The Bodybuilding.com Podcast

Shoes off in the gym has become a common practice among heavy lifters, but is it actually beneficial? The answer is not so simple. When is the best time to toss the shoes aside? Whatever you do, just keep those damn socks on...

We've come a long way since static stretching was all the rage. Practices like yoga and foam rolling have grown in popularity over the years, but there's still space for static stretching in your routine. Today we explore the optimal warm-up and cool-down practices for peak performance and recovery.

Bodybuilding.com is turning 26! Since 1999, BBCOM has brought the top supplements, programs, and workout tips for millions of fitness enthusiasts. Let's take a look back at some of our most memorable moments.

Bodybuilding.com is welcoming two new Signature™ products to the roster, offering a host of great benefits. From performance to immune health, let's break down exactly why adding greens and a multivitamin will help you reach your goals.

EAAs and BCAAs have grown in popularity over the last few years, but which one is best for you? Today we discuss the benefits of both, so you can decide which one to add to your daily stack.

Let's expand on the age old question- do you need to frontload creatine? It may not be necessary, but it certainly has it's benefits. Here are three ways to effectively frontload creatine monohydrate.

We hear the word "detox" everywhere, but what are the real foolproof ways to release environmental toxins? Let's break it down with these three tips. Hint: heat is KING.

The explosive rise of strength training has everyone chasing gains. Today we discuss strength's endless benefits, and why progressive overload in your training is crucial for real change.

It may still be winter, but it's never too early in the year to start crushing your weight loss goals. Try these three fitness tips to shred fat fast.

Master Coach Craig joins us again in the studio to talk fundamentals around building muscle and mass, the benefit of knowing and testing your one rep max, and why programmatic development is not hyper dependent on sex.

No, we aren't referencing the 70's rock band. This simple mindset can help you stop overcomplicating your approach to fitness.

Steve Marada is the Head of Product Development for Bodybuilding.com. A Master of Nutrition and Formulator for over two decades, Steve focuses on supplement innovation for the brand. Listen in to learn about the role of a formulator, how he developed our new wave of Signature, and which products match your goals. 💪 About the guest: Founder of Insight Nutrition and co-founder of Genceutic Naturals, Steve has over 20 years in the CPG and nutraceutical industry. Marada also served as Divisional Vice President – Private Brands at The Vitamin Shoppe, and is now sharing his sourcing, formulation, and product development knowledge for Bodybuilding.com. He has lifelong experience in the industry, and is now bringing his expertise to our supplement innovation.

Feeling bloated? Tired? Unmotivated? Say no more. Here are 3 tips to get back on track from the holiday sludge.

Welcome to the BBCOM App, where you can workout, track metrics, shop supps, and connect with users. Download now to become a founding member and gain access to our introductory pricing. Getting fit just got easier. 💪

Coach Craig is your go-to strength coach. A former Strongman and current Coach at Westside Barbell, his goal is to teach you how to build muscle, strength and confidence under the bar.

Sshh.. don't tell your friends these are macro healthy cookies. Give these a try for your next holiday gathering.

Ken Yu, CPT brings energy that doesn't overshadow his educational guidance—working out with him is like working out with your lifting buddy. Focused on functional movements with ultimate results, Coach Ken empowers you to use your body and improve your life. He believes fitness is more than a hobby; a lifestyle that comes with infinite rewards. Using strength movements to increase the ability to complete everyday tasks for the long game is of the utmost priority. Before fitness, Ken worked in the corporate world as an attorney. A natural athlete who enjoys playing sports, he joined a functional fitness gym and fell in love, sparking his journey as a fitness coach. Now, finding himself fittest at 40, Ken encourages mental resilience training in his sessions—encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone and push yourself to new limits, no matter how old you are. Learn more about Ken and his journey to becoming a Bodybuilding.com Master Coach in the latest podcast episode.

We’ve been on a mission to provide you with an entirely new app experience here on Bodybuilding.com serving both as a personal trainer in your pocket and a way to connect with like-minded individuals. This week we wanted to introduce you to the coaches you’ll be working out with once the app debuts.

