The Strength Log

Daniel Richter & Philip Wildenstam

Learn about strength training, muscle growth, fitness, and health from The Strength Log podcast. Your hosts, Daniel Richter and Philip Wildenstam, are two Swedes who have spent decades lifting weights and an unreasonable amount of time reading studies about lifting weights.

We break down the science, answer listener questions, and help you get bigger and stronger without making this whole gym thing more complicated than it already is.

To support the show, download the StrengthLog workout tracker for free from Apple's App Store or Google Play.

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30 episodes
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Avg 44 min
English

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#112
June 1 · 43 min
How Bad Is Alcohol for Your Gains?
Most of us already know that alcohol can have bad consequences for our health, but how much will a couple of drinks after a workout affect our bodies' ability to recover and build new muscle mass? And what about binge drinking? That's what we're here to find out, and in this episode, we dive headfirst into umbrella cocktails in search of answers to what alcohol does to our muscle growth, hormones, and fat storage. We discuss the studies that have looked at alcohol consumption and strength training, and offer our recommendations on this hotly debated and sensitive topic. Cheers! *** Do you like what you hear so far? Please leave a five-star review in your podcast player. And hit that follow button! You can also follow us on Instagram. You'll find Daniel at @strengthdan, and Philip at @philipwildenstam. Become a part of our Reddit community here. *** This podcast is brought to you by Styrkelabbet AB, Sweden. To support us, download the world's best gym workout tracker app StrengthLog here. It's completely ad-free and the most generous fitness app on the market, giving you access to unlimited workout logging, lots of workouts and training programs, and much, much more even if you stay a free user for life. If you want a t-shirt with "Train hard, eat well, die anyway", check out our shop here.
#111
May 25 · 41 min
Protein Myths & Truths
Can you slow your aging by eating a low-protein diet? Is protein really more satiating than fat and carbs? And does an upper level of safe protein intake exist? In this episode, we discuss the evidence behind eight common protein claims, aided by a new article published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, in order to find out what we can be basically sure about – and which claims lack science to support them. Timestamps: 03:00 - Presentation of today's topic: Protein myths and truths 04:30 - Protein proposition 1: Optimal protein intake per meal is crucial for muscle growth, with upper and lower limits that affect muscle mass. 08:45 - Protein proposition 2: Higher protein intake preserves lean mass and muscle strength during weight loss. 12:00 - Protein proposition 3: Protein is the most satiating of the macronutrients and helps to reduce energy intake. 16:00 - Protein proposition 4: An appropriate protein intake can slow aging and promote longevity. 21:45 - Protein proposition 5: The theory of protein leverage, meaning that we eat until we've covered our protein needs, and that a higher-protein diet will make you consume less total energy. 24:15 - Protein proposition 6: Dietary protein benefits can be optimized equally and effectively with plant and animal proteins. 28:45 - Protein proposition 7: There is a threshold above which too much protein can be detrimental to health. 33:15 - Protein proposition 8: Protein and chrononutrition: timing of protein intake can affect health *** Do you like what you hear so far? Please leave a five-star review in your podcast player. And hit that follow button! You can also follow us on Instagram. You'll find Daniel at @strengthdan, and Philip at @philipwildenstam. Become a part of our Reddit community here. *** This podcast is brought to you by Styrkelabbet AB, Sweden. To support us, download the world's best gym workout tracker app StrengthLog here. It's completely ad-free and the most generous fitness app on the market, giving you access to unlimited workout logging, lots of workouts and training programs, and much, much more even if you stay a free user for life. If you want a t-shirt with "Train hard, eat well, die anyway", check out our shop here.
#110
May 18 · 43 min
How Good Are 30-Rep Sets for Muscle & Strength?
If you're training with weights close to your max versus weights that you can lift 30, 40, 50, or even 60 times, what difference does it make? In today's episode, we're looking at a study that examined exactly this. And even though we were a bit underwhelmed by the study design, it led to a great discussion! To bring you even greater value, we answer your best questions on the topic. See the timestamps below. Timestamps: 04:30 - Today's topic: How good are 30-rep sets for muscle and strength? 