In this episode of MASS Office Hours, Dr. Eric Trexler and Dr. Eric Helms answer questions submitted by listeners and viewers in the live chat. Topics include stretch-mediated hypertrophy, lengthened partials, mindfulness, optimal lengths for bulking and cutting phases, natural limits for strength and muscularity, maintenance blocks in training, improving sleep quality, Ramadan fasting, back training, and much more.

0:00 Intro

3:52 Stretch-mediate hypertrophy

39:38 Why mechanistic speculation is risky

41:47 Why replication is important in science

46:53 Dealing with recurring setbacks in the gym (illness, injury)

52:31 The role of mindfulness in fitness

1:02:32 Optimal lengths for bulking and cutting phases

1:05:07 Natural limits for strength and muscularity

1:12:42 Are prolonged “maintenance blocks” necessary in your training?

1:16:37 Pursuing a graduate degree in exercise science

1:18:50 Growing your arms

1:22:42 Improving sleep quality

1:26:55 Ramadan fasting

1:33:20 Back training