The Exercise Room

By The Blade

Professional Sports & Recreation College & High School

What's The Exercise Room about?

The Exercise Room is a weekly sports podcast produced by The Blade in Toledo, Ohio. Published each Tuesday at 6 p.m. the show features host Phillip Kaplan with Blade Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda, Blade Sports Columnist David Briggs, University of Michigan beat writer Kyle Rowland, audio producer Will Tomer, and special guests.

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The Exercise Room episodes:

08.29.2018
Episode #48: Their Greatest Hits (2017-2018)
In a star-studded affair, The Exercise Room looks back and reminisces on the past year. Blade Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda and sports columnist David Briggs are joined on the mics by audio producer Will Tomer -- in his final episode...
08.22.2018
Episode #47: Talkin' (College) Football
A jam-packed Exercise Room —- featuring Blade Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda, sports columnist David Briggs, and staff writers Kyle Rowland, Brian Buckey, and Nicholas Piotrowicz -- delves into the nitty-gritty of college football with the season fast approaching. You can learn...
08.14.2018
Episode #46: Urban Meyer's Fate (and More!)
Blade Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda, sports columnist David Briggs, and staff writer Brian Buckey discuss the latest happenings in the Urban Meyer saga. Team E.R. also finds a little time to discuss some other major happenings in college...
08.07.2018
Episode #45: What happens to Urban Meyer?
Blade Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda and Big 10 beat writer Kyle Rowland discuss the Urban Meyer situation at Ohio State. What will happen to Meyer? And what does he deserve? You can learn more about The Exercise Room here: http://www.toledoblade.com/sports/2018/03/28/Listen-to-The-Exercise-Room-a-Blade-sports-podcast.html
07.31.2018
Episode #44: Big Backs
Blade Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda is joined in the palatial Exercise Room studios by staff writers Javonte Anderson and Nick Piotrowicz. A free-wheeling conversation moves between college football, basketball, and boxing, as the guys discuss Robert Easter's recent bout. You can...
07.24.2018
Episode #43: Live at MAC Media Day
Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda and Blade sports columnist David Briggs take in the sights and sounds of MAC Media Day. Along the way, they chat with three important figures in college football: Toledo Rockets wide receiver Cody Thompson; Bowling Green...
07.10.2018
Episode #42: Live at the Marathon Classic
The Exercise Room heads out into the field today, as Blade Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda and Blade staff writer Kyle Rowland speak with LPGA golfers Stacy Lewis and Rachel Rohanna ahead of this year's Marathon Classic. Thanks for listening, stay fit...
06.26.2018
Episode #41: Talkin' Baseball
The boys of the Exercise Room discuss America's pastime this week, specifically analyzing what the path forward will be for both the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers. Thanks for listening, stay fit out there! You can learn more about The Exercise...
06.12.2018
Episode #40: King James & the World Cup
This week on The Exercise Room, team E.R. weighs in on the future of LeBron James. Where will the G.O.A.T. end up after a disappointing conclusion to his season? Sports editor Jeff Svoboda, Blade sports columnist David Briggs, Ohio State...
06.05.2018
Episode #39: Fore! (with Marathon Classic tournament director Judd Silverman)
Marathon Classic tournament director Judd Silverman stops by The Exercise Room ahead of this year's tournament to talk a little golf with Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda, Blade sports columnist David Briggs, Michigan beat writer Kyle Rowland, and Blade staff writer...
05.29.2018
Episode #38: Fame (Makes a Man Take Things Over)
The Exercise Room features a skeleton crew this week — Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda, Blade sports columnist David Briggs, and producer Will Tomer — but that does not mean Team E.R. shys away from the big discussions. Several false starts and...
05.22.2018
Episode #37: FREE CHILI (feat. sports announcer Anthony Bellino)
The Exercise Room welcomes Toledo-area sports announcer Anthony Bellino. You may recognize Mr. Bellino's voice as the PA announcer for the Toledo Walleye (where he famously promotes free chili for power-play goals), Toledo Rockets basketball, and Michigan Wolverines basketball. Mr....
05.15.2018
Episode #36: The Keygate at Seagate
Breaking controversy dictates today's episode of The Exercise Room, as Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda, Blade sports columnist David Briggs, and Blade education reporter Javonte Anderson discuss the kerfluffle over Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz's decision to award Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim...
05.01.2018
Episode #35: Party at Napoli’s
The Exercise Room welcomes special guest Joe Napoli! The president and CEO of the Walleye and the Mud Hens was gracious enough to sit down with us in the studio, which he gave a new nickname: The Shoebox. Host Phil Kaplan,...
04.24.2018
Episode #34: Dang ol’Darnold
