Here's how you can efficiently and sustainably shed 4kg/3cm in 6 weeks - nutrition, training and habits wise. This week's topics: 1. Getting rid of the calorie confusion 16:18 2. Why protein is extremely important 26:10 3. The balance of training & cardio 29:19 4. How to master your environment 32:20 5. Check, adjust, repeat, succeed 37:07 Pre-regi…

Frustrated with lack of results, even though you train 5+ days a week? This episode is for you. This week's topics: 1. UStrong Charity Lift-off was a hit 6:54 2. How many sessions is too many? 13:06 3. Focus on these things instead 21:25 4. Your frequency should suit your goal 26:16 5. How to make the most of your session 36:54 BARBELLS15 for a dis…

Jase recaps his client Matt's IFBB season, and the boys tackle Q&A covering training volume & performance during deficits. This week's topics: 1. IFBB athlete Matt's comp season recap 8:45 2. Planning for after your first season 18:52 3. Why Ben can't train for a month 22:15 4. Rapid Q&A: Weight increase, junk volume, deficit vs. performance, deloa…

Whether you're new to the gym, intermediate or advanced, here's what we've seen as lifters evolve and develop as they smash one goal after another. This week's topics: 1. Training mistakes beginners make 7:41 2. The phase where lifters are made 17:13 3. Maturity as a long-term lifter 24:56 4. What we'd tell our younger selves 34:25 BARBELLS15 for a…

How many steps should you aim for? What are the benefits outside of fat loss? This week's topics: 1. Why do we prescribe steps? 15:25 2. The best daily steps target? 24:41 3. Unseen (but felt) benefits 31:55 4. Utilising steps to drive fat loss 33:37 5. The best way to track steps? 39:40 BARBELLS15 for a discount:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Fodbods⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ …

Sick of not putting on quality muscle and having the same physique one year later? This week's topics: 1. Old school vs. new school lifters 9:56 2. More range of motion vs. more load? 19:25 3. Things that don't indicate progress 23:26 4. Trade-off of lifting your absolute max 31:07 BARBELLS15 for a discount:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Fodbods⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Strong &…

What are the risks, considerations and benefits to a rapid fat loss phase? This week's topics: 1. Is extreme, fast fat loss inherently bad? 6:43 2. Your motivation & emotional triggers 12:04 3. What are the caveats / pitfalls? 19:15 4. Who it suits & the best timeline 24:19 5. How do you successfully get out? 32:14 BARBELLS15 for a discount:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

Jess and Mimi describe the immense journeys they've gone through, from first stepping foot in a gym to now - and what they've learned. This week's topics: 1. What you learn about yourself in a deficit 9:01 2. We've done deficits in all the wrong ways 16:42 3. Misconceptions we had about training 30:36 4. The better ways to approach a deficit 41:05 …

Performance coach Kirsty breaks down the exact questions and reasons as to what's holding you back mentally - and how to break through. Kirsty: https://instagram.com/thethriveandgrowproject This week's topics: 1. Set up your social circles & environment 11:45 2. What does confidence mean for you? 23:34 3. Your self-awareness, identity & fears 30:12…

Is there a way to mitigate the fluffiness of a build phase and err on the leaner side all year, while still making progress? This week's topics: 1. Dealing with the cost of a build phase 20:07 2. Is it better to maintain some leanness? 33:01 3. A lifestyle & type of diet that suits you 45:20 4. The gap between 90% & 100% adherence 48:52 5. The sign…

Frustrated with your progress in the gym? Here's the solution - hint, it's not a different program. This week's topics: 1. Program-hopping is robbing your gains 35:21 2. How long should a program be? 49:50 3. The mentality to stick with a routine 53:10 4. Progress without logging your weights? 56:00 5. You get to choose your "hard" 1:01:45 BARBELLS…

Coach Mimi joined us to discuss how to get the most out of your training and nutrition, in AND out of the gym. This week's topics: 1. Why we recommend everyone set a goal 6:23 2. Growth + ownership = unstoppable 17:51 3. Bulletproof your nutrition plan 26:05 4. Biggest mistakes we see with training 44:03 5. What you miss out on without recovery 53:…

Vanessa was tired of the bloating, irritation and digestive issues - here's how she created gut-friendly protein bars, with Fodbods. This week's topics: 1. Balancing ingredients, macros & flavours 7:45 2. The game of chasing protein vs. "health" 24:20 3. How to fuel your training & your day 29:54 4. Pregnancy food & training habits 33:55 BARBELLS15…

