The Discover Strength Podcast

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson is joined by Dr. James Fisher, a globally recognized exercise scientist, to explore what happens in our bodies from the very first weeks of resistance training through years of disciplined effort. They break down the neurological adaptations that drive early strength gains, the morphological changes that come later, and what advanced trainees can do to keep progressing. You'll learn about muscle architecture, sarcomere genesis, the myth of continuous muscle growth, and how to use advanced techniques like breakdown sets, eccentric overload, supersets, and lengthened partials to maximize hypertrophy and strength—no matter your training age. This is a masterclass in evidence-based resistance training you won’t want to miss.Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introductory Workout HERE !

What do Steve Jobs and your next strength workout have in common? In this episode, Discover Strength CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson tells the surprising story of how a freshman-year paper on high-intensity training (HIT) led to an unforgettable analogy: HIT is the Apple of strength training.Luke explores how HIT—rooted in evidence-based, efficient, and safe exercise—shares the same ethos of simplicity, sophistication, and innovation that defined Apple under Steve Jobs. He breaks down the foundational tenets of HIT, from training to failure and controlled eccentric movements, to training less frequently but with more focus—all backed by decades of scientific literature.If you're a Discover Strength client, you're already training in this smarter, research-backed way. But as Luke reveals, most of the fitness world is still stuck in outdated thinking.🔬 Whether you’re a trainer, leader, or someone looking to optimize your workouts, this episode reinforces why Discover Strength’s approach is not just different—it’s better.Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introductory Workout HERE !

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson interviews Dr. Brendon Gurd of Queen's University to unpack one of the biggest fitness buzzwords of the last five years: Zone 2 training.Dr. Gurd breaks down his recently published paper in Sports Medicine, titled “Much Ado About Zone 2”, and reveals what the current science says about the efficacy of Zone 2 training for improving mitochondrial function and cardiorespiratory fitness.Listeners will gain clarity on:What Zone 2 actually means in exercise physiologyWhy the 80/20 training model may be misunderstoodHow Zone 2 compares to high-intensity training for mitochondrial adaptationThe myth of the “fat-burning zone”Practical cardio recommendations for busy people who want maximum results in minimal timeWhether you're a biohacker, fitness enthusiast, or strength training purist, this episode will reshape how you think about cardio—and how to integrate it intelligently alongside resistance training.Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introductory Workout HERE !

What separates a good strength training session from a great one? In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson is joined by three of the brand’s most experienced exercise physiologists—Rick Regnell, Kayla Ezuck, and Taylor Melvin—for a candid conversation rooted in over 100,000 training sessions.They break down the habits and mindset traits that expert trainers notice—and deeply respect—in high-performing clients. From mastering form under fatigue to communicating clearly and showing up with consistency, this episode is packed with insight for anyone serious about getting more from their strength training.Whether you're a Discover Strength client, a fitness professional, or simply someone committed to training smart, this conversation will elevate your understanding of what it means to truly be coachable.Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introductory Workout HERE !

In this pivotal episode, Discover Strength CEO Luke Carlson dives deep into the core purpose and bold 10-year vision that will shape the future of the company—and potentially, the entire fitness industry. Luke unpacks the driving force behind Discover Strength’s mission: to lead a movement in evidence-based exercise, and outlines the newly defined BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal): to become the destination for resistance exercise as medicine by 2035, with 250 studios nationwide.Learn how foundational principles from Jim Collins, Simon Sinek, and classic BHAG examples (like SpaceX, Disney, and Nike) have inspired the long-game strategy behind Discover Strength’s next chapter. Whether you're a fitness entrepreneur, exercise scientist, or simply a passionate advocate for smarter workouts, this episode offers a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership and brand alignment.Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introductory Workout HERE !

Discover Strength CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson takes you behind the scenes of Project Discover—our ongoing effort to advance the science of strength training and lead the movement in evidence-based exercise.In this episode, Luke shares: The history of Discover Strength’s published research and collaborations with Dr. James Fisher and Dr. James Steele. Why our supervised, high-quality training environment is ideal for groundbreaking studies. Highlights from past studies on pre-exhaustion, eccentric training, breakdown sets, virtual training, and lengthened partials. The myth-busting findings from our heavy vs. light weights for fat loss study.Details on our largest study to date—a deep dive into volume (one set vs. three sets) and its impact on muscle growth.If you care about training that’s grounded in science—not fads—this episode shows why Discover Strength is the destination for resistance exercise as medicine.Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introductory Workout HERE !

In this powerful solo episode, Luke Carlson—CEO of Discover Strength shares 20 hard-earned lessons from completing 30 marathons over the past two decades. Blending cutting-edge exercise science with personal experimentation, Luke explores the real factors that drive performance: running economy, durability, strength training, progressive overload, nutrition, body composition, mental fortitude, and more.Listeners will learn:Why strength training is essential for runners—and how it improves late-race performanceHow durability (not VO2 max) may be the best predictor of marathon successThe truth about running and fat loss (spoiler: it's not what you think)The critical role of mantras, mindset, and reference groupsHow tapering, fueling, and data tracking can make or break your race dayWhether you're an endurance athlete, a coach, or someone who loves geeking out on training science, this episode will challenge your assumptions and elevate your approach.Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introductory Workout HERE !

Fitness information overload can confuse anyone. Discover four expert-backed strategies to sift through the noise and identify credible sources. Learn why flashy confidence is a warning sign and why following the fittest person isn't a failsafe approach. Delve into the nuances of scientific credibility and understand how real experts communicate complexity. It's time to arm yourself with the tools to navigate the fitness landscape wisely!

For years, we've been told that losing weight is the key to better health. But what if everything you thought you knew about fitness and fatness is wrong? In this episode, Discover Strength CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson unpacks the science behind the Fit and Fat Paradox — revealing why being aerobically fit and strong matters far more than the number on the scale.You’ll learn:Why fitness (VO2 Max and strength) trumps weight as a predictor of mortalityHow healthcare professionals and even fitness experts fall into anti-fat biasThe surprising role strength training plays in improving both aerobic capacity and longevityWhy resistance training should be the cornerstone of your exercise routine if you're serious about healthAt Discover Strength, we believe busy people don’t have time to waste on exercise that doesn’t work. We deliver 30-minute strength workouts, twice per week, with an expert trainer to help you look and feel your best, in a fraction of the time. Subscribe, share, and discover why evidence-based resistance training is the new medicine.Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introductory Workout HERE !

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson breaks down three powerful "here and now" techniques to immediately improve the quality of your next strength training workout. From eliminating momentum at the start of each rep, to applying maximum effort with proper intent, and maintaining perfect form regardless of how many reps you did last time—these science-backed strategies will elevate every set. Whether you're an elite athlete or training for longevity, these principles apply to you.Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introductory Workout HERE !