Think your heart rate tells the whole story of your workout? Think again. In this episode, Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher unpack the myths around heart rate tracking, explaining why it's not the best measure of workout effectiveness — and what you should focus on instead. From hunger hormones to interval training tips, you'll walk away with a smarter approach to training that actually supports your fitness goals.

• Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher look at heart rate, what it actually means and whether it’s meaningful or not when it comes to the effectiveness of your workout.
• With heart rates, we’re looking at how we can move oxygen around the body – all the way where the oxygen is transferred into muscle cells and our active muscle.
• Dr. Fisher explains that as soon as we move into the higher end of our heart rate, we’re in the carbohydrate burning zone.
• When we do strength or interval training, our ghrelin – the hormone responsible for the feeling of hunger – doesn’t go up, so we don’t have a hunger response.
• When we do moderate or low-intensity steady state exercise – and we stay below a certain heart rate zone, we get a spike of the ghrelin hormone.
• Remember: your heart rate is NOT indicative of the quality of your workout.
• Dr. Fisher touches upon EPOC (Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen) and explains what it is and when it may occur.
• Amy and Dr. Fisher discuss interval training and why it’s something you should consider doing if you’ve ever got the chance.
• Something to be cautious about with interval training: If we’re doing it based on heart rate, it typically takes our body a certain amount of time for the heart rate to respond.
• This means that the interval has to be long enough to be effective.
• Next, Dr. Fisher and Amy unpack the concept of resting heart rate and what it means for you in relation to your training.
• As you may be busy looking into your heart rate, just remember that it gets influenced by external factors such as caffeine, stress, dehydration, illness, and lack of sleep.
• A good reminder by Dr. Fisher: When we first start tracking anything, we’ve got to remember that it’s just a snapshot.
• If data is your thing, it's important that you recognize that once you have long-term data, you can start to see trends.
• Dr. Fisher’s take is to “look at heart rate after the fact (e.g. the workout), not looking at it during the event.”
• When you’re thinking about your workouts wondering whether they’re working, Amy suggests asking yourself WHY are you exercising?
• Think about what your goals are with exercising and whether those are happening.

Mentioned in This Episode:

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Apple Watch

FitBit

Garmin

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

Is sweating synonymous with a good workout session? Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher address why people sweat and whether sweat is a reflection of the intensity of your workout. You’ll hear about the different contributing factors that lead you to sweat, something dogs and humans have in common when it comes to losing heat, and why the lack of sweat may end up turning working out into less of a big deal. Get ready for the sweaty truth!

• This episode features a listener question related to one of the factors people look at as a potential indication of the quality of their workout or how hard their exercise session was: sweat.
• Dr. James Fisher kicks things off by explaining why we sweat – and why it has nothing to do with fat loss.
• Dr. Fisher confirms that, unfortunately, sweat is NOT an indicator of the quality of your workout.
• Think about someone sweating because they’re eating spicy food.
• Prone to sweating? That’s simply a sign that your core temperature is starting to rise.
• Dr. Fisher lists a couple of contexts in which someone may start sweating and why that may happen.
• When it comes to losing heat, humans and dogs have something in common.
• Amy Hudson touches upon the fact that not everyone enjoys sweating while training, and how this often turns exercising into less of a big deal.
• Remember: sweating isn’t a product of how hard your body works or your heart rate. It’s simply about the temperature of your body. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

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Previous episode - The Truth About Muscle Soreness: Myths, Recovery, and What to Do Next

Rocky Balboa

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

Everything you need to know about muscle soreness. Hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher talk about why soreness is NOT indicative of the quality of a workout, what causes – and what doesn’t cause – it, the difference between muscle soreness and joint pain, and what you can do to reduce that soreness. If you’re someone who exercises on a regular basis, you can’t miss this one!

