

Iron Culture presented by MASS
MASS Research Review
Iron Culture was started 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 focuses on dispensing practical, useful information to the listener, bouncing from history, to philosophy, to contemporary lifting culture issues, to science.
Iron Culture is proudly presented by the MASS Research Review.
Iron Culture is proudly presented by the MASS Research Review.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 19min
Ep 351 - New Research on Constrained Model and NSAIDs
 Dive into cutting-edge fitness research with insights on the constrained energy expenditure model and its recent critiques. Discover how NSAIDs impact muscle growth, with new findings revealing potential benefits and risks for athletes. The hosts also explore international PhD structures, highlighting the fascinating differences in programs across countries. From metabolic adaptations during pregnancy to the intriguing world of thesis publication, this discussion blends science with practical advice for fitness enthusiasts and aspiring researchers alike. 

Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 8min
Ep 350 - Eric Helms Returns
 In tonight's episode of Iron Culture, Dr. Eric Helms returns with stories from his competition and associated travels. Topics include jet lag, dehydration, miscalculated use of laxatives and sleep aids, getting stitches in a Taiwan emergency room, autographed Eric Helms trading cards, Eric's 5th place finish at a pro show, autoregulated dieting, and much more.If you're in the market for some new gym gear or apparel, be sure to check out our friends at elitefts.com - use our code (MRR10) for a 10% discount.Time stamps0:00 Intro5:06 Bodybuilding "stars" in Taiwan (and autographed Eric Helms trading cards)22:13 Navigating jetlag29:48 Helms getting stitches in Taiwan34:08 Inadvisable use of laxatives41:47 Show placings54:30 "Autoregulated dieting" 

Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 13min
Ep 349 - Elite Weightlifting: An Inside Look (ft. Wil Fleming)
 In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler interviews Wil Fleming, a level five senior international coach with USA Weightlifting. They discuss Wil's journey into Olympic weightlifting, the importance of mental resilience, and the technical aspects of teaching Olympic lifts. Wil shares insights on managing arousal levels during competitions, the significance of routines, and many other factors that contribute to successful weightlifting at the highest level.Be sure to support our friends over at elitefts.com by using our discount code (MRR10) to save 10% on your next order of lifting gear or apparel.Head over here to check out Wil's new book:www.strongmindtraining.comChapters0:00 Introduction2:42 The Journey into Olympic Weightlifting7:28 Teaching the Olympic Lifts: Progressions and Prerequisites32:10 Mental Aspects of Weightlifting: Building Resilience48:22 The Importance of Pre-Performance Routines54:30 Mentally Preparing for Setbacks in Competition58:32 Managing Arousal Levels in Competition1:05:42 Water cuts in weightlifting1:09:42 Final Thoughts and Book Info 

Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 20min
Ep 348 - What Does Your Favorite Fit Pro’s PhD Actually Mean?
 A recent dust-up in the evidence-based fitness world has sparked a lot of discussion about credentials. How are they earned, what do they represent, and how do they impact the way we engage with someone's content, recommendations, or products? This episode of Iron Culture discusses all of that (and more).Be sure to support our friends over at elitefts.com by using our discount code (MRR10) to save 10% on your next order of lifting gear or apparel.Time stamps:0:00 Intro4:42 The big dust-up10:01 What goes into a PhD?17:40 Who decides whether or not a PhD is good enough?28:43 Three important points41:36 What does a PhD actually mean?49:47 Evaluating someone's credentials in a given area59:49 Practical tips for assessing claims/creators 

Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 16min
Ep 347 - New Retraction (and What It Means For "Evidence-Based" Fitness)
 In a solo show, Dr. Trex dives into the recent retraction of an apple cider vinegar study that claimed significant weight-loss effects. He details the findings, their statistical issues, and the messy retraction process, emphasizing the shortcomings of publishing systems. The conversation highlights the importance of community scrutiny of research and the need for a true evidence-based approach that combines experience with critical analysis. Trex also warns about the potential dangers of AI-generated studies and the academic bias towards novel findings. 