Yadira "Yaya" Vargas empowers you to find the intentionality behind your movement. She believes the why defines your how—getting the results you want, in and out of the gym. Bringing her innate sense of helpfulness to coaching, she encourages the freedom and power to move in a way that suits your daily mood but grounded intention. Known to be adaptable, Yaya says that fitness should feel good—not be a punishment. Her nonlinear journey into fitness started with a humanitarian career. Traveling to disaster-stricken areas to offer aid, Yaya found herself enjoying helping others, but also the physical requirements of the gig. Returning home and settling into a marketing career, she knew something was missing. At a turning point, Yaya stumbled across a gym in Manhattan, and knew her fate was decided—the visceral impact fitness had hooked her. Learn more about Yaya and the journey that led her to becoming a Bodybuilding.com Master Coach in this latest podcast episode.

It’s that time of year again when the sniffles sing and the coughs ring. There are a few things that you can do to try and combat these pesky illnesses so you don’t have to miss your favorite holiday celebrations.

Harry Vargas, CPT pushes the limits in and out of the gym. Injecting creative movements into his programming, his tough love and no-nonsense approach challenges you to work hard while having fun in the process. An avid marathon runner (3:15 in the NYC Marathon! 🤯), Harry specializes in training for endurance, hybrid and body recomp. He believes every goal can be accomplished— with a good coach, a consistent program, and the willingness to push past discomfort. In today's mini-episode we sit down with Harry to talk about his new endeavor as a Bodybuilding.com Master Coach and how he got into coaching.

RYSE is now available on Bodybuilding.com. With their extensive product catalog and iconic flavor licensing, RYSE uses clinical evidence and the latest science to fuel their mission to fuel greatness without selling shortcuts. Find out which products you can stock up on in this latest episode.

Eating on the go has become a habit for many but needs to be broken. Plan your meals ahead and when you sit to eat, don’t do so at your desk or while distracted. It’s time to be present and let the food fuel you.

You don’t have to sprint home for the eggs or scarf down a protein bar on the way out of the gym. There are more significant ways to get protein that don’t just have to do with timing.

Until recently we were really only concerned with living longer. However, with life expectancy experiencing a drop, a fulfilling life has become about quality not quantity.

In this episode we talk with Anthony Crouchelli about the importance of community in fitness and how he’s transformed the run club experience with his run club More Than Miles where runners are encouraged to talk to one another instead of competing for time. About the guest: Anthony Crouchelli is the Founder of More Than Miles. He is the VP of Talent & Content at LiteSport, partner of Rebel Union and Alpha Fit Club, and a founding trainer at Grit Boxing. Soccer player turned top fitness expert, Anthony has transformed the traditional workout into a holistic transformation of mental and physical growth dubbing his motto as, “one rep at a time” and ultimately creating the 1 method. Previously working at top fitness studios such as Rumble, Barry’s Bootcamp, Performix House and more, Anthony is now transforming failing gym franchises in some of the nation’s top performance studios through his consulting business, gym rescue. He has 10+ years of boxing experience and has various certifications inside the fitness space including, CFSC, USA Boxing, and NCSF. He’s been featured in USA Today, The View, GMA, NBC, People Magazine, Shape Magazine, and Reader’s Digest.

If this key mineral isn’t part of your daily routine, this one’s for you. Magnesium plays a vital role in muscle contraction and relaxation helping to prevent cramps and supports overall muscle performance. Make sure to consult with your health provider before starting a new supplement regimen.

Having a stress-free bedtime routine is easier said than done. The reality is when it’s time to go to bed, we don’t have time to truly decompress making falling asleep difficult. The solution? Mindfully slowing down your respiratory rate.

Welcome back to BBCOM, Kaged! Started by leaders in the supplement space with a combined 30+ years' experience, Kaged has made it their mission since day one to be transparent and honest with their customers. Today we’ll break down what products will be available on our site.

