Iron Culture Eric Helms & Omar Isuf

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 misunderstandings of applied anatomy, individual differences and more! Join us in this discussion of bodybuilding functional anatomy and learn how to take your, or your clients training that much closer to optimal.
00:00 The Erics introduce Kassem and the topic
Iron Culture Ep. 273- Biomechanics For Powerlifting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB6_fIlx8EA
05:09 Why and how Kassem is ruining resistance training for the youth
10:43 Kassem’s background and what he does
19:00 What the technology is actually measuring and their limitations
27:13 Exercise selection principles
40:43 Working around structural limitations and injuries
47:27 Getting into the weeds of exercise selection for hypertrophy
1:00:08 The application of biomechanics research for training
1:06:30 Making the leg press more glute or quad focused
1:16:33 Considering and balancing different variables
1:25:12 An insight into an N1 study and a quick discussion on lengthened partials
1:32:32 The application of biomechanics principles and research
1:42:15 Closing out this conceptual discussion and where to find Kassem
Kassem 
Instagram: @coach_kassem https://www.instagram.com/coach_kassem/?hl=en
N1 Education
Website: https://n1.education/
Instagram: @n1.education https://www.instagram.com/n1.education/?hl=en
N1 Training
Website: https://n1.training/ 
Instagram: @n1.training https://www.instagram.com/n1.training/?hl=en  

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 undertaken to determine how to manipulate training to help poor responders to resistance training get better gains. So, is it true what they say? Does “hard work beat talent when talent doesn’t work hard”? And if so, what type of “hard work” needs to be done exactly?
00:00 Introduction to a duo episode with two of the best Erics in the fitness industry and the history of the "hardgainer”
09:48 “Non-responders” in the literature and measurement error
17:27 Individual vs group level responses
25:32 Challenging the idea of non-response to training
Montero 2017 Refuting the myth of non-response to exercise training: 'non-responders' do respond to higher dose of training https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28133739/
Lixandrão 2024 Higher resistance training volume offsets muscle hypertrophy nonresponsiveness in older individuals https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38174375/
35:20 The narratives surrounding responses to training
40:52 Changes in training to break through plateaus and variability in repetition performance
Bellinger 2020 Muscle fiber typology is associated with the incidence of overreaching in response to overload training https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32816636/
1:04:55 A quick insight into some upcoming PhD research and closing out with an advertisement for MASS Office Hours
https://massresearchreview.com/ 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTPlGKLOFok&list=PLq2Hpu55tCKbaklI9h4Z5-2kJYf5T3ren&index=36 
Barbend Article: https://barbend.com/tom-platz-legs-massive-at-67/ 

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 man and Highland Games competitor! He studied how musculoskeletal modelling can help us understand the nuances of how the body performs squats. In this episode you’ll learn about the theory and application of motor control to lifting, the limitations of common biomechanics studies, and how modelling helps us understand that muscles can influence joints they don’t actually cross, and to Omar’s dismay, that a calf raise might actually be a squat accessory exercise!
00:00 Addressing the controversy before introducing our guest Sooper Gforce
Iron Culture Ep 269- Are Social Media PhDs Ruining Fitness? (feat Dr. Milo Wolf, Max Coleman & Dr. Pak) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgp9h5D0yqI
Enes 2024 Effects of Different Weekly Set Progressions on Muscular Adaptations in Trained Males: Is There a Dose-Response Effect? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37796222/ 
04:37 Introducing Wes Goodman and what is biomechanics?
13:15 Necromechanics, what we can measure with biomechanics and its limitations
Iron Culture Ep. 163- All About EMG and Hypertrophy (ft. Andrew Vigotsky) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIccFeOknew
28:45 The degrees of freedom problem and clarifying 
37:00 The dominant theories on motor control and neuroscience
45:04 Motor learning strategies in lifting and the theoretical/philosophical perspective
58:45 Cuing in (power)lifting and the approaches to providing feedback as coach
1:06:53 Wes’ PhD research: the intricacies of muscle function within tasks
1:20:05 Modelling in science and furthering our understanding of squat biomechanics
1:24:55 Wes’ initial thoughts on his data regarding the calves 
1:29:29 Closing out and where to find Wes
Website: https://likeironstrong.com 
IG: @likeironstrong_wes https://www.instagram.com/likeironstrong_wes/ 
ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/William-Goodman-12
 

