Best Omar Isuf Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 320 - Myths Versus Theories in Exercise Science (ft. James Steele) 1:57:33

2h ago1:57:33

1:57:33

In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Helms and Eric Trexler engage in a lively discussion with Dr. James Steele about the evolving landscape of sports science, particularly focusing on the critiques of periodization and the importance of scientific theory in exercise research. They explore the philosophical underpinnings of scientific inquir…

1
Ep 319 - Bodybuilding Mortality Across the Eras (ft. Drs Conor Heffernan and Juan Carlos Cassano) 1:40:21

7d ago1:40:21

1:40:21

In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms and guests Conor Heffernan and Dr. Juan Carlos Casano delve into the intricate relationship between bodybuilding, performance-enhancing drugs, and athlete welfare. They discuss the historical context of bodybuilding, the cultural norms that have evolved over the years, and the alarming trends in mortality…

1
Ep 318 - Resistance Training as a Fat Loss Tool (ft. Dr. Mike Ormsbee) 1:39:45

7d ago1:39:45

1:39:45

In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Helms and Michael Zourdos engage in a deep discussion with Dr. Mike Ormsbee about the role of resistance training in fat oxidation and body composition. They explore how resistance training can be an effective tool for fat loss, the physiological mechanisms behind fat metabolism during exercise, and the i…

1
Ep 317 - Training Volume: How Much Is Enough? (ft. Dr. Eduardo De Souza) 1:23:35

7d ago1:23:35

1:23:35

In this episode, Drs Trexler and Helms are joined by Dr. Eduardo De Souza to discuss the complexities and misconceptions surrounding high volume training in the context of hypertrophy research. He shares insights from his extensive research background, emphasizing the importance of understanding participant experiences and the nuances of training v…

1
Ep 316 - Lengthened Biased Training: Time To Cut Bait? 1:38:40

26d ago1:38:40

1:38:40

In tonight’s episode of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler and Eric Helms discuss various topics related to fitness, training, and research. They share personal updates, including the toll that Helms' intense training regimen is taking on his face. The discussion then shifts to the upcoming NFL combine, highlighting the impressive athletic feats expected f…

1
Ep 315 - Training Hard Versus Training Smart 1:11:17

1M ago1:11:17

1:11:17

Iron Culture is officially part of the 3-plate club. In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Trexler and Eric Helms celebrate their milestone 315th episode while diving into various topics including testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), the efficacy of citrulline malate, training techniques for hypertrophy, managing tendinopathy, the health b…

1
Ep 314 - Science Is Broken (But Fixable) 1:12:02

28d ago1:12:02

1:12:02

This episode of Iron Culture begins with a rant/story by Dr. Trexler that highlights some issues with scientific publishing. He describes a study on apple cider vinegar, his MASS article criticizing the study, and the subsequent letter to the editor (and response from the original authors). This discussion is followed by a Q&A session with Dr. Helm…

1
Ep 313 - Is More (and More, and More) Protein Better for Muscle Retention? 1:43:15

1M ago1:43:15

1:43:15

In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Dr. Eric Helms and Dr. Eric Trexler are joined by Dr. Martin Refalo to discuss their recent meta-regression study on protein intake and its effects on muscle hypertrophy. They cover Martin's background, the initiation of the project, the methods used, and key findings, followed by a discussion of some critique…

1
Ep 312 - Muscle Soreness: What Does It Mean? (ft. Dr. Mike Zourdos) 1:34:57

1M ago1:34:57

1:34:57

In today's episode of Iron Culture, co-hosts Eric Helms and Eric Trexler are joined by MASS colleague Dr. Mike Zourdos. After a brief chat about bodybuilding, powerlifting, and college football news, the crew addresses a number of questions about topics including optimal protein intake, what soreness can (or can't) tell us, detraining & retraining,…

1
Ep 311 - The Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy 1:27:19

2M ago1:27:19

1:27:19

In Episode 311 of Iron Culture, hosts Dr. Eric Trexler, Dr. Eric Helms, and Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple deliver a comprehensive exploration of hormones, health, and performance optimization. The episode opens with a deep dive into recent research on stretching protocols and muscle adaptations, examining groundbreaking case studies that challenge conv…

