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
5 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 13min
Ep 349 - Elite Weightlifting: An Inside Look (ft. Wil Fleming)
Wil Fleming, a level five senior international coach with USA Weightlifting and soon-to-be Olympic assistant coach, shares his journey into the world of Olympic weightlifting. He dives into the importance of mental resilience, explaining how athletes can manage arousal levels during competitions. Wil also discusses effective teaching techniques for Olympic lifts and the significance of pre-performance routines. With insights on handling setbacks and the mental game of lifting, he highlights how training your mind can be as crucial as honing your technique.
16 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 1h 20min
Ep 348 - What Does Your Favorite Fit Pro's PhD Actually Mean?
A recent controversy in fitness sparked a deep dive into the implications of academic credentials. The discussion covers what earning a PhD entails and who decides if it's reputable. It reveals that a PhD signifies commitment and training, but not superiority. Evaluating expertise requires consideration of research output, coaching results, and communication abilities. The hosts encourage listeners to think critically about credentials and select experts based on proven track records rather than prestige alone.
7 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 16min
Ep 347 - New Retraction (and What It Means For "Evidence-Based" Fitness)
A recent paper on apple cider vinegar was retracted, raising critical questions about evidence-based fitness. Dr. Trex dives into the dramatic claims of the original study and the subsequent statistical investigation that revealed major discrepancies. He emphasizes the flaws in the retraction process and the public's misunderstanding of scientific findings. Additionally, he discusses the importance of scrutinizing research and anecdotes while advocating for community discourse to enhance trust in fitness science.
26 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 1h 23min
Ep 346 - Helms Updates + Q&A
Eric Helms, a strength and bodybuilding coach, shares his insights on fitness culture following recent travels, including an educational event in Bali. He tackles misconceptions about his commitment to the iron game and discusses effective jet lag strategies. Helms dives into the intricacies of hypertrophy and biomechanics while preparing for his upcoming WNBF Taiwan competition. He emphasizes the importance of community and the evolving science in fitness, urging listeners to remain skeptical of misinformation.
44 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 10min
Ep 345 - Hot Topics in Fitness (ft. Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple)
Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, a research-minded fitness communicator and co-host of Front Page Fitness, dives into the science of creatine supplementation. She critiques the marketing of 'women-only' creatine and addresses common myths, including issues with creatine gummies and the concept of cycling. The conversation shifts to the critical role of exercise in bone health, offering evidence-based strategies for fracture prevention, alongside dietary recommendations for optimal bone outcomes.
25 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 22min
Ep 344 - Sports Science In Elite Athletics (ft. Dr. Marc Lewis)
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Marc Lewis, the Director of Applied Sports Science for the Houston Texans, shares insights into maximizing athlete performance. He highlights how sports scientists navigate the complexities of data collection and analysis, emphasizing the importance of tailored training protocols. The conversation also explores the realities of overtraining in elite sports versus general fitness, the evolution of sports science, and offers valuable advice for aspiring professionals in the field.
49 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 29min
Ep 343 - Q&A: Is Collagen Useful?
The hosts dive into the latest buzz in college football and powerlifting, celebrating athlete achievements. They tackle the controversial topic of collagen supplementation, dissecting its benefits for tendon health and muscle growth. Creatine is also on the table, with discussions on its dosing, effects, and common myths. Listeners gain insight into improving muscular endurance and the connection between strength training and performance outcomes. Practical dieting tips and the impact of rest days add a well-rounded perspective on fitness.
17 snips
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.
47 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!