• Today’s episode, which is a part of a series that looks at indicators of the quality of exercising, focuses on soreness.
• Dr. James Fisher kicks things off by explaining why soreness – or actually delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS in short) – occurs.
• How a workout was and how novel it was are factors that contribute to DOMS.
• Dr. Fisher and Amy Hudson debunk the myths regarding the role that a high degree of lactic acid plays when it comes to exercising and muscle soreness, as well as the idea of torn muscle fibers.
• Calcium plays a key role in muscular contraction: it initiates the process and interaction between actin and myosin muscle fibers.
• Dr. Fisher touches upon the reason why some people may use compression garments that compress muscles, and why muscle inflammation is actually a good thing.
• You know that feeling in the muscle right after a set or a workout? “The pump”, as it’s often referred to, is a product of an influx of blood to the muscle and a product of muscular contraction and energy production.
• Dr. Fisher and Amy discuss muscle pain – and why the pain itself isn’t actually in the muscle but in the connective tissues and fascia surrounding it.
• Feeling sore after a workout? Going back and doing light exercise can help you alleviate it.
• Dr. Fisher and Amy talk about the so-called repeated bout effect and why it’s a strong reason for you not skipping too many workouts…
• Remember: if you feel sore after a workout, that’s a natural process of your body’s remodeling and rebuilding. Not feeling sore? That doesn’t mean that you didn’t have a good workout!
• As Dr. Fisher puts it: “People will feel sore when exercise is a novel stimulus, but the soreness will alleviate over time as a part of the repeated bout effect.”
• Keep in mind the muscle soreness you feel may actually be joint soreness.
• Dr. Fisher and Amy share some recommendations for working out a muscle group when you feel some muscle soreness.
• A healthy diet (with an adequate protein intake to support the repair process) and sleep are key assets in alleviating muscle soreness.
• Some people overlook the importance of sleep, which is a big marker for our body’s ability to rest, recover, and rebuild.​​
• When feeling muscle soreness, getting on a stationary bike or going for a swim, instead of going for a run, can help with the recovery process.
• Making progressive overload a key "philosophy" of your workout sessions will help you decrease muscle soreness.
• A final, important reminder from Amy and Dr. Fisher: “Soreness is not indicative of the quality of our workout. It’s not a badge of honor.”

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions!

Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

“What happens if I stop strength training?” That’s the audience question hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher address in this new episode of Strength Changes Everything.

Join them to hear about the benefits and negative consequences of doing and stopping strength training, as well as a 2017 study that looked at how a group of people were affected by halting their 6-month strength training.

You’ll walk away with a better understanding of how strength training works and what will happen to your body and mind if you decide to suddenly stop doing it.

• Hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher address a question from a listener: “What happens if I stop strength training?”.
• Dr. Fisher explains that our body will react to the demands that are imposed on it and that, when it comes to muscles, there’s a sort of “use it or lose it” dynamic.
• You can make a muscle-skill analogy: stopping practice will lead to you seeing a deficiency in that skill. The same applies to your muscles.
• The consequences of stopping strength training will depend on several factors, such as someone’s age and training history, their genetics, and how long it took to make those initial muscle adaptations.
• Ceasing strength training completely today could lead to loss of strength and muscle mass, loss of type-2 muscle fibers, loss of cardiorespiratory fitness, an increase in body fat, and body fat percentage.
• Metabolic changes, changes in sleep patterns, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease are additional issues that may arise as a result of an abrupt halt in strength training. 
• Dr. Fisher expects most people who are past their 40s or 50s to start to see the implications and effects of detraining within a 3 or 4-week period.
• Dr. Fisher shares a 2017 German study that looked at the impact of detraining, after having done strength training for several weeks, on a group of elderly people.
• After six months of strength training, those who stopped did lose strength and muscle size, but were still stronger and had more muscle mass than they did at their baseline level.
• The group of elderly people who decided to keep training on their own, after the six months of the initial supervised strength training, lost almost as much strength as the group that had chosen not to train at all.
• For Amy, the 2017 German study makes a case for “If you don’t have a great reason to stop, why should you stop?”.
• Amy lists the benefits of strength training, including improvement of your metabolic health, decreased inflammation, decreased disease risk, improved mood, and improved hormonal state.
• A quote to keep in mind: “You can have all the problems in the world, but if you don’t have your health, you have one problem.”
• Amy and Dr. Fisher explore the mental and cognitive aspects of strength training – and what may happen if you stop it.
• Dr. Fisher points out that people who go to the gym and engage in strength training on a regular basis have a sense of accomplishment in the task, rather than in the outcome itself.
• Amy invites us to be mindful of our brain: it’s always looking for excuses to sabotage the healthy habits that we intend, especially if they’re newer!
• Did you know that being weak is more detrimental to our health than being overweight? Dr. Fisher and Amy explore the “Fat but Fit” paradigm further.
• Dr. Fisher and Amy talk about the scenario in which someone picks up strength training for a month but then stops.