101
Ep 310 - Are People Getting "Metabolic Stress" Wrong? 1:33:17

2M ago1:33:17

1:33:17

In today's episode, Drs Trexler and Helms discuss a wide range of fitness topics including metabolic stress, "the pump," targeting the different heads of the biceps, individualising diets and supplement protocols, maximal rates of fat loss, blood flow restricted training, the philosophy of science, and much more! We had some technical issues while …

1
Ep 309 - Finding the Volume “Sweet Spot” During Plateaus 1:35:11

2M ago1:35:11

1:35:11

In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms and Trex discuss a variety of evidence-based fitness topics. In this conversation, Dr. Trexler and Dr. Helms delve into the complexities of muscle gain, recovery, and the role of nutrition in performance. They discuss the nuances of identifying plateaus in training, the impact of training volume, the impo…

1
Ep 308 - The Future of Natural Bodybuilding (w/ WNBF Pros Alberto Nuñez and Steff Noble) 1:34:03

3M ago1:34:03

1:34:03

In this episode, Eric Helms is joined by returning guest, his fellow 3DMJ coach and WNBF Pro bodybuilder, Alberto Nuñez, who is also the male WNBF athlete rep. In addition, they are joined by first time guest Steff Noble, a WNBF Figure pro, experienced coach, and president of WNBF UK. The trio first reflects on what was arguably the most competitiv…

1
Ep 307 - Are Lengthened Partials Overrated? 1:37:03

3M ago1:37:03

1:37:03

In this episode of Iron Culture presented by MASS, Dr. Eric Trexler and Dr. Eric Helms explore the science and debate surrounding lengthened partials, a training technique often celebrated for its hypertrophy and strength benefits. Drawing on recent studies, they discuss how emerging evidence challenges some hyperbolic claims of lengthened partials…

1
Ep 306 - Mental Health, Physique Sports, and Fitness Coaching (ft. Laurin Conlin) 59:46

3M ago59:46

59:46

In this crossover episode of Iron Culture, co-hosts Danny Lennon and Eric Trexler are joined by fitness professional and fellow Sports Nutrition Association (SNA) advisory board member Laurin Conlin. Together, they dive into the complex relationship between mental health, physique sports, and fitness coaching. Laurin shares her personal experiences…

1
Ep 305 - What is Strength? (w/Drs. Adrian Kind, Conor Heffernan & Walter Veit) 1:27:45

4M ago1:27:45

1:27:45

Who is the strongest? Is it the person with the biggest Powerlifting total? Weightlifting total? The current Worlds Strongest Man/Woman Champion? Or, perhaps, the current Arnold Strongman Classic Champion? It’s an oft-debated question, typically occurring around the proverbial fitness water cooler. However, recently Dr. Kind, Dr. Veit, Dr. Hefferna…

1
Ep 304 - Beyond "1.6 - 2.2": Evidence-Based Protein Guidelines 1:32:42

4M ago1:32:42

1:32:42

In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Trexler and Eric Helms begin with a brief discussion of Trex's recent MASS article on the misapplication of modern pain science in the fitness industry. They then discuss the nuances of protein recommendations, debating the merits of using body weight versus fat-free mass as a basis for determining protei…

1
Ep 303 - Is the Obesity Epidemic an Evolutionary "Factory Error"? 1:40:40

4M ago1:40:40

1:40:40

This week we’ve got a MONSTER episode in the form of a live Q&A episode with Dr. Helms and Dr. Trexler. The Good Doctors begin with a recap of the recent WNBF World Championships, followed by an insightful discussion about whether or not humans have a “factory error” in our design that promotes obesity. This is followed by a number of listeners’ qu…

1
Ep 302 - Why We Believe Nutrition Lies 1:25:32

4M ago1:25:32

1:25:32

In this Iron Culture, Sigma Nutrition Radio, SNA crossover, Dr. Joe Klemczewski returns! Dr. Joe, possibly the first online bodybuilding coach and person to advise clients to track macros before IIFYM was an acronym, joins us to reflect on the past and help us navigate the future. In the modern information age, there is more information than ever, …

1
Ep 301 - A New Era for Iron Culture 1:26:18

4M ago1:26:18

1:26:18

Even among the many monster episodes of Iron Culture, today’s episode truly stands out. First, the MASS crew discusses this new era of Iron Culture and lets the cult know what they can expect as the show pushes forward and climbs to new heights. After that, the crew has an insightful discussion about the science of satellite cells – what they are, …