24:00 - Question 1: Is the total volume lifted king? If I lift 10,000 kg, does it matter how many sets or reps I spread the volume over? 26:45 - Question 2: No question, but I truly hate high reps, so I hope you say good things about low reps. 28:30 - Question 3: When doing low reps and low sets (2-3), should you always go to failure in every set? 34:15 - Question 4: Is it good to periodize low and high reps when your goal is strength? Or should you just do low reps for life? 38:45 - Question 5: Is low or high reps more suitable if you're over age 40 or 50? *** Do you like what you hear so far? Please leave a five-star review in your podcast player. And hit that follow button! You can also follow us on Instagram. You'll find Daniel at @strengthdan, and Philip at @philipwildenstam. Become a part of our Reddit community here. *** This podcast is brought to you by Styrkelabbet AB, Sweden. To support us, download the world's best gym workout tracker app StrengthLog here. It's completely ad-free and the most generous fitness app on the market, giving you access to unlimited workout logging, lots of workouts and training programs, and much, much more even if you stay a free user for life. If you want a t-shirt with "Train hard, eat well, die anyway", check out our shop here.
#109
May 11 · 1 hr 3 min
How to Get Big Arms
How do you get big arms? In this episode, we go over the exercises, the programs, and the muscles important for developing your biceps and triceps into big guns. To help guide us, we asked for your questions on the topic of arm training – and you guys and gals delivered once again! In total, we answer seven arm-specific questions; see the timestamps below. Timestamps: 09:45 - Today's topic: How to get big arms – muscles worked, exercise selections, sets and reps, and more. 29:30 - Question 1: Are supinated lat pull-downs a good or great way to build biceps? 37:30 - Question 2: Are compound exercises enough for big arms? 42:30 - Question 3: What's a reasonable growth to expect from following a good arm routine for someone who's not a beginner? 47:15 - Question 4: I thought it was as easy as "as long as you bend your elbow, your biceps are working." But people on social media are talking about wrist angles and different grip widths, as if a 2 cm wider grip on the bar would make you an Arnold-contestant, while your current grip only activates your glutes or something. How much does it actually matter? 50:00 - Question 5: How does 'long-limbed' bloke get them to grow (or at least show more shape and width from the front, especially). Yes, yes, we know there are different muscles to train. But some of us are a shape that doesn't seem to respond, or at least doesn't show easily visually. 54:45 - Question 6: Any good ideas on how to avoid elbow pain and other issues with tendons and such on a high volume/intensity arm-focused program? 57:45 - Question 7: Should you dedicate one day or several days weekly to arms? *** Do you like what you hear so far? Please leave a five-star review in your podcast player. And hit that follow button! You can also follow us on Instagram. You'll find Daniel at @strengthdan, and Philip at @philipwildenstam. Become a part of our Reddit community here. *** This podcast is brought to you by Styrkelabbet AB, Sweden. To support us, download the world's best gym workout tracker app StrengthLog here. It's completely ad-free and the most generous fitness app on the market, giving you access to unlimited workout logging, lots of workouts and training programs, and much, much more even if you stay a free user for life. If you want a t-shirt with "Train hard, eat well, die anyway", check out our shop here.
#108
May 4 · 1 hr 7 min
How to Lose Fat without Losing Muscle (Step-by-Step)
How do you lose fat without losing muscle? In today's episode, we go over and rank the most important factors for achieving this holy grail, and present you with our step-by-step guide to help you focus on what truly matters. After that, we answer a bunch of your questions on the topic of fat loss and strength training. Timestamps: 04:00 - Today's topic: How to lose fat without losing muscle mass 30:30 - Question 1: Which is more harmful to the muscles when losing weight, a big caloric deficit or a lack of training? 32:15 - Question 2: How do I know if I'm losing fat and not muscle, with or without a scale? 36:30 - Question 3: Do I need to modify my strength training volume and/or intensity when trying to lose fat? 42:15 - Question 4: How should I split my calories when losing fat while still maintaining as much muscle mass as possible? I'm currently getting 40% of my calories from carbs, 30% from fat, and 30% from protein. Any suggestions? 46:15 - Question 5: How does fat loss and muscle gain change with age? Being 49 and a late starter in strength training, it seems hard to gain or retain muscle without also getting a bigger belly. 51:30 - Question 6: Could you talk about Lyle McDonald's rapid fat loss stuff. Seems brutal but efficient. 56:30 - Question 7: I'm currently undergoing a 3-month fat-loss phase with a daily caloric deficit of around 500 kcal. Is it a good idea to take a one-week diet break in the middle, to regain some strength in the gym, and then go back to a caloric deficit? I feel like my recovery and progression take a really bad hit during my cut. *** Do you like what you hear so far? Please leave a five-star review in your podcast player. And hit that follow button! You can also follow us on Instagram. You'll find Daniel at @strengthdan, and Philip at @philipwildenstam. Become a part of our Reddit community here. *** This podcast is brought to you by Styrkelabbet AB, Sweden. To support us, download the world's best gym workout tracker app StrengthLog here. It's completely ad-free and the most generous fitness app on the market, giving you access to unlimited workout logging, lots of workouts and training programs, and much, much more even if you stay a free user for life. If you want a t-shirt with "Train hard, eat well, die anyway", check out our shop here.
