Joe DeFranco's Industrial Strength Show

In this weeks episode, Joe covers 3 unique topics in detail. These topics include: Why his athletes DON'T perform overhead presses; How to get jacked in a hotel room when you're pressed for time and have NO equipment; How his Lower Body Strength template evolved and why it's so effective for improving sprinting speed! 

This week, Joe sits down with Dr. Rhonda Patrick to discuss her research on heat stress, sauna use, and her "Core 4" supplement recommendations for improving performance and living longer.    In this information-packed, 97-minute interview you will learn: The sauna's effect on mood, cognitive function and preventing muscle atrophy; Why you'll benefit more from the sauna if you stay in there until you feel "uncomfortable"; How exposing your body to heat can have a positive effect on cardiovascular health; How you can use the sauna to come back from an injury 30% faster; How you can activate "heat shock proteins" in your body (They are very good for preventing muscle damage); Why people who "sweat easily" are probably healthier than their "non-sweaty" counterparts; Dr. Rhonda Patrick's "Core 4" supplements that every athlete and "average Joe" should take; The importance of supplementing with a quality fish oil; Dr. Rhonda Patrick's most trusted fish oil brand (and how to test YOUR fish oil for purity); Why you should consume a vitamin D supplement that also has vitamin K2 in it; The dangers of taking too much vitamin D (more is NOT better); The best method for consuming your magnesium (Your stomach will thank you later); Why it's important to take an ACTIVATED B-Complex supplement; Dr. Rhonda Patrick's most trusted multi-vitamin and much, Much MORE!!

In this weeks episode, Joe addresses a topic that's long overdo - How to [properly] use chains in the weightroom!  Contrary to what many Personal Trainers believe; the chains at your gym were NOT put there for you to throw over your shoulder and take douchebag Instagram selfies. They actually serve a greater purpose. In fact, they serve many greater purposes!    During this podcast, Joe explains exactly how to set up the chains properly to "accommodate resistance". This leads to greater strength, hypertrophy and power gains! He also reveals how he's successfully used the chains to aid in his athlete's rehabilitation programs. Additionally, he talks about the little-known "suspended chain" set-up that he occasionally uses with his advanced athletes. This set-up provides a totally different training stimulus (compared to the traditional set-up) and should not be overlooked! Joe also discusses the difference between training with chains versus bands (and shares an invaluable personal experience.)  All this plus much, Much MORE! 

In this episode, Joe shines the spotlight on a neglected group of muscles that need a lot more attention than they receive. You may not be able to see the musculature of your upper back when looking in the mirror, but that doesn't mean you should ignore these super important muscles.    Joe explains why so many athletes (regardless of sport) have pre-existing shoulder injuries when they come to him. The "anterior" dominance of sport and daily activities (driving, texting, typing, etc.) has created a society of shortened pecs, poor posture and weak upper backs. When you couple these issues with incompetent personal trainers and coaches (that don't know how to properly design programs), you have a recipe for disaster.    Joe explains exactly how you should be training your upper back in order to correct/prevent shoulder problems and improve your posture - while simultaneously improving power output! He even reveals his Top 6 "Uncommon" Back Exercises that you rarely (if ever) see being performed at your local health club. (You NEED to  incorporate these into your training.)    After listening to this episode, you will undoubtedly have a new perspective on how to train this group of muscles, as well as a new-found respect for their importance.

In this episode, Joe sheds some light on how to train for rugby, MMA, soccer and other "mixed" energy system sports. During the first half of the episode, Joe discusses the different periodization models and the benefits of each. He then reveals how to train for power & aerobic endurance SIMULTANEOUSLY without causing interference or negative effects. HINT: It IS possible to improve your power and aerobic endurance....IF you know what you're doing! In this episode, Joe D. shows you how!! 

This weeks episode is all about the psychology of training and mental toughness. Unlike the physical changes made in the gym (that are very measurable), the mental changes aren't as easy to quantify.  Joe sits down with longtime "DeFranco disciple" Pat Cole to get an athlete's perspective on what it was like to "grow up" in DeFranco's Gym. Pat gives some incredible insight on how he went from a nervous 13-year-old kid to a confident scholarship athlete. He also won the World's Strongest Athlete competition in 2010 in what Joe referred to as "the most epic moment in DeFranco's Gym history." The insight and behind-the-scenes stories in this episode will give you a much better understanding as to why DeFranco's Gym is such a successful brand....(and it has nothing to do with bands, chains or getting athletes to faster.)

In this weeks episode, Joe sits down with the UFC's "Patron Saint of Cutting Weight" - Mike Dolce.  Here are just a few of the things you will learn from their information-packed conversation:  Why Mike considers himself a "longevity advocate" and not a performance coach; Mike's 4 Nutrition Principles that everyoneshould live by; Why the macronutrient profile of your food is NOT the most important factor when eating for health & longevity; Best strategies for keeping your calories low, but your nutrition high; Mike's world-renowned tips & tricks for cutting weight in ahealthy manner; Why you should replace your Gatorade with Mike's [easy-to-make] electrolyte drink; The Top 5 Superfoodseveryone should be eating; Living to be 120-years-old and much, Much MORE!

In this weeks episode, Joe reveals 6 changes that the 40+ crowd can incorporate into their workout in order to keep making gains well into their golden years. Topics of discussion include: The difference between "training to warm up" & "warming up to train"; Joe's 5-Step approach to a complete warm-up; How to replace your max-effort work with sub-maximal work without losing strength; Why you should reduce the amount of direct spinal loading in your program; Joe's favorite "joint-friendly" methods for gettin' JACKED; Why you need to plan your recovery just like you plan your workouts; Joe's new views on aerobic training and how it affects YOUR health and progress in the gym; The ONE question that EVERYONE should ask themselves before EVERY supplement purchase...and much Much MORE! 

In this weeks episode, Joe D. speaks on 6 different training topics. These topics include:    Practical examples of how both Unconventional and Traditional training methods contribute to a football players on-field success; Why he feels CrossFit is NOT an optimal training method for athletes; Advanced Vertical Jump training protocols...and some "Dirty Tricks"; Joe D's tried-and-true Progression for Improving Chin-up Strength; The safest and most effective way to incorporate Ballistic Stretching into your warm-up; Joe D's [extremely practical] prescription for Correcting Anterior Pelvic Tilt...and George DeFranco makes his return! (Apparently he's still PISSED :))

In this weeks episode, Joe gives a quick recap of his vacation then discusses a topic that has come up quite often since the opening of DeFranco's Gym at the Onnit Academy -- Unconventional Training Methods vs. Traditional Barbell Lifting. While most coaches and trainers waste time arguing about which method is "better", Joe feels they both have their place. In this episode, he teaches you how to organize each method into your training in order to get the most transfer to the athletic field or your everyday life!