? Time to get deep!