The Exercise Room returns at regulation full strength to wonder that most lustrous of existential questions: How does Cleveland mess this one up? Blade Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda tells us about his trip to D.C., where he ushered in the close...
04.17.2018
Episode #33: T-Town Hockey (feat. Walleye beat writer Mark Monroe)
It’s The Exercise Room’s first ever full-on hockey episode, replete with penalty minutes, power plays, waiting in the hallway afterwards. Toledo Walleye beat writer Mark Monroe joins as a guest to call all the egregious offsides infractions by the E.R....
04.10.2018
Episode #32: Get Me The Mayor! (feat. Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz)
The Exercise Room is greeted by Toledo royalty as we welcome special guest Mayor Wade Kapsukiewicz to talk about the Mud Hens home opener, his one year as Muddy the mascot, the history of the team before they were even...
04.03.2018
Episode #31: Michigan’s Feat Got No Rhythm
The Exercise Room continues to boldly go where podcasts have always been going as we have our first call-in guest! Thankfully it is only Blade Columnist David Briggs, so we know how to handle his twang as he calls in...
03.27.2018
Episode #30: A New Dance Partner (feat. Toledo Rockets Assistant Basketball Coach Kyle Barlow)
The Exercise Room is fully an adult now with its 30th episode! And we go out the last Tuesday in March like a lion with special guest Kyle Barlow, an assistant coach for the University of Toledo Rockets men’s basketball...
03.20.2018
Episode #29: Dance Fever
The Exercise Room is back at full strength this week, which is good because we’re hoisting championships over here! Sports editor Jeff Svoboda, columnist David Briggs, and University of Michigan beat writer Kyle Rowland join host Phillip Kaplan to compare dance...
03.13.2018
Episode #28: Bracket Racket!
The Exercise Room has it’s inaugural NCAA mens’ basketball tournament show! (We think we can still say that.) Phillip Kaplan returns to hosting duties as he and Blade Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda, columnist David Briggs, and Ohio State beat writer...
03.06.2018
Episode #27: We're Playing Bas-ket-ball
This week on The Exercise Room, Blade sports editor Jeff Svoboda and Michigan beat writer Kyle Rowland discuss college basketball with University of Toledo beat writer Brian Buckey. With usual host Phillip Kaplan and Blade sports columnist David Briggs both absent,...
02.27.2018
Episode #26: New Digs
On the 26th installment of The Exercise Room, it is a new day with the same guys and (mostly) the same stuff. Team ER moves to a new recording space and talks everything from the potential demise of the NCAA...
02.20.2018
Episode #25: Quarter-Life Crisis
As the Exercise Room turns 25 and moves out of its ex-girlfriend's apartment to start anew, your team ER stalwarts dive into a hodgepodge of Olympic competition, college basketball excitement, the dribbling of NBA players, and the crown jewel of...
02.13.2018
Episode #24: GOALIE FIGHT
For Valentine’s Day, the Exercise Room finally gets some ice time! It took the rarefied air of a goalie fight to get us there, but the crew welcomes Walleye beat writer Mark Monroe into the Exercise Room to talk about the...
02.06.2018
Episode #23: Visions of Doom
After a fast and furious Super Bowl LII, the Exercise Room is back and fixated, as always, on what it all means for the Cleveland Browns' record setting Bernie Kosar. Host Phil Kaplan, Blade sports editor Jeff Svoboda, sports columnist...
01.30.2018
Episode #22: Glass City Goons
We are still here, don't worry! After a week off to revel in the mountains of Utah and the desert of Las Vegas, the Exercise Room makes its triumphant return. In this episode, the panelists of Michigan beat writer Kyle Rowland...
01.17.2018
Episode #21: Fight Club
This week the Exercise Room runs out of uniforms as we have six (6!) competitive competitors in competition in studio. Team E.R. welcomes first time guest, the Blade's Javonte Anderson, who spent several weeks with Robert Easter, Jr., and will take...
01.10.2018
Episode #20: The First Football Olympiad
The Cleveland Browns celebrated their ‘perfect season’ with a joyous parade and The Exercise Room was in attendance. Blade Sports Columnist David Briggs and Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda discuss their trip to the First Energy Stadium Sadness Factory, which is typically...
01.02.2018
Episode #19: Year of the Dawg
The Exercise Room made it to 2018 with a win, but the Cleveland Browns did not. Though the parade is officially on, a few members of Team E.R. are absent from this episode — columnist David Briggs and Michigan beat...
12.26.2017
Episode #18: 2018 and Life to Go
That's it. The dumpster fire that was 2017 is nearly over, but The Exercise Room is still standing, sitting, and standing up again — and like any good repetitive exercise, it’s healthy to take a break and reflect on progress....
12.19.2017
Episode #17: Chrismakes and misses
For the final functionally real episode of the year — a 2017 year-in-review is still to follow! — The Exercise Room discusses another week in sports and whatever it is the Browns continue to be allowed to do. Blade sports columnist...
12.12.2017
Episode #16: Turn That Brown Upside Down