Mentioned in This Episode:

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Dr. Jürgen Giessing

Dr. James Steele

Previous episode - Why Most People Fail in the Gym (and How Supervision With a Personal Trainer Can Help)

Previous episode - The 6 Essential Elements of an Effective Strength Training Program with Matt Brzycki

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

Join hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher for a quiz-style episode to see whether you’re smarter than the average gym goer! 14 questions based on recently-published scientific research will show you how much you know when it comes to your “gym science.”

Tune in to learn more about the recommended protein intake per meal, carbohydrate, the animal- vs plant-based discussion, and the effectiveness of low- and high-load training.

Plus, you’ll finally get to know whether you should opt for multiple-set or single-set resistance training and will hear some gym myths getting debunked live!

• In today’s episode, hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher use a quiz-style format.
• The inspiration for today’s topic comes from the recently published paper Knowledge of Gym Goers on Myths and Truths in Resistance Training.
• The first question of the 14-question quiz addresses whether it’s true or false that protein supplementation augments hypertrophy – a simple increase in muscle size (no additional strength nor health benefits).
• Dr. Fisher touches upon the fact that more gym goers are becoming aware of the importance of protein within our diet.
• As we get older, our ability to absorb protein decreases. 
• 40g of protein per meal, as well as one protein-rich snack, is a good rule of thumb you can follow.
• In the second question of the quiz, Dr. Fisher and Amy focus on whether timing of protein intake influences hypertrophy.
• “Dosage and total volume during the day” and not “timing of protein intake” are the keywords when it comes to hypertrophy. 
• The third question revolves around whether animal protein affects hypertrophy more than plant protein.
• Dr. Fisher explains that, if you’re taking enough amino acids, it doesn’t matter whether you’re vegan, you’re vegetarian or a meat-eater…
• The next question looks at the potential impact creating has on strength.
• Do carbohydrates increase performance in resistance training? That’s what question #5 focuses on.
• According to scientific evidence, carbohydrate supplementation or carbohydrates don’t increase acute performance in resistance training workout.
• Amy and Dr. Fisher talk about the difference between perceived and actual performance.
• The role of magnesium in potentially preventing cramps is what the following question addresses.
• Next, the quiz takes a closer look at the potential impact resistance training has on reducing flexibility.
• When it comes to hypertrophy, is low-load resistance training as effective as high-load resistance training? That’s what question #8 is all about.
• While low-load resistance training is as effective as high-load one, you want to keep in mind the effort level that you train to. 
• The following quiz question looks at the effectiveness of low- and high-load training in the context of maximal strength.
• Dr. Fisher unpacks the concept of Asynchronous Muscle Fiber Recruitment – your brain’s ability to recruit all the relevant muscle fibers in one go (in one muscle action).
• The 10th question brings up something every gym goer has asked themselves at least once: what’s more effective, multiple-set or single-set resistance training?
• Is resistance training to muscle failure necessary for hypertrophy? That’s the scope of question #11.
• Muscle failure refers to the point where you cannot complete another set without changing your posture, your pace, and so on.
• Ever felt as if you were tired and one to end a workout? That’s called volitional fatigue.
• The next question is “Is resistance training over full range of motion superior to resistance training in a partial range of motion for hypertrophy?”
• Question #13 made Dr. Fisher feel amused and appalled all in one – it looks at who, between men and women, benefits more from resistance training.
• In case you’re wondering, no, men don’t benefit more from resistance training than women do..!
• The final quiz question is for all those who have always wondered whether free-weight resistance training is more effective than machine-based resistance training.
• If you got six (or more) answers correct, you are smarter than your average gym goer.