Sep 25, 2025 • 1h 23min
Ep 346 - Helms Updates + Q&A
 Eric Helms, a respected strength coach and exercise researcher, joins the discussion to clear the air about recent misconceptions regarding his dedication to strength sports. He shares fascinating experiences from his international travels, including a fitness education event in Bali. Helms also delves into strategies for overcoming jet lag and offers insights on hypertrophy and exercise mechanics. With an upcoming competition on the horizon, he reflects on the evolving fitness landscape and the importance of community in training. 

Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 10min
Ep 345 - Hot Topics in Fitness (ft. Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple)
 Join Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, a doctoral researcher and fitness myth-buster, as she unpacks the truth about creatine supplementation. She addresses female-targeted marketing and debunks claims about lower creatine levels in women. The discussion also dives into the rise of creatine gummies and their effectiveness. Moreover, Lauren highlights the crucial role of exercise in enhancing bone health and preventing fractures, emphasizing practical training methods and dietary considerations. 

Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 22min
Ep 344 - Sports Science In Elite Athletics (ft. Dr. Marc Lewis)
 In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler interviews Dr. Marc Lewis, the director of Applied Sports Science for the Houston Texans. They discuss the role of sports scientists in maximizing athlete performance through data collection, management, and analysis. Marc shares insights on the day-to-day responsibilities of a sports scientist, the importance of understanding athlete load and stress, and the evolution of sports science in the NFL. They also explore the future of sports science careers and provide advice for aspiring sports scientists.Need some lifting gear? Use our discount code (MRR10) over at www.elitefts.comKeep up-to-date with Dr. Lewis and his projects:https://drmarclewis.com/Instagram: @marctlewisTwitter/X: @marctlewisChapters00:00 Introduction to Sports Science in Football01:47 What Does a Sports Scientist Do?7:26 From Data to Decisions11:00 Navigating the Data Overload23:13 Applied Data Versus Peer-Reviewed Evidence27:20 Applying Sports Science Insights to Strength Coaching34:46 The Reality of Overtraining in Elite Sport Versus General Fitness45:17 The Extremes of Human Performance51:01 Unique Needs of Elite Athletes56:45 The Current State (and Future) of Sports Science in America1:09:46 Building a Career in Sports Science 

5 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 28min
Ep 343 - Q&A: Is Collagen Useful?
 The hosts dive into the intriguing world of collagen supplementation, weighing its benefits and controversies surrounding tendon health and muscle recovery. They also unravel effective creatine usage, discussing dosages and potential cognitive boosts. Insights on muscular endurance reveal its critical role in strength sports, with training strategies highlighted to enhance performance. The discussion includes practical dieting tips for reducing food focus, ensuring a well-rounded approach to athletic performance and well-being. 

Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 29min
Ep 342 - New Data: Does Growth Really Drive Strength Gains?
 In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Trexler and Eric Helms discuss various topics including the ongoing debate about the relationship between muscle growth and strength gains. They discuss brand new findings from the largest and longest-running study on resistance training, explore the implications of "apparent" sex differences in strength gains, and emphasize the need for nuanced statistical analysis in understanding the factors that contribute to strength gains and observed sex differences.Want to read a thorough analysis of the article we discussed in this episode (and many more)? Support the show by joining the MASS Community at massresearchreview.comChapters00:00 Intro09:10 The Debate on Muscle Size and Strength12:30 New Research on Muscle Strength and Size20:45 Exploring Sex Differences in Muscle Training26:40 The Hierarchy of Evidence in Research32:00 Relationships Between Strength And Muscle Size36:40 Lifting For Sport: History And Changing Cultural Norms39:00 Back To The Study Results (Understanding Sex Differences in Strength Gains)42:15 Nuances of Statistical Analysis: Relationships Between Strength And Muscle Size54:10 Aside About Collegiate Sports In USA56:50 Causal Discovery Analysis in Strength Research1:08:00 Summary and Conclusions: The Role of Muscle Growth in Strength Gains1:21:45 Listener Question: Sample Sizes in Exercise Science1:27:10 Outro 