After a one-week hiatus due to illness and the removal of wisdom from the Sports Editor’s collection of teeth, The Exercise Room returns to discuss the charitable theatre foundation parading under the NFL’s courtesy title of "Cleveland Browns." The panel of...
11.28.2017
Episode #15: A Kumite of "The Game"
After a drama-filled Ohio State win over Michigan, The Exercise Room panelists examine the Buckeyes chances of becoming the first two-loss team to make the College Football Playoff. Blade sports columnist David Briggs, returning guest and Ohio State beat writer Nick...
11.21.2017
Episode #14: Scarlet, Maize, Gray, Blue, And You
The Exercise Room takes an in-depth look at the penultimate football spectacle of the season: Ohio State vs. Michigan. Better than Thanksgiving and Christmas combined, this annual match-up has playoff implications for one team and vital morale importance to the...
11.14.2017
Episode #13: Can a Falcon Beat a Rocket?
Composed of Blade sports writers David Briggs and Kyle Rowland, and Sports Editor Jeff Svoboda, with host Phillip Kaplan and producer Will Tomer, this week the Exercise Room visits the I-75 rivalry and the UT/BG game’s implications for both team’s...
11.07.2017
Episode #12: I Am The Captain Now
The Exercise Room celebrates Jeff Svoboda’s ascension to the role of Interim Sports Editor at The Blade. [Clapping] Then the rest of the panelists — David Briggs, Phillip Kaplan, and Kyle Rowland — dive into a week’s worth of sports....
10.31.2017
Episode #11: Briggs and Rowland Do Battle (with Special Guest Steve Junga)
This week on The Exercise Room, panelists David Briggs and Kyle Rowland spar over college football rankings. Meanwhile, Blade high school football expert Steve Junga joins the group — including Jeff Phillip Kaplan and Jeff Svoboda — to discuss the...
10.24.2017
Episode #10: Ohio State v. Penn State (Plus: The Browns Are Still Bad)
Ohio State vs. Penn State is shaping up to be one of the year's biggest games. The panelists — David Briggs, Phillip Kaplan, Kyle Rowland, and Jeff Svoboda — discuss the matchup. In addition, the Cleveland Browns find new ways...
10.17.2017
Bonus: Toledo Walleye Season Preview (with Special Guest Mark Monroe)
The Blade's Toledo Walleye beat writer Mark Monroe joins The Exercise Room crew to discuss the Walleye's upcoming season.
10.17.2017
Episode #9: The NBA Starts and the Cleveland Browns Flail
With the Cleveland Cavaliers attempting to overtake the Golden State Warriors once again, our weekly panelists — David Briggs, Phillip Kaplan, Kyle Rowland, and Jeff Svoboda — discuss the start of the NBA season. The ever-futile Cleveland Browns also get...
10.10.2017
Episode #8: Can the Tribe survive? (with Special Guest Nick Piotrowicz)
The Cleveland Indians are facing a do-or-die game against the New York Yankees. Meanwhile, the Browns continue to struggle, and both Michigan and Ohio State continue to move wearily throughout the Big Ten. Buckeyes beat writer Nick Piotrowicz makes a...
10.03.2017
Episode #7: A Eulogy for the 2017-2018 Cleveland Browns (but the Lions and Indians!)
The bell seems to have already tolled on the Cleveland Browns, but there is plenty to optimistic about when it comes to the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Indians. The Exercise Room has you covered for all three.
09.26.2017
Episode #6: The Art of the Kneel (with Special Guest Steve Junga)
The weekly panelists discuss the political controversies swirling around the NFL, as well as the controversial finish to Sunday’s Detroit Lions contest. Special guest Steve Junga also jumps aboard to talk a little high school football.
09.19.2017
Episode #5: Are the Toledo Rockets legit? Are the Detroit Lions the best team in the NFL?
This week, David Briggs, Phillip Kaplan, Kyle Rowland, and Jeff Svoboda discuss the Toledo Rockets exhilarating win over Tulsa with Brian Buckey, before diving into the emerging Big Ten race and developments in the NFL.
09.12.2017
Episode #4: Ohio State and Cleveland drop, the Indians soar
While breaking a sweat in The Exercise Room this week, the panelists — David Briggs, Phillip Kaplan, Kyle Rowland, and Jeff Svoboda — analyze the defeats of both the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns. The guys also take...
09.08.2017
Special Episode: A Very Frank Episode
In this special episode of The Exercise Room, The Blade's retiring Sports Editor Frank Corsoe discusses some of his fondest memories on the job — a number of which involve going out for lunch.
09.05.2017
Episode #3: Ohio State and Michigan start strong. Will the Browns?
This week in The Exercise Room, the weekly panelists — David Briggs, Phillip Kaplan, Kyle Rowland, and Jeff Svoboda — chat about Ohio State vs. Indiana and Michigan vs. Florida. The guys also make their predictions for the Browns' season...
08.31.2017
Episode #2: Kizer and Kyrie and the Tribe (Oh My!)
In the second edition of The Exercise Room, the panelists — David Briggs, Phillip Kaplan, Kyle Rowland, and Jeff Svoboda — discuss the emergence of DeShone Kizer, Jim Harbaugh, the Tribe's postseason chances, the Kyrie trade, and more.
08.25.2017
Episode #1: College Football Preview
In the first edition of The Exercise Room, Jeff Svoboda and his panelists — David Briggs, Phillip Kaplan and Kyle Rowland — discuss the upcoming football seasons for teams like Ohio State, Michigan, Toledo and the Cleveland Browns.