Mentioned in This Episode:

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Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

Knowledge of Gym Goers on Myths and Truths in Resistance Training (Scientific Reports paper)

Previous episode - How to Lose Fat Without Muscle Loss: Science-Backed Solutions with Dr. Wayne Westcott

Previous episode - How to Strength Train Smarter By Controlling Your Range of Motion

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher discuss the critical role of strength training before and after surgery—and why it can make all the difference in your recovery.

They cover how pre-surgery strength sets the stage for success, what to do (and what not to do) after an injury, and how training one side of your body can benefit the other. Tune in to learn why rest isn’t always the best advice, how to train smart during recovery, and what most people miss when preparing for surgery.

• Dr. Fisher starts by explaining the link between strength and surgery recovery.
• He shares how strong you go into surgery matters just as much as the surgery itself. If your legs are weak before that hip replacement, recovery will take longer. But if you go in strong, you'll have a smoother comeback.
• Dr. Fisher reveals why “just rest” after an injury isn’t always helpful and how resting completely might actually slow your healing.
• Amy and Dr. Fisher cover how training your good side can protect the injured one. There are tons of research that highlight how working your healthy arm or leg helps your injured side stay stronger while it heals. 
• How to stay strong even when half your body’s out of commission. You don’t need both sides to train. Work the one that’s not injured, and the other side will benefit too.
• Understand that your body knows how to balance itself up. Dr. Fisher explains that the body always wants to stay balanced. Even if you stop training one side, it will still send positive signals to the other. 
• Amy on why we should stop obsessing over little body imbalances. Perfect symmetry is a myth. There is a very high likelihood that your bones, muscles, and posture are not perfectly aligned or symmetric, and that’s okay. 
• Dr. Fisher explains why two sides can be equally strong but still feel different. Even if both arms lift the same, one might tire faster, be stronger, or be more technical. 
• Amy highlights how training before surgery gives you an edge. As long as your doctor clears it, training safely with a personal trainer can set you up for a faster, stronger recovery.
• Understand that post-surgery rest is temporary, not forever. For Dr. Fisher, you might need a week off after an injury or surgery. But after that, your goal should be to get back to training carefully as part of your healing journey.
• Dr. Fisher covers the best way to ease back into training after surgery.
• Amy and Dr. Fisher talk about the benefits of working with a personal trainer post surgery. Having someone guide you keeps your workouts safe, focused, and way less overwhelming.
• Amy reminds us that being injured doesn’t mean being stuck. You don’t have to sit on the sidelines. There’s still so much you can do if it’s done right.
• Amy and Dr. Fisher agree that strength training isn’t all-or-nothing. You don’t have to be at 100% to train. Working at 40% with intention is still as powerful.

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions!

Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

Hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher discuss all things stretching and muscle soreness with Dr. Dave Behm, author of The Science and Physiology of Flexibility and Stretching.

They cover the most common affliction, when it makes sense to stretch, and for how long you should stretch.

You’ll also hear expert insights on the correlation between stretching and strength, the different stretching approaches, and how they impact your sports performance, as well as a couple of fun facts you probably haven’t heard about…but that are backed by research!