1
Ep 300 - The End of Iron Culture As You Know It (Omar Is Leaving) 1:22:41

5M ago1:22:41

1:22:41

I’m going to break the fourth wall here and speak directly to our dear listeners. When we started this podcast almost six years ago, I never imagined it would last this long or become such a fixture in the community. The goal was always to create a space aimed at enriching the listener's appreciation and understanding of lifting. I want to thank ev…

1
Ep 299 - Can You Legally Give Someone Macros? Nutrition Scope of Practice (ft. Danny Lennon and Alex Thomas) 1:02:52

5M ago1:02:52

1:02:52

In this Iron Culture/Sports Nutrition Association/Sigma Nutrition Radio crossover episode, host Eric Helms is joined by co-host Danny Lennon and guest Alex Thomas. Alex is the president of the Sports Nutrition Association who started this association years ago when he was rudely awakened to the fact that he couldn’t provide nutrition advice in his …

1
Ep 298 - Smart Nutrition for Brain Health and Function (ft. Danny Lennon and Dr. Shawn Arent) 1:26:18

5M ago1:26:18

1:26:18

In this Iron Culture/Sports Nutrition Association/Sigma Nutrition Radio crossover episode, host Eric Trexler is joined by co-host Danny Lennon and guest Dr. Shawn Arent. Dr. Arent is a professor and department chair at the University of South Carolina with a wealth of knowledge and research experience pertaining to nutritional strategies and supple…

1
Ep 297 - Is More Volume Always Better? (feat Josh Pelland PhD(c)) 1:49:10

5M ago1:49:10

1:49:10

In this crossover episode of Iron Culture and MASS Office Hours, Dr. Trexler is joined by special guest Josh Pelland, a coach for Data Driven and a PhD candidate at Florida Atlantic University, to discuss Pelland's recent meta-analysis which investigates the effects of training volume and frequency on hypertrophy and strength outcomes. These data h…

1
Ep. 296 - An Evidence-Based Look at Body Image and Self-Worth 59:49

5M ago59:49

59:49

There is a great deal of fitness content about strategically modifying your diet or changing your physique. Many of these strategies may appear to be simple on paper, but they are inseparable from the complexity of human perception and emotion. Whether we like it or not, diet or physique manipulation inherently interact with concepts relating to on…

1
Ep. 295 - Do Lifters Need Carbs? (with Dr. Cliff Harvey and Danny Lennon) 1:33:35

6M ago1:33:35

1:33:35

The Iron Culture universe is expanding! In this crossover episode the host of Sigma Nutrition Radio, Danny Lennon, joins Eric Helms to co-host! Dr. Cliff Harvey, who did his PhD on ketogenic diets at AUT, joins Danny and Eric to discuss the often conflicting research and anecdotes on the effect of carbohydrates on lifting performance, adaptations a…

1
Ep. 294 - All Around Lifting: The First Form of Competitive Lifting (with Drs. Conor Heffernan & Cliff Harvey) 1:25:52

6M ago1:25:52

1:25:52

Weightlifting came before powerlifting, but did you know weightlifting wasn’t exactly the first barbell sport? Or rather, did you know that the first iteration of weightlifting was VERY different than what we see today in the Olympics? The history of weightlifting is fascinating, and in this episode of Iron Culture Drs Conor Heffernan and Cliff Har…

1
Ep. 293 - What Causes Hypertrophy? 50:52

6M ago50:52

50:52

How do we know what we know? And do we know what we think we know? If your answer is “I don’t know,” then this episode is for you. In this classic-style episode, Omar and Helms sit down for a spirited chat on epistemology: the theory of knowledge, as it relates to hypertrophy. In the “evidence-based” world some people always claim to have things fi…

1
Ep. 292 - Cutting Edge Research on Volume, Protein & Cardio 1:07:20

6M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

Research moves slow, well, at least slower than we wish it did. But, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t also produce paradigm shifts that shake up practice. In this episode Dr. Helms and Dr. Trexler sit down to answer questions using research, most of which that is actually still in the publication process and not yet available. This research will have a…

1
Ep. 291 - Who is the Male Natural Bodybuilding G.O.A.T? 1:29:02

7M ago1:29:02

1:29:02

In this Iron Culture episode Dr. Helms sits down with fellow 3DMJ coaches and Iron Culture veterans Brian Minor and Alberto Nunez for a spirited debate about who they each think are the top 5 natural male bodybuilders of all time. Bodybuilding is where art and culture meet science, where science meets sport, and if you are a fan of natural bodybuil…

