Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
In this episode of Iron Culture presented by MASS, Dr. Eric Helms and Dr. Eric Trexler dive into a wide-ranging discussion covering updates on the long-awaited 3rd edition of the Muscle & Strength Pyramids, the writing process at MASS, and their recent frustrations with pseudoscientific claims in fitness and health.
They dissect recent content related to eccentric training, ketogenic diets, LDL cholesterol myths, and the fine line between critical thinking and cynicism. Plus, they tackle rapid-fire audience questions on deloading, protein intake, training at short vs. long muscle lengths, and more.
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:43 Muscle and Strength Pyramids Update
7:00 Why the Erics are extra snippy (about popular pseudoscience) in the upcoming issue of MASS
12:00 Keto diets and LDL (new research)
20:20 Why pseudoscience gains popularity
24:00 Cynicism vs. Skepticism
32:09 Paradigm shifts
37:02 Should I deload every 4 weeks?
46:02 Shortened vs. lengthened muscle training
50:37 High protein diets and kidney health question
53:21 Muscle imbalances after injury rehab
61:29 Why do we speak about the thermic effect of feeding so imprecisely? Why not manipulate it with high degree of specificity?
74:17 Hypertrophy rep ranges
74:56 Exercise science study design versus real-world questions
84:54 What's up with microplastics?
93:24 Wrapping up
In this episode of Iron Culture presented by MASS, Dr. Eric Helms and Dr. Eric Trexler dive into a wide-ranging discussion covering updates on the long-awaited 3rd edition of the Muscle & Strength Pyramids, the writing process at MASS, and their recent frustrations with pseudoscientific claims in fitness and health.
They dissect recent content related to eccentric training, ketogenic diets, LDL cholesterol myths, and the fine line between critical thinking and cynicism. Plus, they tackle rapid-fire audience questions on deloading, protein intake, training at short vs. long muscle lengths, and more.
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:43 Muscle and Strength Pyramids Update
7:00 Why the Erics are extra snippy (about popular pseudoscience) in the upcoming issue of MASS
12:00 Keto diets and LDL (new research)
20:20 Why pseudoscience gains popularity
24:00 Cynicism vs. Skepticism
32:09 Paradigm shifts
37:02 Should I deload every 4 weeks?
46:02 Shortened vs. lengthened muscle training
50:37 High protein diets and kidney health question
53:21 Muscle imbalances after injury rehab
61:29 Why do we speak about the thermic effect of feeding so imprecisely? Why not manipulate it with high degree of specificity?
74:17 Hypertrophy rep ranges
74:56 Exercise science study design versus real-world questions
84:54 What's up with microplastics?
93:24 Wrapping up
