
Iron Culture presented by MASS
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.
Latest episodes

Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 8min
Ep 324 - WORLD PREMIERE: Front Page Fitness
Discover the world of trending health topics as two experts take you through a lively discussion. They tackle the surprising debate on alcohol consumption and its shifting perception in health circles. Learn about the antics of 'The Ohio State University' and the bizarre Florida Man phenomenon in health trends. Also featured is a cautionary tale about extreme dieting through excessive cheese consumption, mixing humor with serious wellness advice. Tune in for a fresh take on fitness news that’s anything but ordinary.

Apr 16, 2025 • 1h 11min
Ep 323 - MASS Makes History
Gathered live at the Sports Nutrition Annual Conference, the hosts dive into the significance of translating science in fitness. They humorously analyze extreme diets, like a man's love for 30 raw eggs. The importance of periodization for strength training gains is highlighted, along with time-efficient workout strategies. They tackle misconceptions in fitness research and the influence of social media. With a focus on bridging research and practical application, the conversation reflects on the ongoing evolution of powerlifting methods.

33 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 1h 35min
Ep 322- The Science of "Junk Volume" (ft. Jake Remmert)
Jake Remmert, a doctoral student focused on strength research, dives into the intriguing world of training volume. He distinguishes between effective and 'junk' volume in bodybuilding, emphasizing how understanding per session set volume can drastically impact hypertrophy and strength gains. The discussion includes the importance of frequency, recovery, and individualized approaches to training intensity. Remmert also navigates the complexities of fitness discourse, urging listeners to critically assess fitness research to optimize their training decisions.

22 snips
Apr 2, 2025 • 1h 13min
Ep 321 - Are You Really As Hydrated As You Think?
Dive into the fascinating world of hydration and its surprising impact on athletic performance. Discover the risks of overhydration and how even slight dehydration can hinder workouts. Explore the roles of vitamin C and gelatin in muscle recovery while debunking fitness myths, especially regarding eccentric training. Get practical hydration tips tailored for athletes and learn to interpret urine color as a hydration indicator. Plus, tackle the complexities of using evidence-based science in health discussions. A rich blend of knowledge awaits!

12 snips
Mar 26, 2025 • 1h 58min
Ep 320 - Myths Versus Theories in Exercise Science (ft. James Steele)
In this conversation, Dr. James Steele, a sports scientist known for his critiques of periodization, dives deep into the philosophical aspects of exercise research. He discusses the importance of collaboration and causal inference in creating meaningful studies. The chat highlights critiques of existing exercise science models and the need for a theory-driven approach. Steele emphasizes understanding the mechanisms behind training effects and advocates for more rigorous, interdisciplinary research practices to enhance both validity and applicability in the field.

Mar 19, 2025 • 1h 40min
Ep 319 - Bodybuilding Mortality Across the Eras (ft. Drs Conor Heffernan and Juan Carlos Cassano)
Join Conor Heffernan, a PhD in sports history, and Juan Carlos Casano, a biochemist and bodybuilding historian, as they dive into the dark side of bodybuilding. They reveal unsettling mortality trends linked to performance-enhancing drugs and explore the cultural norms that have shaped the sport. Discussion touches on the motivations behind bodybuilding, the impact of social media, and the need for better athlete welfare. The conversation advocates for transparency and a cultural shift in how bodybuilding is viewed and practiced.

10 snips
Mar 12, 2025 • 1h 40min
Ep 318 - Resistance Training as a Fat Loss Tool (ft. Dr. Mike Ormsbee)
Dr. Mike Ormsbee, a full professor at Florida State University, discusses resistance training's surprising role in fat loss. He explains how resistance training enhances fat metabolism and challenges traditional aerobic exercise beliefs. The conversation dives into the biochemical mechanics of myokines, the importance of nutrition timing, and the complexities of glycogen depletion during weight lifting. Ormsbee also emphasizes collaboration in research and the significance of ongoing studies in understanding nutrition and sleep quality in relation to exercise.

19 snips
Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 24min
Ep 317 - Training Volume: How Much Is Enough? (ft. Dr. Eduardo De Souza)
Joined by Eduardo De Souza, a Professor at the University of Tampa and an expert in hypertrophy research, this conversation dives into high-volume training and its effects on muscle growth. Dr. De Souza sheds light on common misconceptions, research challenges, and the importance of individualized training approaches. They discuss the role of baseline strength in training outcomes and the significance of transparent research reporting. Plus, the intriguing link between training volume and sleep quality is explored, opening new avenues for future research in exercise science.

5 snips
Feb 26, 2025 • 1h 39min
Ep 316 - Lengthened Biased Training: Time To Cut Bait?
Join a lively discussion on the effects of intense training as the hosts share personal anecdotes of bruises and the toll on their bodies. They analyze the upcoming NFL combine and its athletic wonders, while delving into the intricacies of lengthened-biased training. Caution is urged regarding research interpretation, emphasizing the value of proper statistical understanding. The balance between empirical evidence and theoretical frameworks in fitness is explored, along with exciting insights on protein intake and muscle training dynamics.

26 snips
Feb 20, 2025 • 1h 11min
Ep 315 - Training Hard Versus Training Smart
Hosts celebrate a milestone with a lively discussion on testosterone replacement therapy and its complexities. They delve into the benefits of citrulline malate and innovative training techniques for hypertrophy. Personal anecdotes on managing tendinopathy deliver practical insights, while lesser-known exercises like the pullover machine are highlighted. Coffee's health effects spark engaging conversations. The impact of caffeine on training intensity and tailored programming for individuals with obesity round out the discussion, emphasizing enthusiasm in lifting and overcoming plateaus.
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