1
Ep. 290 - Is Caffeine an Overrated Supplement for Lifters? 56:20

7M ago56:20

56:20

Caffeine is incredibly popular among lifters and non-lifters alike. In a variety of cultures all across the globe (including the iron culture), caffeine is a daily staple. While most people use caffeine for a morning boost of energy, lifters have long used caffeine as a performance-enhancing supplement. There is a tremendous amount of evidence repo…

1
Ep. 289 - How Competitive is IPF Powerlifting? (with Panagiotis Tarinidis) 1:08:47

7M ago1:08:47

1:08:47

This week 2x 66kg IPF Open World Champion Panagiotis “Pana” Tarinidis joins Eric Helms on Iron Culture to discuss the state of modern powerlifting. The two of them recently joined legends, phenoms, leaders and top thinkers of the sport like John Haack, Greg Nuckols, Lya Bavoil and others at the 2024 European Powerlifting Conference in Limerick Irel…

1
Ep 288 - Is Exercise Variety Necessary? 1:04:47

7M ago1:04:47

1:04:47

The classic Iron Culture duo hosts this week’s episode to discuss exercise variety. How have the views on this topic changed over the years and why? First, we need to understand how and when bodybuilding separated from strength sport, equipment availability changes over time, and how these factors impacted the perception of exercise variety. From t…

1
Ep. 287 - Do Advanced Lifters Need More Volume? 1:16:37

8M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

The Erics are back, and this time, they work through a mental model of how training volume, or rather, the training dose changes over time. With a rank novice, a single set to failure done once per week will typically produce continued adaptation, and they won’t plateau for 1-2 years! However, if you take an advanced strength athlete or bodybuilder…

1
Ep. 286 - Is Hypertrophy Training a Waste of Time for Powerlifting? 1:09:45

8M ago1:09:45

1:09:45

The trio is back to discuss a classic Iron Culture topic: how much does increasing muscle mass contribute to strength? But, before we can answer how much, we must acknowledge that some in the scientific community doubt whether hypertrophy contributes to strength at all! What is the source of this skepticism and how do we resolve this debate? Tune i…

1
Ep. 285 - Are Most Omega-3 Supplements Misformulated? (Feat Ryan Anthony) 1:22:23

8M ago1:22:23

1:22:23

PhD candidate Ryan Anthony joins the Erics on Iron Culture to discuss the fishy business of Omega-3 supplementation. Ryan is in the final years of his PhD research at the University of Wollongong in Australia, investigating the role of omega-3 fatty acids in reducing muscle fatigue and soreness following exercise. His research has identified consis…

1
Ep. 284 - How to Keep Progressing in Powerlifting (feat. Walter Cariazo) 1:14:36

8M ago1:14:36

1:14:36

Walter Cariazo joins Omar and Eric Helms on Iron Culture to discuss his decade-long journey in powerlifting. He’s won the 93kg National Championship twice and the 105kg National Championship once in Canada and has had the opportunity to represent Canada twice at the IPF World Championship, most recently in Lithuania in June. In this most recent com…

1
Ep. 283 - Jared Maynard: Rebuilding Stronger 1:21:09

8M ago1:21:09

1:21:09

A long lifting career comes with plenty of ups and downs, so we’re accustomed to hearing stories about setbacks, comebacks, and perseverance from our favorite lifters. These setbacks can take many forms, but Jared Maynard’s extraordinary story exists in a league of its own. Over the course of a few short weeks, a rare autoimmune disease took Jared …

1
Ep. 282 - Pain Don’t Hurt Much 1:43:32

9M ago1:43:32

1:43:32

The most dynamic Iron Culture duo is back in action. In this episode, Omar and Dr. Trexler talk all about pain, injury, and factors that impact the relationship between them. Back in the day, most lifters were all-in on the “Cartesian” or “biomedical” model of pain, which posits that pain is a simple, reliable indicator of damaged tissue causing no…

1
Ep. 281 - Is Saturated Fat Inherently Fattening? 1:03:23

9M ago1:03:23

1:03:23

The trio is back, and this time to discuss the science of saturated fat. For decades, saturated fat was widely blamed for a dramatic rise in rates of obesity and heart disease. In recent years, that narrative has been challenged by proponents of increasingly popular ketogenic and carnivorous diets. For many, the back and forth on this topic is dizz…