Think you’ve mastered the deadlift? Respectfully, you haven’t. One of the only strength exercises that works your body from head to toe, we've got a few tips to serve as reminders before your next lift.

ICYMI: Picking the right shoe MATTERS. Today we break down the importance of footwear as it pertains to specific movement patterns and why the one size fits all approach doesn’t pertain to sneakers. About the guest: Jake Boly is the Founder of That Fit Friend. He's often regarded as a go-to resource in various performance shoe communities. He’s been reviewing shoes and training gear for over 7 years and has hand-tested over 400 pairs of shoes. Jake is known on the internet and YouTube for blending his review processes with strength sports, and personal training background. Jake has a Masters in Sports Science, a Bachelors in Exercise Science, a CSCS, and he's been personal training for over 10 years helping hundreds of clients get stronger, lose weight, and accomplish their goals. He uses his exercise science brain and personal training background to make curated and thoughtful review content on the fitness gear he's testing. Watch or listen to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify or Apple. 🎧

Did you know it takes an average of 16 sessions (or longer) to notice muscle growth? No matter where you are on your fitness journey there is one thing for certain if you’re aiming to change your body composition: pick up those heavy weights.

Jump into a convo about what it takes to become a professional Strongman athlete, how those qualities transfer to everyday life, and a viral moment that brought with it it's own learning lessons. Craig Bongelli’s journey in the world of strength and conditioning is as intense as it is inspiring. From his early days in boxing to becoming a professional strongman under the mentorship of legends like Louie Simmons and Bill Kazmaier, Craig's path has been anything but ordinary. After a dramatic strongman career, marked by a viral accident and remarkable recoveries, Craig shifted his focus to coaching, where he guided world champions and everyday heroes alike. Today, he’s authored three books centered around body transformation and recomposition. Most recently, he returned from a stint at Westside Barbell, diving into their latest training methodologies, which will be featured in an upcoming series here at Bodybuilding.com. Join us as we talk through his insights and stories from a lifetime of pushing physical and mental boundaries.

Millennials and Gen Z are swapping nightclub culture for adventures in nature. A whopping 61% of both generations are aiming to drink less in 2024 citing goals of both physical and mental health as just two of the five top reasons to ditch booze.

One full year of letters focused on living a longer and healthier life through movement, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and consistency. To thank you for your dedicated support, we're giving you a sneak peak at what's to come and leaving you with our top five Bodybuilding.com long-form podcast episodes from the last year to inspire you this week and beyond.

Hate running? You're not alone. Though what if we could convince you that there's more than meets the calf cramp when it comes to logging miles? Check out the benefits in today's audio.

The typical foods we correlate with the first meal of the day were mostly constructed by marketing conglomerates. Today we’re breaking open the morning routine that’ll leave you feeling energized and primed for the day ahead.

In this episode we break down why NOT being #1 can be used to your advantage, how to switch fitness focuses effectively and building a base through aerobic fitness for performance and longevity. Lance Parker grew up in Oklahoma City and played soccer for Missouri State University before embarking on his 7-year professional soccer career. Lance played Goalkeeper for teams in the MLS and NASL such as Chivas USA, Miami FC, and FC Edmonton. Upon retiring from the sport, Lance moved to New York City and created his performance coaching company, Parker Peak Performance, where he specializes in coaching trail and ultra runners and helps his athletes optimize their strength, endurance, and mental fortitude, among other key performance attributes. He's currently competing in the "grand slam" of ultra running which consists of 4 of the oldest 100-mile races in the country, all run within 14 weeks. He has completed the Old Dominion 100 and the Vermont 100 and will be racing the Leadville 100 and Wasatch Front 100 next. Watch or listen in to the full episode on YouTube, Shopify or Apple. 🎧

Flying can be a pain-literally. Keep these five tips top of mind the next time you're gearing up for a trip. ✈️

Creatine is arguably the most beneficial supplement you can be taking. Don’t believe us? Listen in.