How do you handle the caloric increase, disappearing definition, and habit changes? This week's topics: 1. Handling post-diet appetite 15:59 2. Cardio & activity in a surplus phase 42:31 3. Managing the mind games in a bulk 45:43 4. Understanding there's another level 57:04 5. The value of someone in your corner 1:04:08 Strong & Lean in 16:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ …

Make sure all that effort isn't wasted, and you're heading in the right direction. This week's topics: 1. Feeling uncomfortable in the gym? 15:02 2. The result of not tracking data 28:29 3. Track both objective & subjective 35:54 4. You can track nutrition & enjoy life 51:56 5. Sleep & subjective markers 57:29 Strong & Lean in 16:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Claim your …

Don't make these training mistakes if you want to maximise your time spent in the gym! This week's topics: 1. Does a good gym facilitate more gains? 23:24 2. The challenge of filling out a weight class 40:19 3. The biggest misconception about fat loss 51:50 4. Exercise selection for muscle growth 56:56 5. Is "pump" training effective? 1:06:43 Stron…

Not sure if your nutrition is on the right path? No clue where to start, with the endless info out there? This is for you. This week's topics: 1. Lifters are still under-rating strength 13:45 2. Why we're still confused with nutrition 42:33 3. Diet labels are more harmful than good 55:22 4. Your principles need to be sustainable 1:03:21 5. What an …

3 fixes to the most common issues we see with lifters in the gym, and how to turn identity and inspiration into a positive. This week's topics: 1. Making gains with autoimmune flare-ups 14:41 2. Identity & inspiration can be good things 32:20 3. How to know if you train hard enough 47:28 4. Maximise chance of success with a plan 1:01:21 5. How much…

The best lifters continually set goals - here's why, and how. This week's topics: 1. Benefits & pitfalls of motivation 10:25 2. Behaving differently to those around you 22:47 3. The best goals don't have to be huge 30:54 4. What not having a goal costs you 40:30 Strong & Lean in 16: ⁠⁠Claim your spot⁠⁠ Join our community and hang out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

Jason has created his next block of training and nutrition - here's a deep dive into his thought process. This week's topics: 1. Considering volume vs. effort 31:38 2. What training split suits your week? 38:35 3. Prioritising certain muscle groups 45:30 4. Deciding cut vs. build calories 51:23 Strong & Lean in 16: ⁠Claim your spot⁠ Join our commun…

Here's our definitive checklist to guaranteeing results - traits, habits and knowledge. This week's topics: 1. The importance of a tailored program 18:12 2. You need to train well & train hard 28:07 3. Creating your own nutrition plan 33:59 4. Which metrics should you track? 43:02 5. Setting your week up for success 49:37 Strong & Lean in 16: Claim…

Freshly diced, tanned and photographed, the boys reflect on what they learned about their capabilities during this cut. This week's topics: 1. What has this prep taught us? 11:05 2. Capable of more than you think 38:12 3. Our favourite moments of the year 48:49 4. What we want more of in 2025 54:50 5. The single best piece of advice 1:02:48 Fat Los…

Jess and the boys discuss what their best athletes do on repeat, as well as what should be avoided in trying to become your best. This week's topics: 1. Training around injury / surgery 25:43 2. What lack of sleep does to you 48:33 3. The factors that dictate success 54:25 4. What lifters need to do more of 1:01:07 5. What they don't tell you about…

From crossfit to powerlifting, to now physique training, here is the mental journey coach Emily has experienced. Emily: Instagram This week's topics: 1. Performance goals vs. Body image 21:13 2. How much to let lifting technique "go"? 24:46 3. The mentality & identity of powerlifting 33:27 4. Learning how your lifter/coach works 51:08 5. Don't unde…

As your physique and strength progress, how should you ramp up your training (and results)? This week's topics: 1. Measurements vs. progress photos 8:13 2. We got sent some "healthy" bars 14:19 3. Best form of cardio for fat loss 44:08 4. How often to change your program 53:43 5. The most fun program 1:08:12 Use code BARBELLS15 for a discount (Not …

What should you prioritise, for bang-for-buck progress in your training session? This week's topics: 1. Does RIR or no. of reps matter more? 17:33 2. How important is soreness? 43:10 3. Should you cut or build first? 53:32 4. The ultimate lifter's proportions 1:07:34 5. Are PEDs too commonly discussed? 1:13:45 Fat Loss Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ac…

Both reaching the deep end of their diets, the boys talk lessons learned and mentality developed. This week's topics: 1. The pointy end of a deficit phase 4:26 2. Resilient enough to be adaptable 28:13 3. Staying productive with low energy 41:25 4. Does the training program change? 47:51 5. Up calories by how much post-diet? 1:03:40 Fat Loss Cheat …