#107
April 27 · 49 min
Strength Training Before and After Menopause
The mean age for menopause is 50, but some women enter perimenopause at 40 or even earlier. What do the hormonal changes of menopause mean for your strength training results, muscle mass, body fat levels, and quality of life? In this episode, we discuss a major new study comparing strength training outcomes before and after menopause, and give you our recommendations for how to strength train when affected by menopause. After that, we dive headfirst into your topic-related questions, including one about strength training through the different stages of the menstrual cycle! Timestamps: 00:00 - Today's topic: Strength training before and after menopause. 18:30 - Question 1: According to my own study (myself vs guys I meet at the gym), I'm clearly stronger on reps than my 1RM suggests, while all guys I meet seem to be stronger on singles than reps. Is it just me being stubborn as a donkey and a coward when it gets heavy, or is it a real male/female difference? 21:45 - Question 2: I wonder what the science says about sex differences when it comes to relative progress? For the bench press, guys who started later than I did are progressing much faster, while I stay stuck at 2.5 kg plates. I understand that there are tons of individual factors at play, but it feels like a pattern, and I'm getting frustrated. 24:45 - Question 3: Is it true that higher reps and lower weights become less effective after menopause, compared to lower reps with heavier weights? 28:00 - Question 4: Not a question about menopause, but what about pregnancy: can you strength train pretty much like usual if you feel alright? 31:00 - Question 5: What about women who lift really heavy weights and pee themselves? Why does it happen, and is it more common than people think? 37:30 - Question 6: What does recent research say about strength training and strength levels during the different phases of the menstrual cycle? And how do female sex hormones affect strength and recovery? *** Do you like what you hear so far? Please leave a five-star review in your podcast player. And hit that follow button! You can also follow us on Instagram. You'll find Daniel at @strengthdan, and Philip at @philipwildenstam. Become a part of our Reddit community here. *** This podcast is brought to you by Styrkelabbet AB, Sweden. To support us, download the world's best gym workout tracker app StrengthLog here. It's completely ad-free and the most generous fitness app on the market, giving you access to unlimited workout logging, lots of workouts and training programs, and much, much more even if you stay a free user for life. If you want a t-shirt with "Train hard, eat well, die anyway", check out our shop here.
#106
April 20 · 1 hr 3 min
Mailbag! The Ultimate Back Workout, and More
How do you combine Brazilian jiu-jitsu with strength training? What does the ultimate back workout look like? And how much do we bench, bro? We're back with another mailbag, thanks to you sending us so many great questions a week ago! See the timestamps below for all questions. Timestamps: 06:30 - Question 1: How much do you bench, bros? 11:15 - Question 2: How would you, as big, heavy, not young men, go about running a half-marathon? 17:40 - Question 3: How do I combine Brazilian jiu-jitsu and strength training? 22:45 - Question 4: Construct the ultimate back workout with a maximum of 5 exercises. Deadlifts are trained on a separate day. 28:00 - Question 5: What are your favorite features in the StrengthLog workout tracker app? 38:30 - Question 6: Tips for a 30+ years old strongman looking to keep competing past 40? 45:50 - Question 7: What are your thoughts on isometric holds above 1RM for strength gains? 49:45 - Question 8: Deadlifting in lifting shoes with a raised heel, is it beneficial or just personal preference? 53:00 - Question 9: My sister is starting her journey with strength training now. What can she look forward to in the following weeks if she sticks to your program "Beginner Strength Training Program"? 58:10 - Question 10: I am a forest worker, a very physically demanding job. I have little time and energy after work, but I want to build muscle and become stronger. What kind of exercise/program/split would you recommend for me? *** Do you like what you hear so far? Please leave a five-star review in your podcast player. And hit that follow button! You can also follow us on Instagram. You'll find Daniel at @strengthdan, and Philip at @philipwildenstam. Become a part of our Reddit community here. *** This podcast is brought to you by Styrkelabbet AB, Sweden. To support us, download the world's best gym workout tracker app StrengthLog here. It's completely ad-free and the most generous fitness app on the market, giving you access to unlimited workout logging, lots of workouts and training programs, and much, much more even if you stay a free user for life. If you want a t-shirt with "Train hard, eat well, die anyway", check out our shop here.