GET HOT 🔥 Consistent sauna use has overwhelmingly physiological and psychological benefits to help you live a longer and healthier life. We sat down with Peter Nelson, the founder of Sisu Saunas, and chatted through the many ways in which heat therapy and contrast therapy can help with the prevention of chronic and fatal diseases along with improving both depression and anxiety. Pete is the Founder of SISU Lifestyle, an Ohio-based brand whose purpose is to make wellness premium and simple by fostering connection and health in every household through sauna & cold plunge. Listen in to the full episode now live on the Bodybuilding.com YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts. 🎧

Stuck in a never ending cascade of flight or fight mode? Today's Catalyst is for you. Learn how to navigate stressors of everyday life through a few habit adds.

Heat therapy, specifically sauna use, has exploded in the U.S. over the last several years. So much so that the market is predicted to grow from $126.55 billion to $181.06 billion by 2028. In other words, heat, is in. Using the sauna in the summer months might be the last assumption you'd make for your health, but consistent weekly use is now being linked to metrics that decrease risk for all-cause mortalities. Listen in for more.

We sat down with wellness fitness pro, Alex Silver-Fagan to talk intentional movement theories, finding your identity outside of the gym, and learning to embrace spirituality and sexuality as an extension of oneself. Alex is dedicated to transforming lives through the unique blend of strength training, yoga, and mindful living. She is the creator and founder of the method “Flow Into Strong™️”, a Nike Trainer, Kettlebell Specialist, yoga teacher, author, and public speaker. She uses her expertise and voice as a guiding force leading individuals towards self-discovery and empowerment in every movement and moment. She is launching her very first full length video program this summer with yoga practices and workouts. Find the full episode on YouTube, Spotify or Apple. 🎧

The perfect “diet” doesn’t exist, but there’s one cuisine that’s packed with anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases

Welcome back to The Catalyst. Here are 5 book recommendations that will help you feel, look, and live healthier.

We're breaking down weight loss 101 and distinguishing myths versus facts. In this episode, we welcome Jacob Zemer, and talk through eating and moving with weight loss in mind, along with tips for staying the course while grocery shopping, vacationing and living everyday life. Jacob is a performance coach who works remotely with executive level clientele helping them lose weight through nutrition, exercise, and accountability. He has an authentic approach to fitness and nutrition designed for people with demanding careers, families, and real life priorities. He works with people who are concerned with their health and for whom fitness is a passion, but not the number one priority.

Flow state, by definition, is the mental state in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. Once you master the art of achieving flow state, you’ll be chasing it daily. Concentration will improve, thus leading to higher rates of productivity. It can declutter the mind, leaving you feeling less stressed and overwhelmed. And, my personal favorite, it’ll simply leave you with good vibes. You’ll feel satisfied and unbothered. Lighter and brighter. You’ll be going with the flow in no time. Here are our top five tips for finding your flow. 🌊

Today we're sitting down with Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Zack Zillner, who breaks down how to create a winning college athlete and why it goes beyond the weight room itself. In this convo we'll also touch on sport-specific training and what movements can be correlated to better performance on the court, field or turf. Zack is the Women's Basketball Sports Performance coach at the University of Texas. He’s a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He has his CPR-AED Certification from the American Red Cross and has Levels 1 and 2 certification from the Titleist Performance Institute. Zillner earned his bachelor’s degree in sport science, with an emphasis in exercise science, from the University of Kansas. He currently develops, implements and supervises the training regimen for the Texas women’s basketball team in the areas of speed, strength, agility, conditioning and flexibility. He also works with the areas of sports medicine and performance nutrition at the university. Zillner has experience at three NCAA Division I institutions, most recently serving as Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Kansas. At KU, he was the sports performance coach for the women’s basketball, softball, women’s golf and women’s tennis teams. He worked directly with 2017 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Newcomer of the Year Jessica Washington. He also assisted with men’s basketball, including 2017 National Player of the Year Frank Mason, and was responsible for the development of incoming athletes.

Welcome back to The Catalyst. Muscle has become the miracle drug of our generation. Get out there and get jacked. Your life depends on it. Here are three ways to gain muscle.