1
Ep. 280 - What Makes a Good Coach? 1:16:06

9M ago1:16:06

1:16:06

When people think of “good coaching” in the evidence-based community their first thoughts are often related to whether or not the coach is up to date with the science and whether they use pseudoscience in practice. So does that mean that every coach from the 1990s and prior was a bad coach? Is good coaching actually determined by the methods you us…

1
Ep. 279 - Does Drinking Water Help Weight Loss? 1:08:15

9M ago1:08:15

1:08:15

One of the most common recommendations a personal trainer or dietitian might make to someone embarking on a weight loss journey, is to drink more water. It’s a basic behavioural recommendation, like going on walks, eating more fruit, vegetables and lean protein, adopting a consistent sleep schedule, and engaging in regular exercise; all solid recom…

1
Ep. 278 - Is Arched Bench Press Cheating? 1:14:13

10M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

Powerlifters use techniques to milk every last kilo out of their bench press, including wide grips, tightly wound wrist wraps, leg drive, and – the most hated technique in the comment section – an arched-back to reduce the range of motion. Indeed, it can get so heated in the comments it likely even influenced an IPF rule change last year. But how m…

1
Ep. 277 - Menstrual Cycle Training Roundtable (w/Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple & Dr. Kim SantaBarbara) 1:27:41

10M ago1:27:41

1:27:41

Fresh off of their successful doctoral defenses, Lauren and Kim join Iron Culture to discuss all things menstrual-cycle related for lifters! Dr. Helms had the pleasure of mentoring Kim, who recently completed her PhD at AUT, in which she surveyed and monitored the menstrual cycle symptoms of resistance-training women, and also led an intervention o…

1
Ep. 276 - Beyond Pain Science: When Injuries Don’t Resolve 1:26:14

10M ago1:26:14

1:26:14

We’re back with another trio episode, and in this one, the hosts dig deeper into the Trex-lore. Eric Trexler has been training since his early youth, but only recently has he struggled with his fitness, and health and even had to rethink who he is as a lifter, due to lingering pain. Pain and injury are complex and multifaceted, but the body is resi…

1
Ep. 275 - Biomechanics for Bodybuilding (with Kassem Hanson) 1:43:28

10M ago1:43:28

1:43:28

To complement the recent appearance of Dr. Wes Goodman, we now have the founder of N1 Education, Coach Kassem Hanson to join us on iron culture to discuss applied biomechanics and anatomy for bodybuilding. We discuss the limitations of research, what might be considered fundamental features of effective hypertrophy exercises, common mistakes and mi…

1
Ep. 274 - Do Hardgainers Need More Volume? 1:12:02

11M ago1:12:02

1:12:02

Since the beginning of the iron game, different methods have been promoted as the best approach to train for “hardgainers.” Likewise, in the scientific literature, the variability in individual response is well documented, including the identification of “non-responders” and poor responders to exercise. However, only recently have studies been unde…

1
Ep. 273 - Biomechanics for Powerlifting feat Dr. Wes Goodman 1:34:23

11M ago1:34:23

1:34:23

Wes Goodman recently completed his PhD in Exercise and Nutrition Science with an emphasis in Biomechanics and Motor Control at Montana State University under Dr. David Graham with our very own Dr. Helms on his committee as well. But he’s more than an academic, he’s a certified strength and conditioning specialist, gym owner, power lifter, strong ma…

1
Ep. 272 - Mike Tuchscherer: Peaking After 20 Years of Powerlifting 1:30:25

11M ago1:30:25

1:30:25

The man, the myth, the legend, Mike T is back! Fresh off a 900kg total, an 800lbs deadlift, and placing just off the podium at Powerlifting America National by bodyweight, Mike T is showing how much longevity can be had for the lifelong lifter, even at the highest level. We’ve only got a penlight in this pitch-dark morphing cave, but that’s apparen…

1
Ep. 271 - Powerlifting, Natural Bodybuilding & Science (Eric Trexler’s Journey) 1:31:39

11M ago1:31:39

1:31:39

Trextopia, this is your episode. We peel back the layers of pro natural bodybuilder, exercise science researcher & co-host of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler. Learn how he got into lifting, what low bar squatting 500lb ATG will do to your body & why there might be more controversy in Iron Culture’s near future. This might be the peak of Iron Culture but…

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