Iron Culture presented by MASS
Eric Helms & Eric Trexler
Iron Culture was started by Eric Helms and Omar Isuf as a means of exploring the world of physical culture and attempting to distill a unified philosophy of lifting and to help listeners find greater meaning from the iron. It's now hosted by Eric Helms and Eric Trexler, who repeatedly beg Omar to return as a guest.
Iron Culture focuses on dispensing practical, useful information to the listener, bouncing from history, to philosophy, to contemporary lifting culture issues, to science. The format includes casual conversations between the two hosts on a variety of topics, discussions with a panel of experts and interviews with authoritative figures in the lifting community.
Iron Culture is proudly presented by the MASS Research Review.
Iron Culture focuses on dispensing practical, useful information to the listener, bouncing from history, to philosophy, to contemporary lifting culture issues, to science. The format includes casual conversations between the two hosts on a variety of topics, discussions with a panel of experts and interviews with authoritative figures in the lifting community.
Iron Culture is proudly presented by the MASS Research Review.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 29min
Ep 342 - New Data: Does Growth Really Drive Strength Gains?
Explore the intriguing relationship between muscle growth and strength gains in this insightful discussion. The hosts dive into groundbreaking research revealing that bigger muscles don’t always mean greater strength. They also dissect the complexities of sex differences in training outcomes, shedding light on how men and women experience gains similarly, albeit differently. The importance of nuanced statistical analysis in exercise science is emphasized, alongside light-hearted anecdotes from personal experiences and community events in the fitness world.
21 snips
Aug 20, 2025 • 1h 34min
Ep 341 - Unpacking Individual Responses to Training Volume
Dr. Zac Robinson, a PhD graduate and researcher specializing in resistance training volume, joins the discussion to uncover how individuals uniquely respond to varying training intensities. He dives into his dissertation findings, emphasizing that not everyone benefits from high-volume workouts. The conversation highlights the importance of personalized training regimens and the need for adaptive strategies in coaching. They also tackle the complexities of individual variability and the exciting shifts in resistance training research, suggesting future directions for optimizing training practices.
40 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 1h 21min
Ep 340 - Protein: Valuable, But Overvalued
Dive into the intriguing discussions about the modest effects of protein on muscle gains and how hospital logistics play a role in athlete health. Explore the surprising link between sleep quality and nutrient timing, alongside the implications of dietary choices for vegan lifters. Discover the controversies surrounding the recent ban on smelling salts in the NFL. The hosts also tackle the complexities of training protocols and the nuances of bodily responses to nutrition, ensuring you get all the insights on performance optimization!
Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 47min
Ep 339 - ECA Stack & Yohimbine
This discussion dives into the intriguing world of the ECA stack and yohimbine. The hosts cover the stack's history, its impact on weight loss, and the regulatory shifts that shaped it. They explore how ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin work together for fat loss. The conversation also reveals yohimbine's unique effects, from fat mobilization to its implications for male performance. With humor and insight, they reflect on the evolution of fitness supplements and doping in sports, making for an engaging and informative listen.
Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 21min
Ep 338 – The many eras of evidence-based fitness (ft. Dr. Jim Stoppani)
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Jim Stoppani, a PhD in exercise physiology and founder of his own supplement line, shares his journey from academia to fitness communication. He reflects on how the fitness industry and science communication have evolved over the years. They delve into the challenges of maintaining integrity in a digital age filled with misinformation, emphasizing the significance of transparent, evidence-based communication. Jim also discusses fostering audience engagement and promoting a positive approach to fitness education, offering a fresh perspective on navigating the changing landscape.
14 snips
Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 50min
Ep 337 - Is There A Crisis In Exercise Science?
This discussion tackles the replication crisis in exercise science, drawing parallels with the issues in psychology. The hosts examine the challenges of research reproducibility and the risks of over-relying on individual studies. They emphasize the significance of meta-analyses for understanding true effects and urge cautious interpretation of new findings. Additionally, they highlight the systemic barriers to research transparency in exercise science and stress the importance of collaboration and critical evaluation in the fitness community.
28 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 6min
Ep 336 - The Science Of Being Cool & Attractive
In this engaging talk, Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, a psychologist and co-author of the Mass Research Review, dives into the science of attractiveness and coolness. They explore how body composition influences perceptions of attractiveness and discuss the irony of societal expectations. The conversation shifts to how personality traits shape workout preferences, examining the link between fitness habits and individual characteristics. Humor and insight abound as they advocate for a tailored approach to fitness based on psychological traits.
6 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 1h 33min
Ep 335: Sticking Points, Exercise Selection, and Long Muscle Length Training (ft. Dr. Stian Larsen)
In this discussion, Dr. Stian Larsen, Director of Education at Norway's AFPT, shares insights from his transition from powerlifting to exercise science research. He delves into the biomechanics of squats, highlighting the significance of sticking points. Stian discusses the complexities of muscle training, including practical applications of recent hypertrophy research. Intriguing findings on bicep training angles challenge previous assumptions, while his innovative approaches to measuring muscle growth point to exciting future directions in strength training.
17 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 30min
Ep 334 - Microplastics: Setting the Record Straight
The hosts tackle updates on microplastics, debunking myths while highlighting consumer safety through beverage packaging. Celebrating the 100th issue, they also explore tasty meat alternatives like plant-based chicken and discuss the importance of personalized dietary choices. The limitations of BMI are critiqued, alongside insights into individual training responses and the effectiveness of supplements. Join them for a blend of science, humor, and fitness wisdom!
15 snips
Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 35min
Ep 333 - Are High-Protein Diets Really Harmless?
Delve into the scientific debate surrounding high-protein diets as experts examine claims about their potential harms, including impacts on lifespan, bone health, and kidney function. Unpack the nuanced relationship between protein intake and type 2 diabetes, addressing common misconceptions in the fitness community. The conversation also tackles the validity of dietary research, discussing biases and the importance of critical thinking in nutrition. Plus, hear about contentious social media discussions on ketogenic diets and seed oils.
