Episodes

The Drop Set – Episode 165 0:00 – An opening word about the current virus situation but more importantly a discussion about home gyms! 23:14 – Kaia (AZ) once again keeping the show afloat, this time with questions regarding adduction and abduction exercises at home 31:00 – Darin (TN) takes the stage with a personal update with some samples from recent days in the studio 45:31 Erin (MN) Questions about fiber and timing and how that relates to other carb sources or carb subsets

The Drop Set – Episode 164 0:00 – Intro! Studio update with a new demo – things are taking shape! 10:47 – A quick update on my own workout status and overall progress 25:15 Kaia (AZ) Working around possible cancellations of shows, let’s talk recommendations! 33:20 Let’s talk a bit about adaptability

The Drop Set – Episode 163 0:00 – Intro! Derby update! Music update! Quick Coronavirus update and then SCREW THAT NOISE 16:35 – A quick note about dealing with adversity in these interesting times! 23:28 Heather (NJ) asking about full range of motion vs. intentional partial range of motion 31:24 Kaia (AZ) asking about deload weeks! 38:11 Darin (TN) wants to talk to everyone about working from home – not working OUT, just working. As someone who’s been doign this for the past 7 years, I thin...

The Drop Set – Episode 162 0:00 – Intro! Quick music update from over the weekend 6:03 – Coronavirus update, just what everyone wants to hear! Including some tips on how to keep things as safe as possible. 16:55 Erin (Minneapolis, MN) has questions about the difference or appropriateness of drop sets vs. rest/pause 27:12 Heather (NJ) asking about muscle maturity – how does it impact things AND how do we achieve it? 33:45 Billy (Rockford, IL) is asking about getting a little LESS lean during...

The Drop Set – Episode 161 0:00 – Intro! Surprise episode, new music, studio recap 12:37 – Time to talk about everyone’s favorite topic that I know NO ONE is sick of yet – the Coronavirus! Specifcally as it relates to bodybuilding – discussing potential show closures, how to be safe in the gym, and more. 23:19 Marc (Dallas, TX) called in asking about tempo and if it has a direct correlation at all to strength output – no spoilers here! 28:29 Mary (TX) is asking about the difference between P...

The Drop Set – Episode 160 0:00 – Back to it! Puppy update! 11:02 – Jesse from ND has a good question on dealing with an unplanned daily caloric shortfall – a few possible approaches to this! 18:29 – Drew from WA talking about emotional manipulation from others as a part of prep – good conversation starter! 28:09 – Joey from CA is wondering about blood flow restriction, or occlusion training – I have a *bit* of first hand experience with to share 33:58 – Personal update time! Saved the wors...

The Drop Set – Episode 159

The Drop Set – Episode 158 0:00 – Intro! Music, lifting, diet, and PUPPY news 11:10 – Hyman from CA is asking about mass gainers, and specifically trying to dig in on what he’s heard about them with regard to kidney function. 17:11 – Paula from MO is wondering about adhering to a diet in the face of parties, get togethers and such. It’s a common question and problem so I cover it from a few different perspectives here! 27:45 – Paula again with a SWEET, easy salmon recipe that’s exactly what ...

The Drop Set – Episode 157 0:00 – Intro! Short and sweet (you’re welcome!) 2:41 – Are you ready for probably the dumbest bit of training advice you’ve ever heard? Get ready and have a trash can nearby in case the sheer stupidity of this makes you almost hurl, like it did me. 15:24 – Mea Culpa. My math knowledge isn’t what it used to be! Thanks Kevin for calling me out on my bullshit incorrect usage of certain functions! 19:47 – Steve from Belgium with some questions on chest activation – who...

The Drop Set – Episode 156 Watch out, we’re working without a net here. NO set agenda for today’s episode, it’s just incoherent and random garbage from the word ‘go’ – you’ve been warned!

The Drop Set – Episode 155 0:00 – Whoa, new intro music! Since I felt like indulging in sharing a new demo, I figured I’d try to make it relevant to bodybuilding – did it work? 16:37 – Conor (Houston, TX) has a couple good questions – we dig into specifics on post-workout nutrition timing and also composition to some extent, and then also the age old question: how many meals a day is best? 27:36 – Martina (Overland Park, KS) is struggling with cardio and sweating – so yeah, there’s an obvious...

The Drop Set – Episode 154 0:00 – Welcome back to me! A bit of an unexpected break but back in action at last! 3:10 – Rachel has a great conversation starter about weight belts – what do they do, why use them and when are they a BAD idea? 13:39 – Shocking I know, but I have some opinions on the new Peloton ad that’s been making the rounds and being criticized all over the place. 25:35 – An extended personal update talking about my recent trip and also an explanation of why the podcast has be...

The Drop Set – Episode 153 0:00 – I kick things off today with several updates! Personal, Taz-related, band-related, and also lawn-related – the final one of 2019! 12:24 – Let’s talk turkey. Thanksgiving (and holidays in general) are a huge source of anxiety for most bodybuilders. Let me talk you off the ledge a bit but also be real about how you can screw things up. 17:38 – Paula called in (ok ok, I FORCED her to call in) asking about macronutrient substitutions with some specific examples o...

