Joe DeFranco's Industrial Strength Show

Joe DeFranco
  • 4.9 (1.3K)
  • Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

World-renowned strength & conditioning coach Joe DeFranco shares his thoughts on training for peak performance, mindset, and living your passion. As the founder and owner of DeFranco's Gym, he also provides the business knowledge that helped him turn a 500-square-foot storage closet into a global brand. Each week, Joe will educate, motivate and entertain his audience by answering their questions and/or conducting interviews with top athletes, fitness professionals, entrepreneurs, and other highly successful people.

  1. 2d ago

    #594 If I Woke Up Fat & Bloated Tomorrow Here's What I'd Do...

    What would Joe DeFranco do if he woke up tomorrow, looked in the mirror, and "Bloated Joe D" was staring back at him?! In this episode, Joe answers a listener's hypothetical question by revealing the first 5 things he'd do to get his lean physique back—at age 51. Before outlining his plan, Joe shares the lessons learned from two very different transformations: his first diet at 21, which got him to single-digit body fat but ended with him regaining all the weight plus an additional 18 pounds, and the 40+ pound weight loss he began around age 40—and has maintained ever since. Drawing on those experiences, Joe explains why his approach today would prioritize sustainable habits over a dramatic short-term transformation. He breaks down: A simple starting point for establishing a slight calorie deficit. How he'd set his protein target and distribute it throughout the day. Why he'd aim for at least 25 grams of fiber daily. His practical daily water-intake target. How he'd combine low-volume strength training with 8-10k daily steps. Plus, Joe adds a bonus habit that deserves a place in any fat-loss plan! He discusses its role in recovery, performance, and managing food cravings. To wrap things up, Joe explains how listeners can get FREE access to his Busy Bastard strength training program and shares details about a four-day email promotion giving Lean Bastard customers 20% off their next DeFranco program. If you're tired of losing weight only to gain it back, this episode lays out Joe's practical approach to building a leaner physique—and maintaining it forever.

  2. Oct 8

    #593 Why I NEVER Program Forced Reps + Squatober After 40 [Q&A]

    In this week's episode, Joe answers four listener questions covering smarter training, career growth, and better breathing. He explains why he never programs forced reps—including an overlooked problem—and shares his take on Squatober after the age of 40. Can you embrace the challenge without burying your recovery? Joe also reveals the best question a former intern ever asked him and explains how focusing on ONE THING laid the foundation for his business success. Finally, he shares two unique breathing cues that will enable you to become a "better breather", plus practical ways to practice them. Expect straightforward advice, personal stories, and coaching insights you can put to use immediately! *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit www.IndustrialStrengthShow.com. IMPORTANT LINKS Iron Business Mastermind Weekend Team Forever Strong [1-Week Free Trial]

  3. Oct 1

    #592 - Grit or Disrespect (The HYROX Incident), My Skin Cancer Scare & a Totally Random Q&A!

    Joe takes a break from the typical training Q&A for a fun, unique episode featuring 10 totally random listener questions! He opens up about his recent skin cancer scare and weighs in on the controversial HYROX incident in Beijing: Was continuing the race a display of grit—or disrespect? Other topics include Nicolas Cage playing John Madden, getting help on the first rep of heavy dumbbell bench presses, Clubber Lang vs. Ivan Drago, and Joe's favorite running back after Walter Payton. He also discusses incline walking vs. daily steps, his two best exercises for improving 225-pound bench press rep endurance, and what he'd change about his past approach to training athletes. Finally, Joe imagines his ultimate restaurant—from the food and music to the behavior that would get a customer permanently banned! *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit www.IndustrialStrengthShow.com.   IMPORTANT LINKS DeFranco's Nutritional Supplements Mass Confusion [NEW program!]

  4. Sep 24

    #591 How We Combined Three Training Splits into One Badass 12-Week Program!

    "Muscle confusion" is complete bullsh*t. So why did Joe D. and Smitty name their new program "Mass Confusion?" In this episode, they explain the difference between random workouts and planned variation—and give you a look behind the scenes at how they built one cohesive 12-week program from three different training splits. They break down all three phases: an Upper/Lower split that uses a "reverse workout order" to reduce joint stress and their unique cluster set/EMOM approach to build strength and muscle; a Push/Pull/Legs split featuring the "total reps" method and "daily undulating periodization" (DUP); and a "bro split" that puts your newfound strength to work building muscle, including the brutal 6-12-25 method. You'll hear why they chose each method, how the phases fit together, and why intelligently rotating exercises keeps training fresh without sacrificing progress. This is the method behind the Mass Confusion madness! *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit www.IndustrialStrengthShow.com.   IMPORTANT LINKS Team Forever Strong [1-Week FREE Trial] MASS CONFUSION Ebook