• Today’s episode looks at all things muscle tightness, stiffness, and soreness, as well as the key role of stretching. 
• Hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher are joined by muscle physiology researcher and The Science and Physiology of Flexibility and Stretching author Dr. Dave Behm.
• Dr. Behm explains that, unlike what many may believe, it’s not just elderly people who should stretch – but everyone, since we start to lose flexibility by the age of five.
• In the Western world, low back pain is the most common affliction.
• The main cause for your lower back muscles becoming too stiff? Sitting for long periods of time…
• Dr. Behm provides a breakdown of the impact that being seated for too long has on your body (including the different areas it affects).
• Amy introduces muscle knots into the conversation, and Dr. Behm addresses the difference between muscle knots and general tightness.
• Dr. Behm touches upon the role of collagen, while Dr. Fisher shares his surprise that the hip flexors and pectoral muscles are not the most common pain Dr. Behm mentioned.
• Did you know that, at times, neck pain or headaches can be caused by your hamstrings being too stiff? That’s where the “meridian chain” comes into play.
• Research on so-called “global effects” or “non-local effects” show that stretching your shoulders makes your hamstrings more flexible, and vice versa – stretching your hamstrings makes your shoulders more flexible.
• Have an injury to your right hamstring? Don’t just be sitting around; stretching your left hamstring will help!
• The Cross Education Effect is the process in which, by training one side (e.g., your right arm), the other side (e.g., your left arm) gets stronger too. This has been known since the 1890s.
• Dr. Fisher and Dr. Behm touch upon foam rolling and a study that looked at the impact of doing a similar type of movement.
• A study carried out by Dr. Behm showed that it’s possible to get stronger by stretching on a regular basis and for several days a week (for a minimum of 15 minutes a day).
• There are differences between stretching during a pre-game warm-up routine and stretching to get a semi-permanent increase in range of motion.
• Dr. Fisher shares that the Exercise Coach now offers 20 or 40 minutes of coach-assisted stretching on top of the 20 minutes of strength training.
• Doing slightly too much stretching during your warm-up routine can impact your game or performance by 3-5%... but it can dramatically decrease the chances of you getting injured.
• Remember: stretching doesn’t prevent all-cause injuries, but it can result in a reduction in muscle and tendon injuries, especially with explosive-type activities.
• An additional benefit of stretching is the fact that, by doing it on a regular basis, you tend to get stronger at longer muscle lengths (the so-called force-length relationship).
• Amy talks about a piece of exerbotics equipment called The Crossfire and what it helps clients with.
• Numerous studies by Tony Kay have shown that doing eccentric resistance training has a very positive effect on range of motion as well.
• Dr. Behm discusses a current article he’s writing that focuses on the effect of stretching on relaxation.

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions!

Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com

Dr. Dave Behm

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Dr. Behm’s TEDx Talk: Stretching the Way We Think About Athletes

The Science and Physiology of Flexibility and Stretching by Dr. Dave Behm

Edward Wheeler Scripture 

Jonathon Fowles 

Prof. Tony Kay 

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher discuss the importance of range of motion in strength training and how it impacts performance, injury prevention, and long-term joint health. They cover why strength varies throughout a movement, the dangers of locking out your joints, and the myths about extreme ranges of motion. Tune in to hear expert insights on training smarter, maximizing muscle engagement, and protecting your body for the long run.

