I frequently get asked what blogs I read or what YouTube channels I watch but quite frankly, I hardly read anyones blog or watch any YouTube. There is too much bullshit on the internet. Everyone thinks they provide “superior content” but the fact of the matter is there are only a select few people in the industry that are worth your time. If I am going to spend time reading something it’s going to be research studies, books, or the Buffalo Bills message board…serious.
That’s not to say there are not some quality blogs out there – there are. I just don’t have time to dig through the garbage to find the diamonds.
What I do, however, is listen to Podcasts. For me it is all about time efficiency. I can listen to a podcast while I am in my car on the way to the gym, doing chores around the house or packing and shipping shirt orders. Multi tasking at its finest.
I broke down the fitness podcasts I like into four categories – Training, Science, Business and Motivation. Some of the podcasts could carry over into another category but I tried to list them under the category I find most beneficial.
Here we go!
Training
Barbell Shrugged – Probably my favorite all around podcast. As you will find with a lot of the podcasts on the list, you could categorize Barbell Shrugged into multiple categories. Science and/or Business (although they have another Podcast for that – Barbell Business) each would be applicable to describe the content on the podcast. However, I put them under training because I feel that is where Barbell Shrugged has had the biggest influence on me.
I came across Barbell Shrugged at about the same time I came across CrossFit. I credit listening to this podcast in sparking my interest to give CrossFit a try. The more I learned about how elite CrossFit athletes really trained the more intrigued I got.
Although they talk about overall Strength and Conditioning, there is definitely a CrossFit emphasis. The reason is because the guys on the show, specifically Mike Bledsoe and Doug Larson, own a CrossFit gym in Memphis, TN.
If you are not a fan of CrossFit don’t worry, they talk about a lot more than that. Barbell Shrugged has a wide range of guests, from all corners of the fitness industry. I highly recommend checking this podcast out!
Podcast: http://www.barbellshrugged.com/
Check out the interview I did with the host of Barbell Shrugged, Mike Bledsoe.
Mark Bell’s PowerCast – Probably the most entertaining of all the podcasts on the list. Mark Bell along with Silent Mike and Jim McD have an entertaining show that provides quality information as well.
There is definitely a powerlifting/strength bias to this podcast. Most of the guests are strength athletes and Mark being a former powerlifter draws from that base of knowledge. With that being said, there is something for everyone here. Pretty much all aspects of the strength game are covered at some point.
One of the better aspects of this show is the “real world” application; practical stuff you can implement in your training. If you want information on how to get “Jacked and Tan” as they say, this is the podcast you NEED to listen to.
The biggest thing I got from the PowerCast is – sometimes its best to take a step back from always worrying about what is “optimal” and just get work done. At the end of the day consistency and hard work are most important in reaching your goals.
Plus, like Barbell Shrugged there are some great guests on the PowerCast – Layne Norton, Alberto Nunez, Jim Wendler, Dan Green, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kelly Starrett, and more.
Like I said, something for everyone.
Podcast: http://supertraining.tv/category/podcasts/
Science
Physique Science Radio – This is Layne Norton and Sohee Lee’s new podcast. As you would expect by the name, this is obviously a science based show. Physique Science Radio covers industry topics in an “overview” type fashion. Layne covers each topic providing plenty of research to back up each response.
The other benefit to this podcast is you get a lot of practical information to go along with the research based info. Both Layne and Sohee are coaches so you get to hear their field experience with each topic as well.
This is a great podcast if you want to know a lot of information on a specific subject. For example, the last podcast they did was with Dr. Jeremy Loenneke on blood flow restriction training. The entire podcast went over research pertaining to BFR and practical examples on how to implement it into your own training. [See interview Hunt Fitness did with Dr. Loenneke in 2012]
If you are into an “evidence based” fitness approach this is a great podcast to check out!
Podcast: http://www.biolayne.com/category/podcasts/
Muscle Science and Application – John Bosse has a great podcast. This podcast provides more overall content than every other on the list. Most podcasts only do about one show a week. Muscle Science and Application uploads multiple times per week. Also this show is not quite as long as the others so if you have a limited time (like me) this one fits the bill.
With his podcast John breaks down a lot of research in completion. For example, an entire show may be dedicated to going over a particular study. Possibly the best part is he provides an “application” aspect to each study he breaks down. You leave each show with the science and how to use it to make gainzz.
I get asked a lot about how to stay up with the current research. A lot of people have a hard time finding studies and then understanding them. If this sounds like you, definitely check this podcast out. Let John do the work (finding and breaking down the studies) for you so all you have to do is tune in and learn.
Podcast: http://appliedmusclescience.com/
Business
Fitpreneurs Podcast – If you are a personal trainer, or run any type of fitness business for that matter, you need to be listening to this podcast. Aj Roberts and Simon Lovell provide a ton of useful information on how to improve your business and help more people. There are a lot of business products available but not many are directly applicable to fitness entrepreneurs.
This podcast provides you with actions you can start taking with your business immediately to see improvement.
Too many fitness professionals focus too much on learning fitness/nutrition and not enough time on business. In my opinion, if you run a fitness business you need at least a one to one ratio of fitness to business education. So for every fitness (training, nutrition, etc) book, seminar, podcast, article match it up with something for business.
If you are not in the fitness industry this podcast might provide you with the motivation/inspiration to get into it! If you are reading this you must at least enjoy fitness to some extent, maybe you just need some information on how to get started.
Check out the interview I did with AJ Roberts earlier this year: https://www.kylehuntfitness.com/westside-barbell-powerlifter-turned-bodybuilder-aj-roberts/
Podcast: http://thefitpreneurs.com/
The Jay Ferruggia Show – This show is not really a “business” podcast per se. The Jay Ferruggia Show is a mix of everything – lifestyle, training, productivity, and more.
I went with the business category because the lessons Jay provides on productivity are what originally drew me into this podcast. With all the stuff I have going on, sometimes I need to be reminded how to block out distractions and be more productive.
Other than the productivity stuff there are some really cool guests on this show as well. My favorite episode so far was when Jay had my good friend Smitty from Diesel Strength on.
Podcast: http://jasonferruggia.com/podcasts/
Motivation
StrongCast – Zach Even-Esh is the man. If you are having one of those days where you need a bit of motivation, this is the podcast to listen to. I love Zach’s passion and intensity. Whenever I am feeling out of it I put on the StrongCast and instantly want to go crush some weights.
Aside from the motivation Zach also provides a lot of useful training and business tips as well. This is a great all around podcast.
On a side note I am currently in the middle of Zach’s new book “The Encyclopedia of Underground Strength and Conditioning” and love it so far!
Podcast: StrongCast Podcast
Barbell Buddha / Get Change- This is the most unique podcast on the list. I am not even sure how to describe it. I think everyone will get something a little different out of this one.
The host, Chris Moore, is one of the guys from Barbell Shrugged. Over the past year he has decided to quit his corporate job and pursue this fitness gig full time.
When I listen to this podcast it improves my mindset on everything. But like I said, you may get something completely different out of it. Either way it’s worth a listen!
Podcast: http://daily.barbellshrugged.com/category/get-change/
Bonus Podcast – The Absolute Strength Podcast!
This is the official Hunt Fitness podcast that I put out on a weekly basis.
Click on the picture below to listen to the show!
Listen on itunes