  5. Sep 17

    #590 Prescribing Movement as Medicine w/ coach Kevin Carr

    This week, Joe welcomes coach Kevin Carr to the Industrial Strength Show! Kevin is the co-founder of the Certified Functional Strength Coach certification and "Movement as Medicine" Massage & Movement Therapy Clinic. He has nearly 20 years of coaching experience, working with everyone from Olympic athletes to average Joes. In this episode, Joe and Kevin cut through the confusing fitness advice online and share practical ways to improve strength, cardiovascular fitness and overall health. Specific topics include: How to restart training after a layoff — and build habits that stick; how & why to administer the 2-mile max aerobic speed test; whether age is really "just a number"; how exercise selection, frequency, and intensity should evolve as you get older; sprinting after 40; exercises to avoid versus movements everyone can/should do; and progressive programming for large groups. Kevin also discusses his new book, Prescribing Movement as Medicine, who it's for, and what readers can expect! *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit www.IndustrialStrengthShow.com.   IMPORTANT LINKS Follow @coachkevincarr on Instagram Prescribing Movement as Medicine (NEW book!)

  6. Sep 10

    #589 How I Train My Daughter IN-SEASON + A New Lower Body Primer You Gotta Try!

    In this episode, Joe breaks down his tried-and-true principles for in-season strength training. He discusses Charlie Francis' famous "Fill the Glass" concept, reveals the two biggest in-season training mistakes he sees coaches and athletes make, and then takes you inside the exact program he's using with his daughter during her high school soccer season. Joe shares her complete full-body strength workout - exercise by exercise - including her warm-up and a new "Step-Down Matrix" that has quickly become one of his favorite lower-body warm-ups. He also reveals her mid-week "neural primer" and the full-body mobility routine she uses throughout the week when needed. Joe wraps up with a quick review of his in-season training template for football players before teasing his upcoming "30 Days of Delts" challenge, which he'll be sending FREE to his email subscribers this Friday! If you train athletes — or you're an athlete trying to stay strong, healthy and explosive throughout a long season — this episode is for you. *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit www.IndustrialStrengthShow.com. IMPORTANT LINKS Team Forever Strong [1-Week FREE Trial] Get on Joe's email list!

  7. Sep 3

    #588 The Strength Training Retirement Plan (Plus Q&A)

    This week, Joe explains why strength training should be viewed as a "retirement plan for your body" and breaks down the "Strength Training Snowball Effect" — eight positive adaptations that build upon each other to help you become stronger, healthier, leaner, and more capable as you age. He also reveals one of the most overlooked tools in the average person's training — long-duration isometric holds — and explains their unique benefits for strength, hypertrophy, identifying weaknesses/imbalances, joint health, and recovery. Finally, Joe discusses why exercises like band pull-aparts, face pulls, Y-Handcuffs, and scap push-ups still have an important place in a well-designed program — even if they don't score high on the "loadability" scale. He explains why every exercise does NOT need to be heavy or progressively overloaded, and why the best programs include the right mix of high, moderate, and low-intensity movements. All this plus more in another information-packed episode of the Industrial Strength Show!   IMPORTANT LINKS DeFranco's Nutritional Supplements Iron Business Mastermind Weekend  DeFranco-designed training programs Joe D's Instagram

  8. Aug 27

    #587 Has Full Range of Motion Training Gone TOO FAR?

    Has full range of motion training gone too far? This week, Joe questions whether the fitness industry pendulum has swung too far — from half reps and poor mobility to forcing extreme ranges of motion that we don't actually have the strength or control to own. He explains the difference between accessing a position and actually owning it, why more range of motion isn't always better, and how to safely expand your ROM without sacrificing joint health and longevity. Joe also covers two other training topics: 1) How long should you rest between sprints when training for speed? 2) The subtle technique adjustment that will instantly make your chest-supported rows more effective! *For a full list of Show Notes w/ Timestamps visit www.IndustrialStrengthShow.com.   IMPORTANT LINKS Hill Sprint workout Manukora Honey

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About

World-renowned strength & conditioning coach Joe DeFranco shares his thoughts on training for peak performance, mindset, and living your passion. As the founder and owner of DeFranco's Gym, he also provides the business knowledge that helped him turn a 500-square-foot storage closet into a global brand. Each week, Joe will educate, motivate and entertain his audience by answering their questions and/or conducting interviews with top athletes, fitness professionals, entrepreneurs, and other highly successful people.

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