• Dr. Fisher starts by defining range of motion and why it’s important for strength training.
• He explains that range of motion isn’t just about flexibility or stretching. It’s about how far and in what direction you can move a joint or muscle, which directly impacts strength, performance, and injury prevention.
• Dr. Fisher explains how strength varies throughout a movement and why it matters.
• Muscles aren’t equally strong at all points in a movement. They are weaker in the fully-lengthened and fully-shortened positions, but much stronger in the middle. Understanding this helps you train smarter and avoid injury.
• Amy highlights the strength curve and why you’re stronger in some positions more than others.
• How to avoid injury by understanding weak points in your range of motion.
• According to Dr. Fisher, every movement has points where your muscles are naturally weaker. Loading too much weight in these positions increases the risk of strain or injury.
• Dr. Fisher on the most important habit for protecting your joints--never lock them out during lifts. When you fully extend your joints under load, you shift stress from your muscles to your bones and ligaments. Keeping a slight bend in your knees and elbows ensures that your muscles, not your joints, handle the weight.
• Amy explains how keeping muscles loaded every second of an exercise maximizes gains. 
• Understand that pausing or locking out during a lift gives your muscles a break and shifts the load away from them. Keeping tension on the muscle throughout the movement ensures continuous engagement, leading to better strength and muscle development.
• Dr. Fisher explains how rushing through reps reduces their effectiveness. Moving in a slow, controlled manner keeps the muscles engaged and working harder, leading to better strength and endurance over time.
• According to Dr. Fisher, younger people may get away with using extreme ranges of motion, but over time, this can wear down joints and connective tissues. Training with a more controlled range of motion helps maintain joint health for the long run.
• Amy explains how going too far back in a lift weakens tendons and ligaments. When you move too far into a stretch during a lift, you stop effectively working the targeted muscle and instead place excessive stress on tendons and ligaments. This weakens them over time and increases the risk of injury.
• Many people assume soreness means a workout was effective, but that’s not necessarily true. Soreness can indicate muscle fatigue or even joint stress, so it’s not the best way to measure progress.
• Amy and Dr. Fisher agree that a well-designed workout should challenge your muscles, not leave you in pain for days. Your personal trainer’s role is to design a program that helps you get stronger while keeping your joints safe and your body functional.
• Amy and Dr. Fisher discuss how training with joint health in mind ensures you stay strong, mobile, and pain-free as you get older.
• Dr. Fisher debunks the myth that you need extreme motion to build muscle.
• Some bodybuilders and personal trainers believe that using a larger range of motion leads to more muscle growth, but research shows that safer, controlled ranges are just as effective. You don’t need extreme movement to see results. The key is maintaining proper muscle tension and control.
• Dr. Fisher’s top tip for rehab and preventing muscle loss. If you’re recovering from an injury, immobilizing the joint completely can lead to muscle loss. Even small muscle contractions help maintain strength and promote healing.
• Amy’s advice for gym-goers and fitness trainers: When working out, make sure your movement stays within a safe and effective range. 
• Proper guidance helps prevent injury and ensures that your muscles—not your joints—are doing the work.

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions!

Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com

Joint-Friendly Fitness: Your Guide to the Optimal Exercise by Bill DeSimone

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher explore the difference between type one and type two muscle fibers—why they matter, how they function, and how to train them effectively. They discuss why neglecting type two fibers can lead to rapid muscle loss and how simple strength exercises can make a huge difference in keeping you strong, mobile, and functional for life.

Join us to hear ways a sedentary lifestyle weakens type two muscle fibers and how small changes in your workouts can have a huge impact on your long-term health.

• What are type one and type two muscle fibers, and why does it matter? Dr. Fisher explains that type one fibers are built for endurance, while type two fibers generate explosive power—think marathon runners versus sprinters or powerlifters.
• Dr. Fisher dives deeper into why we shouldn’t think of our bodies as purely type one or type two. While genetics play a role, the way we train determines how these fibers develop and function over time.
• The Size Principle explains how our bodies recruit muscle fibers based on demand.
• If we only perform light movements, we activate type one fibers, but if we never lift heavy, we neglect type two—leading to faster muscle decline as we age.
• Amy asks whether someone could go decades only recruiting type one fibers. Dr. Fisher says this is a common issue, especially for sedentary individuals like office workers who don’t challenge their muscles regularly.
• According to Amy, the problem with neglecting type two muscle fibers is that they’re the ones that decline the fastest with age.
• If we spend our 30s, 40s, and beyond avoiding high-effort exercise, we’ll lose strength rapidly, making everyday tasks harder over time.
• Amy points out that as we age, our exercise approach has to evolve. What worked in our 20s might not be enough to maintain type two muscle fibers in our 40s, 50s, and beyond.
• So how do we train type two fibers? Dr. Fisher emphasizes that you don’t need to lift extremely heavy weights. The key is engaging in strength training with sufficient intensity to activate those fibers.
• Having a personal trainer overseeing your workouts can go a long way in ensuring you’re training with sufficient enough intensity.
• For Amy, the difference between recruiting type one and type two fibers comes down to duration and intensity.
• For older adults who haven’t exercised in years, strength training is a game-changer.
• Dr. Fisher explains that if the choice is between walking for 20 minutes or strength training for 10 minutes, the latter offers significantly more benefits for health and longevity.
• Resistance is your ally—when applied safely and at the right intensity, it triggers type two muscle fibers and helps us maintain strength as we age.
• Amy and Dr. Fisher agree that maintaining muscle is about more than just fitness—it’s about preserving independence and quality of life.
• Dr. Fisher introduces the concept of concentric and eccentric muscle actions, explaining how both play a role in muscle development. The eccentric phase—where the muscle lengthens under tension—may be particularly effective for type two fiber recruitment.
• He highlights the benefits of exerbotic devices, like those used in The Exercise Coach, which provide more resistance during the eccentric phase.
• Amy talks about the future of fitness, and how embracing resistance training—especially with innovative tools—will be key to staying strong and functional for life.

