Ep. #1010: Q&A: “Boring” Training, How to Grow Calves, New Books, 1-Rep Max Testing, and More

Why are calves so hard to grow? Are cool downs necessary? Can Bulgarian split squats replace barbell squats? When will I do a live, in-person meet-and-greet? Why do some people find the carnivore diet so helpful? How can you maintain progress while on an international vacation? All that and more in this Q&A podcast.

Over on Instagram, I’ve started doing weekly Q&As in the stories, and it occurred to me that many podcast listeners might enjoy hearing these questions and my short answers. So, instead of talking about one thing in an episode, I’m going to cover a variety of questions. And keep in mind some of these questions are just for fun. :)

So if you want to ask me questions in my Instagram stories, follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness), and if I answer your question there, it might just make it onto an episode of the podcast!

If you like this type of episode, let me know. Send me an email (mike@muscleforlife.com) or direct message me on Instagram. And if you don’t like it, let me know that too or how you think it could be better.

Timestamps:

(0:00) - My free quiz to answer all your diet questions: www.muscleforlife.show/dietquiz

(1:54) - Boxers or briefs?

(2:15) - Why are your workouts so boring?

(5:12) - Is experimenting with testosterone worth it?

(7:48) - Cable flyes or dips?

(8:09) - Why are calves so hard to grow?

(10:29) - How can I pay you back for changing my life?

(11:20) - How important are cool downs? Can I skip them?

(12:29) - Why did you jack up the price of your protein powder?

(14:39) - Should a 145 pound man with 14% body fat lifting for the first time start with a bulk or a cut?

(19:03) - Does the progressive overload principle apply to accessory exercises?

(21:24) - What can I do to maintain my progress while on an international vacation?

(22:16) - Would you ever do a U.S. meet and greet “tour” of some sort?

(23:09) - Why do you think the carnivore diet has so many positive testimonials if it’s mostly bs?

(24:33) - When is Bigger Leaner Stronger Vol. 4 coming out?

(26:44) - Are Bulgarian split squats a permanent substitute for the barbell back squat?

(27:23) - How should you incorporate a 1 rep max into your routine?

(28:51) - Would you do 4-6 reps even for isolation exercises?

(30:23) - Is it common that 10 reps of deadlift feels like hell in Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger?

Mentioned on the Show:

Take this free quiz to get science-based answers to all of your diet questions: www.muscleforlife.show/dietquiz