#105
April 13 · 51 min
Mailbag! How to Handle Injuries, Bulking, and More
How do you get back from injuries? Balance your strength training with a competitive sport? And what is the optimal rest time between sets? We asked for questions, and as always, you guys and gals delivered! Lots of fun stuff to talk about this week. In fact, we got so many good questions that we'll probably do a mailbag next week, too. Timestamps: 04:15 - Question 1: For fat loss, which is more effective: sprints or 10k steps per day walking? I'm also lifting weights 5 days a week and in a caloric deficit. 10:20 - Question 2: What is the optimal rest time between sets when muscle building is the focus? 16:45 - Question 3: How do you balance strength training with competitive sports? 21:30 - Question 4: What should your macros be when bulking? 27:00 - Question 5: If I train bench press and lateral raises, do I also "have to" train shoulder presses? 31:00 - Question 6: Daniel talks about getting a leg pump. Which program or workout is best for building big legs? 34:00 - Question 7: Do you always follow programs when you work out, or do you do more random training mostly? 37:45 - Question 8: Do you ever go to the gym (or garage) together with your wives? Why? Why not? 40:45 - Question 9: How do you handle injuries? I'm referring to your thoughts, mindset, and getting back to your desired level of performance. *** Do you like what you hear so far? Please leave a five-star review in your podcast player. And hit that follow button! You can also follow us on Instagram. You'll find Daniel at @strengthdan, and Philip at @philipwildenstam. Become a part of our Reddit community here. *** This podcast is brought to you by Styrkelabbet AB, Sweden. To support us, download the world's best gym workout tracker app StrengthLog here. It's completely ad-free and the most generous fitness app on the market, giving you access to unlimited workout logging, lots of workouts and training programs, and much, much more even if you stay a free user for life. If you want a t-shirt with "Train hard, eat well, die anyway", check out our shop here.
#104
April 6 · 50 min
Debunking 10 Popular Bodybuilding Myths
Does spot reduction work? Will your muscles grow faster if you confuse them? And does fasted cardio burn more fat? In today's episode, we look into a new article published in the Strength and Conditioning Journal, and discuss ten popular bodybuilding myths to see which ones can be debunked. Timestamps: 04:15 - Myth 1: Periodization is necessary to maximize muscle growth 08:15 - Myth 2: Muscle confusion leads to optimal muscle growth 13:30 - Myth 3: Training to failure is required to gain muscle 18:30 - Myth 4: Cardio training will significantly harm muscle growth 23:45 - Myth 5: Lifting will make women bulky 27:45 - Myth 6: Bodybuilders need to follow strict and restrictive diets 33:00 - Myth 7: You need to eat every three hours 35:45 - Myth 8: You need to consume protein immediately after your workout 39:15 - Myth 9: You can target specific areas to lose body fat 44:00 - Myth 10: Fasted cardio burns more fat *** Do you like what you hear so far? Please leave a five-star review in your podcast player. And hit that follow button! You can also follow us on Instagram. You'll find Daniel at @strengthdan, and Philip at @philipwildenstam. Become a part of our Reddit community here. *** This podcast is brought to you by Styrkelabbet AB, Sweden. To support us, download the world's best gym workout tracker app StrengthLog here. It's completely ad-free and the most generous fitness app on the market, giving you access to unlimited workout logging, lots of workouts and training programs, and much, much more even if you stay a free user for life. If you want a t-shirt with "Train hard, eat well, die anyway", check out our shop here.
#103
March 30 · 39 min
The Problem with Exercise for Weight Loss
In theory, it's simple: just exercise more to lose weight. In practice, that is rarely what we see happen. Why is that? In this episode, we discuss a new, really cool study that looked into one of the many ways our bodies adapt and react when we suddenly start burning more calories than we eat. There is more going on than us becoming more lazy the rest of the day, or simply compensating by eating more calories—and these are the kind of insights we're here for! *** Do you like what you hear so far? Please leave a five-star review in your podcast player. And hit that follow button! You can also follow us on Instagram. You'll find Daniel at @strengthdan, and Philip at @philipwildenstam. Become a part of our Reddit community here. *** This podcast is brought to you by Styrkelabbet AB, Sweden. To support us, download the world's best gym workout tracker app StrengthLog here. It's completely ad-free and the most generous fitness app on the market, giving you access to unlimited workout logging, lots of workouts and training programs, and much, much more even if you stay a free user for life. If you want a t-shirt with "Train hard, eat well, die anyway", check out our shop here.

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