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions!

Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher dive deep into the science of supervised workouts, sharing research on the benefits of guided workouts. They explore the key differences between supervised and unsupervised training, why many people struggle to train effectively on their own, and how coaching impacts technique, effort, safety, and motivation.

Tune in to hear why men and women respond differently to coaching, ways technology is changing the way we work out, and why a trainer might be the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed.

• Amy and Dr. Fisher start by explaining the difference between supervised and unsupervised training.
• What is a supervised workout? Dr. Fisher defines it as training with real-time feedback from a qualified professional to enhance technique, effort, and safety.
• Dr. Fisher explains why most strength training studies don’t reflect real-world results.
• He reveals that most studies are supervised, testing whether training works under ideal conditions, not whether people can sustain them in daily life.
• Amy highlights the overwhelming evidence supporting strength training. Unfortunately, many people avoid it due to its perceived complexity and difficulty.
• Amy reveals the key reason most people struggle to get started with strength training: uncertainty—people walk into the gym unsure of what to do, which leads to frustration or avoidance.
• Dr. Fisher covers supervised vs. unsupervised training--and why coaching makes a huge difference.
• How supervised strength training consistently leads to better results in technique, effort, safety, and adherence.
• What makes personal training invaluable?
  • Effort: Pushing beyond your comfort zone. Trainers help clients train at the right intensity, ensuring they work hard enough to see real results.
  • Motivation: Having a coach boosts engagement, making training feel less like a chore and more like a rewarding experience.
  • Safety: Dr. Fisher emphasizes that people who train alone are far more likely to get injured compared to those with professional supervision.
  • Accountability: Working with a trainer creates external accountability, making it far more likely that people show up and stay consistent.
  • Smart programming: Coaches tailor workout plans to evolve over time, adjusting intensity, resistance, and exercise selection for steady improvement.
  • Technique: A coach ensures correct form, preventing injuries and maximizing the effectiveness of each exercise.
• How technology is transforming strength training. Dr. Fisher and Amy discuss the role of exerbotic machines and augmented feedback in optimizing workouts and improving results.
• Learn why different clients need different coaching approaches. Amy explains that beginners need more focus on technique, while advanced clients benefit from coaching on effort, mindset, and fine-tuning their performance.
• Dr. Fisher explains that while positive feedback is key, research shows that well-timed negative feedback—urging someone to push harder—can drive significant progress.
• The trainer-client relationship is more than just fitness. Dr. Fisher reveals that many people compare their relationship with a trainer to that of a doctor or dentist, highlighting the trust and accountability involved.
• Men vs. women: How supervision affects training differently. Dr. Fisher discusses a study showing that men feel more confident maintaining high effort and safety, while women tend to benefit more from supervision.
• Why female clients push harder with a coach. Amy highlights that women often maximize their effort in strength training when working under professional guidance.
• If you struggle to give your best effort in workouts, Amy encourages you to check out The Exercise Coach and work with a trainer for faster, better results.

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions!

Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.