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 apparently all you need. Join us on this episode where we discuss mental maturity and growth as a lifter, Mike’s journey and his future plans in equipped lifting!
00:00 Introduction to a homecoming episode
Iron Culture Ep. 4- Periodization & Autoregulation Roundtable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIVw1OxvZUA
07:15 Catching up on Mike T’s achievements and competing equipped
Iron Culture Ep. 46- Powerlifting: Raw vs Equipped Lifting (Ft. Calgary Barbell, Corvus Strength & RTS) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG618RmkoPA
22:13 Keeping the spark for lifting and training
Lepper 1973 Undermining children's intrinsic interest with extrinsic reward: A test of the "overjustification" hypothesis. https://web.mit.edu/curhan/www/docs/Articles/15341_Readings/Motivation/Lepper_et_al_Undermining_Childrens_Intrinsic_Interest.pdf
Fishbach 2012 When thinking about goals undermines goal pursuit https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749597812000222 
30:42 Mike T’s athletic arc
37:30 Facing and navigating adversity: injuries and load management
50:10 What has changed over time for Eric, especially with his injuries  
01:04:18 The ‘hot streak’, sticking with it, and moving forward
01:19:15 We are all getting out of this cave together… or do we even need to get out?
1:25:44 The plan for Mike T the athlete and where to find him
Instagram: @miketuchscherer https://www.instagram.com/miketuchscherer/
Threads: @miketuchscherer https://www.threads.net/@miketuchscherer
Reactive Training Systems Coaching https://pages.reactivetrainingsystems.com/coaching 
RTS Lab https://pages.reactivetrainingsystems.com/rts-training-lab

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 Trexler is no fan of peak weeks.
00:00 Introduction to an episode with Eric without the other Eric
03:06 An inside peak into Trexler’s day as a scientist (Trex lore)
 09:42 Trexler’s foray into powerlifting
19:47 T-Nation and what informed Trexler’s training practices
27:12 Wrestling, lifting, and experimenting with training
36:02 Change of perspective: different approaches to training
42:44 The evolution of Trexler’s training and getting into science
48:37 “Optimisation” for bodybuilding and peaking (Helm’s hat cameo)
1:00:45 The pros and cons of different approaches
1:04:53 Diving into different research topics and the recent challenges in Trexler’s fitness journey
 1:16:57 Growing and learning from the experiences (and the return of the T-Rex)
1:30:41 Closing out this monster episode 

We here at Iron Culture have been on a mission to better inform you, dear listener, as to the inner workings of science. From what goes on in the lab itself, to the publication process, to dissemination, to eventual meta-analysis, the challenge of interpretation and communication of science, the optimistic promises of open science, and the increasing focus on replication, it’s been a hopefully eye-opening and overall encouraging discussion. However, while the scientific method is inherently self-correcting, the apparatus of science is far from perfect and there is a big problem with its principle tool of correcting the peer-reviewed record: retraction. What leads to a paper being retracted? What is the process? How does it impact the literature? Most importantly, does it effectively change the understanding of the science in the community the studies are meant to serve? Join the Erics in this most recent episode as they break it all down!
00:00 Retraction in science and a recently retracted study on cold water immersion
Néma 2024 Impact of cold exposure on life satisfaction and physical composition of soldiershttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36599485/
Iron Culture Ep. 267- Addressing Data Fraud in Nutrition Science https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZqQ0_pweTs
16:00 A peak behind the sport science curtain
25:19 The process of retraction and its flaws
Soria-Gila 2015 Effects of Variable Resistance Training on Maximal Strength: A Meta-Analysishttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25968227/
Retraction Watch https://retractionwatch.com/
41:15 Keeping up to date with retractions and critically appraising studies
Wakefield 1998 Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9500320/
1:00:54 Wild claims from science communicators and their responsibility
1:11:09 Letter to the editor and the retraction process
Phillips 2017 Changes in body composition and performance with supplemental HMB-FA+ATPhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28301440/
1:22:53 The open science movement and the dangers of unreliable findings
1:30:04 Moving forward: the effective science communicatorand alternative publishing models
1:39:16 Closing out this intervention episode for Helms