Squats! an excellent choice exercise with a great return on investment. However, it is also the exercise with many myths surrounding its execution and safety. Everybody has an opinion on some of these myths and so do the Machas. We give you our take on a few of the hottest myths that surround it.

If you’ve watched a Badminton game or basketball or even soccer you’ve probably seen it: strips of colorful tape splayed in patterns across shoulders, knees, backs, and abs. That’s kinesiology tape: a therapeutic tape that’s applied strategically to the body to provide support, lessen pain, reduce swelling, and improve performance. Listen to the machas talk about the history of the tape and its effects on athletes. Does it really work or is it just for show?

This week the machas are keeping it simple. 10 mistakes that we see most beginners and intermediates make in and out of the gym that are keeping them from making gains. From poor structure to poor sleeping patterns, over training to over supplementing this episode delves into the mistakes that most people are making but don't realize it.

The day has come for the machas to discuss a topic that is usually very much controversial. Let's talk SARMs. Performance enhancing drugs has plagued the sports field for the longest period of time and WADA is strongly advocating a fair playing field. Safety of the athletes always comes before anything else. However, we the machas feel that educating our listeners about this new and upcoming drug is absolutely important. Listen in as we discuss in detail where science is with this drug and what we know so far.

Today is yet another historical episode for the machas. We have with us our first female athlete on the podcast. A woman with so much charisma and genuinely enjoyable to talk to. It was none other than Dr Syazana Alia. She has won quite a few running events including major ones, who also loves strength training especially CrossFit. What makes this even more special is that Dr Syaz was thrown a curve ball by life that would have crumbled most people, but she being the person she is, was determined to come back stronger. Listen in as she shares her experience with us and gives her takes on why women should exercise and not be afraid of strength training.

Mobility , flexibility and recovery is a big deal in the lifting world. The machas took it upon themselves to dwell into one of the biggest tool used to improve all those parameters. Let's talk FOAM ROLLING. Like everything the machas discuss, we put our biasness aside, so that we can talk science and discuss its applicability in the real world. Don't mind the banter.

The Machas are back! after taking a 2 week period off from recording they have returned to bring you guys the spicy science of lifting. On this week's podcast the Machas talk about one of the supplements that has been widely used not just by gym goers but also by the general masses. A supplement that has made such bold claims yet has been disputed many times by the scientific community as to the efficacy of its use and whether or not it has been proven. Listen as the machas break down the science behind these fat burners and see if it really does what it says it does.

What does it take to be a competitive bodybuilder?

This week the Machas talks to one the OGs of Bodybuilding in Malaysia. None other than, Mr Kumareswarren, owner of Body Factory Gym and Fitness. Kumar has won and placed top 3 in numerous competitions both in the local and international scene including the FM League Asia Championship in 2017. Kumar tells us his story of how once a big sized kid found his passion in bodybuilding at a very young age and pursuit it with so much of determination to become who he is today. Despite all that he has achieved, Kumar is a very down to earth guy and we truly enjoyed our conversation with him.

We are all stoked for the gyms to reopen and so are the Machas. But with that being said, returning to training has to be done in a graceful manner. Injury is the main issue we are trying prevent let it be ligamentous, tendinous or muscular. Training hard in a deconditioned state is definitely a bad idea hence why we are laying down some advise on how you can return safely. Keep an eye on frequency, volume load (intensity relative volume :IRV) and rest periods. IRV of 20-30 initially and gradually working down to IRV of 11-20 for strength dominant athletes. Volume following the 50/30/20/10 rule may also help.

All this is to restore your fitness to train and hopefully it all goes well and you can experience the return of the gains.

In this episode the machas make history as we have our first guest speaker Mr. Kevin a successful competing physique athlete and a full time coach. Kevin is a 2x back to back CHAMPION in the UK WNBF and has helped many of his clients with their transformations through nutrition and resistance training. In fact, Kevin has coached Luke in his last Men of Steel. Listen to Kevin speak about what he believes people should have if they want to invest in this sport and the qualities a person should have if they want to go far.