The Drop Set – Episode 152 0:00 – Friday Focus check – WHAT ARE YOU DOING? 7:28 – Annie from Seattle has a good question about imbalances, specifically like left-to-right imbalances. What’s the best way to address these? 15:00 – A proper welcome! Let’s catch up on some personal stuff, shall we? 23:50 – A quick TV update to close us out today! We’ve been feasting our eyes on some new stuff and I recap it all here

The Drop Set – Episode 151 0:00 – Intro! There’s a new poll up at TheDropSet.com – make sure you go vote! And hey, to set the tone for the day let’s open up with an extended rant about gym music! 11:45 – Dan in MA is asking about “intermingling” different training methodologies, such as working in Crossfit-style workouts along with bodybuilding training 20:35 – Earlier in the week I asked via my Instagram story for everyone to share the tell-tale signs of a gym asshole. The response, as you w...

The Drop Set – Episode 150 0:00 – Time to recap the weekend that was – show results, a very creative weekend, and an update on my wife’s current project 11:35 – A funny story about integrity and the sad state of affairs in the coaching business currently 27:28 – Our good buddy Tasha is asking about DELOADING – fun stuff. Let’s dig in. Also: a 25 week prep? WTF? (warning: this audio is way too loud, sorry!) 37:00 – Paul poses an interesting question – if you could only do 1 exercise per body ...

The Drop Set – Episode 149 0:00 – #149 coming in hot! I make a small pitch to support my client Ben’s Movember efforts to raise awareness for men’s health issues. If you’re interested in donating, here’s the link: https://mobro.co/14102817?mc=5 Also, an update on the podcast logo work! 6:16 – Brian is wondering about lifting shoes – I don’t have a whole lot of personal experience to contribute there, but I share my footwear story (wow does that sound compelling or what?) and we’ll follow-up on...

The Drop Set – Episode 148 0:00 – Welcome to the 452nd installment of our recurring segment, “Darin is a Moron” – have a laugh at my expense, please! 13:20 – Having JUST competed on Saturday, Heather’s questions of course were all about peak week and WHY exactly things are done the way they are. 21:40 – From @dan_tulpa via Instagram – a good question about rest day calories and also carbing up before a big lift 27:55 – Faithful listener Emily asks about PCOS – not sure what that is? Time to ...

The Drop Set – Episode 147 No show notes this week! I’m under the weather but managed to get through a handful of listener questions in (somewhat) rapid fire style right from the opening words this week!

The Drop Set – Episode 146 0:00 – A ‘behind the scenes’ story of the stupid, daily struggles of running a business as a 1 man show! 22:21 – Jenni from MN asks about digestion and water intake and how those two work together (or don’t) and also wants to know about strategies for macro compensation following a bad day. 34:35 – Tom from NYC asks about men’s physique competitors – are they taking the easy way out? 44:04 – An update on the new gym I visited on Friday!

The Drop Set – Episode 145 0:00 – Whoa, back to 2 episodes in a week! Starting off with a gruesome, nightmare-ish tale and a big fat “AVOID” warning in a quick TV report, then we get on with it. 10:34 – One of the biggest and most common problems in bodybuilding is post-show blues and it’s time to tackle it head on and figure out how to avoid them before they ever even start. 32:34 – Kristinn has a good question about the “golden ratio” and how it applies to bodybuilding and aesthetics – let’...

The Drop Set – Episode 144 0:00 – Long breaks are becoming the norm! Back today after taking last week off due to illness, there’s a lot to cover. We’ll start with the critical stuff: a lawn report and logo update! 8:54 – Dan in MA called with questions regarding exercise substitutions in the gym which gave me a chance to address it as a larger and broader topic 18:42 – Rob from CT is wondering about his annual growth phase and how to know if your caloric intake is sufficient or maybe “excess...

The Drop Set – Episode 143 0:00 – Finally back after a longer-than-expected hiatus due to a root canal and some travel. Don’t forget to vote on the NEW logo options for The Drop Set which will be online for voting for just a short term 9:30 – Trish had a good question via email on freelance training in gyms. Problem, or not so much? 15:30 – Sally raises a good question about the old myth (?) of training obliques and making your waist wider. This is a big (BIG) example of “yes, BUT” reasoning ...

The Drop Set – Episode 142 0:00 – Intro and welcome! 2:50 – An unplanned detour into RANT territory regarding crossovers at NPC shows. Executive summary: it’s gotta stop! 8:35 – My Olympia recap from a fairly forgettable (yep, I said it) weekend, and also: how bodybuilding is like the NFL (hint: it’s not a good thing) 20:55 – Morgan from Instagram asks about transitioning into the off-season transition after competing. Do you need a break before that? If so, how long? 33:44 – Blame Roland –...