What's The Exercise Room about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Exercise Room episodes:

Episode #48: Their Greatest Hits (2017-2018)

Episode #47: Talkin' (College) Football

Episode #46: Urban Meyer's Fate (and More!)

Episode #45: What happens to Urban Meyer?

Episode #44: Big Backs

Episode #43: Live at MAC Media Day

Episode #42: Live at the Marathon Classic

Episode #41: Talkin' Baseball

Episode #40: King James & the World Cup

Episode #39: Fore! (with Marathon Classic tournament director Judd Silverman)

Episode #38: Fame (Makes a Man Take Things Over)

Episode #37: FREE CHILI (feat. sports announcer Anthony Bellino)

Episode #36: The Keygate at Seagate

Episode #35: Party at Napoli’s

Episode #34: Dang ol’Darnold

Episode #33: T-Town Hockey (feat. Walleye beat writer Mark Monroe)

Episode #32: Get Me The Mayor! (feat. Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz)

Episode #31: Michigan’s Feat Got No Rhythm

Episode #30: A New Dance Partner (feat. Toledo Rockets Assistant Basketball Coach Kyle Barlow)

Episode #29: Dance Fever

Episode #28: Bracket Racket!

Episode #27: We're Playing Bas-ket-ball

Episode #26: New Digs

Episode #25: Quarter-Life Crisis

Episode #24: GOALIE FIGHT

Episode #23: Visions of Doom

Episode #22: Glass City Goons

Episode #21: Fight Club

Episode #20: The First Football Olympiad

Episode #19: Year of the Dawg

Episode #18: 2018 and Life to Go

Episode #17: Chrismakes and misses

Episode #16: Turn That Brown Upside Down

Episode #15: A Kumite of "The Game"

Episode #14: Scarlet, Maize, Gray, Blue, And You

Episode #13: Can a Falcon Beat a Rocket?

Episode #12: I Am The Captain Now

Episode #11: Briggs and Rowland Do Battle (with Special Guest Steve Junga)

Episode #10: Ohio State v. Penn State (Plus: The Browns Are Still Bad)

Bonus: Toledo Walleye Season Preview (with Special Guest Mark Monroe)

Episode #9: The NBA Starts and the Cleveland Browns Flail

Episode #8: Can the Tribe survive? (with Special Guest Nick Piotrowicz)

Episode #7: A Eulogy for the 2017-2018 Cleveland Browns (but the Lions and Indians!)

Episode #6: The Art of the Kneel (with Special Guest Steve Junga)

Episode #5: Are the Toledo Rockets legit? Are the Detroit Lions the best team in the NFL?

Episode #4: Ohio State and Cleveland drop, the Indians soar

Special Episode: A Very Frank Episode

Episode #3: Ohio State and Michigan start strong. Will the Browns?

Episode #2: Kizer and Kyrie and the Tribe (Oh My!)

Episode #1: College Football Preview