Realistic Expectations for Muscle Growth, Sweating During Cardio, and the Key to Back Training

We are back! In episode 373 of the Absolute Strength Podcast, Derek and I answer questions from listeners.

I appreciate everyone reaching out and wondering when the next episode was coming. I’ve had a crazy beginning to 2023, but I’m excited to get back to recording shows.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy.

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Questions on the show:

What are realistic expectations for a natural who has been lifting for five years? Have I already maxed out my progress?
Are there any benefits to sweating more during cardio? I see people wearing pants and sweatshirts while doing cardio at the gym, but it doesn’t make sense to me.
How do you recommend balancing training hard to make progress while avoiding injury and burnout? Every time I get on a roll, something comes up.
What does your back training look like? Every time you post a pullup video, your back looks jacked!
My flexibility is terrible, but I hate stretching. Is there anything else I can do to improve my flexibility?
Importance of rest days. Necessary or nah?
I play basketball every Monday with some of my old college buddies and train powerlifting three days a week full body. I need help planning around basketball without affecting my training. How would you plan around something like that?
What are your thoughts on carb cycling to lose weight while minimizing muscle/strength loss?