Dr. Layne Norton is Giving Horrible Fitness Advice - Beware!

Sep 16, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

The foremost health authority, the contrarian, and voice of reason is spouting this level of misinformation, so I think it deserves the acronym: A-Y-F-K-M.

Dr. Layne Norton, internet health influencer and self-titled Truth Seeker and debunker, has delivered the single worst piece of fitness advice imaginable. There is no more potentially destructive message to convey besides telling people to push through fatigue, crappy workouts, and poor movement patterns. So inspired by the Debunker himself, I'm going after you.

Layne Norton has a PhD in nutritional sciences, a background as a champion powerlifter and bodybuilder, and is known for debunking fitness misinformation and pseudoscience. But recently, he posted one of his many deadlift clips with the message that training is like investing in the stock market. He even detailed a week of “moving crappy,” “moving really crappy,” and being “happy” about grinding it out anyway.

Here’s what you will learn from this episode:

Why pushing through fatigue and poor form is a recipe for injury, burnout, and attrition
The flaws with the dated no pain, no gain mentality that simply won’t die
Exercise physiology insights: ATP, lactate, glycolysis, and aerobic energy systems
Why the anaerobic system requires extensive rest and recovery, not grinding through bad workouts
Technical failure versus pushing to failure, and why form matters most
Interesting science-based insights on the power of performing theatrics before a peak performance effort and why lighter weight and excellent form are the real win
Deadlifting dangers, proper technique, and why novices should get expert guidance

Finally, you will hear about what you should do when experiencing symptoms of suboptimal recovery and the value of applying an intuitive approach—especially when it comes to times that you “just don’t feel like it” and what that feeling can signify (hint: it has to do with your emotions and your central nervous system).

TIMESTAMPS:

Dr. Layne Nortron is known for debunking some of the science that is out there telling us what is good to eat. [01:03]

Brad confronts one of Layne's posts about training and recovery. Layne treats training like investing. [04:39]

Elites manage their energy very carefully every single day, week, month of training. [10:02]

ATP, the source for immediate explosive efforts lasting from zero to seven seconds, becomes completely exhausted after seven seconds [14:33]

Working through crappy form and feeling horrible during your warmup is in direct opposition to how the anaerobic system develops. [20:59]

Doug McGuff has come up with the Big Five Workout strategy, which you do only once a week that keeps you strong. [31:47]

If you attempt to work through crappy form and low scores on the readiness-to-train scale, you are training the central nervous system to fire less explosively and teaching your brain to be able to left ledds weight. [35:38]

Pavel Tsatsouline explains why he doesn't see the point of training to muscular failure. [38:37]

Six sets of three is the same as three sets of six, but you get less tired. [40:45]

Brad critiques Layne's analogy of exercising is like the stock market. [43:56]

Performing theatrics before a peak performance effort actually does help prime the centtral nervous system for peak performance. [45:41]

You want to preserve a straight and elongated spine with eveything you do in the gym. [50:06]

Deadlifting is a random exercise and potentially dangerous. If you're novice, get that trusted expert for one-on-one instruction before you even try. [58:19]

Beware of internet blather from influencers. [01:01:21]

Always take what your body gives you each day and nothing more. [01:02:06]

LINKS:

We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!

Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:

B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein!
Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off!
Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ!
Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD.
Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount!
Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience
Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.