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 26, 2024 • 1h 9min
Ep. 289 - How Competitive is IPF Powerlifting? (with Panagiotis Tarinidis)
Joining Eric Helms is Panagiotis Tarinidis, a two-time IPF Open World Champion in the 66kg category. They dive into the fierce competitiveness of modern IPF powerlifting, discussing how bodyweight decided the podium at the upcoming world championships. Pana shares insights on the mindset needed to stay at the top. The pair also reflect on the evolution of the sport over the years, touching on emotional challenges athletes face and the importance of self-awareness and innovation in training strategies.
Aug 19, 2024 • 1h 5min
Ep 288 - Is Exercise Variety Necessary?
Dive into the intriguing world of exercise variety and its evolution over the years. Discover how bodybuilding diverged from strength sports and the historical impact of figures like Joe Weider. The conversation explores the balance between muscle confusion and functional anatomy, revealing how modern insights have reshaped our understanding of hypertrophy. The duo also tackles the debate on seated versus standing calf raises, challenging traditional beliefs. Join them for a lively discussion that blends humor with expertise in fitness!
Aug 12, 2024 • 1h 17min
Ep. 287 - Do Advanced Lifters Need More Volume?
The hosts discuss how training volume needs shift as athletes advance. A single weekly set can suffice for beginners, but advanced lifters often require more to avoid muscle loss. They clarify the difference between training age and training status, emphasizing personalized strategies over generic methods. The episode also reviews effective hamstring training techniques and the evolution of weightlifting attitudes, while humorously exploring AI's role in podcasting. Overall, it’s a deep dive into the complexities of advanced strength training.
Aug 5, 2024 • 1h 10min
Ep. 286 - Is Hypertrophy Training a Waste of Time for Powerlifting?
Exploring the link between muscle mass and strength, the hosts tackle the skepticism within the scientific community on hypertrophy training's effectiveness. They discuss how rigorous study design is vital in forming accurate conclusions and elucidate the complexities of establishing causation versus correlation. Personal experiences and empirical studies enrich the debate, while they also touch on nutrition, comparing plant-based with carnivore diets, and their implications for strength performance.
Jul 29, 2024 • 1h 22min
Ep. 285 - Are Most Omega-3 Supplements Misformulated? (Feat Ryan Anthony)
Ryan Anthony, a PhD candidate at the University of Wollongong, dives into the fascinating world of omega-3 fatty acids and their role in muscle recovery. He reveals the complexities of EPA and DHA, why plant sources may not suffice, and the mixed results from recent studies. The discussion also touches on omega-3's effects on elderly health and its potential benefits for athletes. Plus, there's humor about mercury concerns in fish, making it an enlightening and entertaining exploration of omega-3 supplementation!
Jul 22, 2024 • 1h 15min
Ep. 284 - How to Keep Progressing in Powerlifting (feat. Walter Cariazo)
Walter Cariazo, a powerlifting champion, shares his journey from football to powerlifting and his progression to elite levels. The podcast discusses competition strategies, the powerlifting community in Scarborough, and training during lockdown. It highlights dedication, resilience, and the balance between life and sport in true lifting culture.
Jul 15, 2024 • 1h 21min
Ep. 283 - Jared Maynard: Rebuilding Stronger
Jared Maynard shares his incredible journey of surviving a rare autoimmune disease that left him on life support. He discusses re-learning basic functions before returning to powerlifting, setting PRs just one year after his ordeal. The podcast also delves into his resilience, stoicism, and the transformative power of strength in overcoming adversity.
13 snips
Jul 8, 2024 • 1h 44min
Ep. 282 - Pain Don't Hurt Much
Dive into the evolution of pain science models in lifting, from Cartesian to biopsychosocial approach, debunking common misconceptions. Explore personalized care and holistic biopsychosocial approach for pain management. Understand the complex interplay of biological and psychosocial factors in pain perception, highlighting the importance of balanced consideration in training injuries.
13 snips
Jul 1, 2024 • 1h 3min
Ep. 281 - Is Saturated Fat Inherently Fattening?
The trio discusses the contentious topic of saturated fat's role in weight gain and health. They analyze various studies challenging the belief that saturated fat is inherently fattening, emphasizing the importance of overall calorie intake and individual fat compositions. The episode also explores practical recommendations for managing saturated fat intake and delves into legal matters, social media presence, and audience size banter.
9 snips
Jun 24, 2024 • 1h 16min
Ep. 280 - What Makes a Good Coach?
Discussing what makes a good coach, the hosts delve into coaching qualities, the evolution of coaching, stages of behavior change, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and the nuances of coaching and teaching. They emphasize the importance of knowledge, experience, passion, and effective communication in coaching.