What does it take? Who do you become? And what does it make you realise? Matt: ⁠Instagram⁠ This week's topics: 1. From basketballer to bodybuilder 18:06 2. The best training split I've found 34:01 3. What made the Pro card happen? 47:28 4. It's who bodybuilding makes you 1:02:13 5. The wrong way to approach things 1:16:43 Fat Loss Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠…

Is the gym a place to ask someone out? How should you compliment them? This week's topics: 1. Everyone smashed the photoshoot 9:06 2. Working through body image issues 22:18 3. How to not compliment in the gym 45:13 4. Approaching someone in the gym? 58:35 5. The Instagram stories game 1:07:52 Fat Loss Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Access here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

Having just gone through contest prep / dieting phases, athletes Jackson and Kayla talk lessons, difficulties, and future plans. Jackson: Instagram Kayla: Instagram This week's topics: 1. What's the hardest part of a prep? 3:13 2. Emotion & community in bodybuilding 15:08 3. Fears & nerves before & on game day 23:43 4. Transitioning nutrition in & …

Throughout this season, the medals have piled up - but this is another level. This week's topics: 1. Photoshoot cut is going well 12:11 2. Team STC powerlifting szn so far 22:30 3. The culmination of years of work 38:44 4. Sometimes it's not about winning 56:42 Fat Loss Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Access here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our community and hang out:…

Thinking of getting on the stage/platform? This episode is for you. This week's topics: 1. The journey to nationals 15:02 2. From your 1st comp to the next 42:28 3. Pre-requisites before competing 49:07 4. What no one tells you about prep 1:05:14 Fat Loss Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Access here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our community and hang out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

Gym dos & don'ts, exercises to AVOID, mistakes people make with deloading... and more. This week's topics: 1. Different brand socks & shoes? 6:03 2. Should you take pre-workout? 22:17 3. Jason's new favourite gym bag 33:11 4. Gym common courtesy / etiquette 42:12 5. When DON'T you need a deload? 1:06:25 Fat Loss Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Access here⁠⁠⁠…

Macros, programs, we've heard it all before. But how do you actually put it into action? This week's topics: 1. Dealing with sub-optimal comp days 12:01 2. Your fat loss cheat sheet 39:15 3. Don't underestimate sleep & stress 45:24 4. The last % - Customising your plan 55:58 5. Why people can't stick to diets 1:02:25 Fat Loss Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A…

Jason recaps his physique team's current season, and the boys discuss prep goals, expectations and enjoyment. This week's topics: 1. Getting to the pointy end of a diet 16:34 2. The fun of a first physique comp 28:15 3. Expectations - showing up vs. winning 42:35 4. Getting the itch to compete? 53:55 5. STC powerlifting team update 1:00:49 Winter G…

Training, food, steps, lifestyle... Don't waste time between your first comp and your next comp. This week's topics: 1. Gym etiquette & gym fashion 10:53 2. Experience will build belief 21:42 3. How young for kids to be "online"? 40:58 4. Why the fitness industry is confusing 51:45 5. How many steps is "healthy"? 58:28 Winter Gain Guide: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Acce…

This week on Banter and Banter... shred talk, warm-up talk, and gym social etiquette talk. This week's topics: 1. We're buying our feelings again 8:28 2. Why we currently don't have coaches 29:33 3. There's always more to shred 36:14 4. What's the best warm-up approach? 51:31 5. How social are you at the gym? 1:00:22 Winter Gain Guide: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Access …

Are high reps cardio? How much should you cut for a comp? How often should you compete?This week's topics: 1. Body image with bodyweight changes 6:00 2. Are high-rep lifts/sets cardio? 28:20 3. It's more than the actual exercise 39:08 4. When is the weight sacrifice worth it? 49:10 5. How often should you compete? 55:47 Winter Gain Guide: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Acces…

These are the aspects you need to focus on, to push through that next plateau.This week's topics: 1. Ben's newly acquired wound 10:35 2. Difficulty sleeping when dieting? 22:01 3. Why you hate certain exercises 30:11 4. What I've learned by journaling 48:35 5. Mentally locking in for training 53:30 Winter Gain Guide: ⁠⁠⁠Access here⁠⁠⁠ Join our comm…

What do new lifters get wrong? Hell, what do experienced lifters still get wrong?This week's topics: 1. What's the point of ice baths? 33:01 2. Is your training too specific? 42:03 3. More activity vs. Less calories 54:35 4. Bench arch for hypertrophy? 1:06:01 5. Advice for new/young lifters 1:10:26 Winter Gain Guide: ⁠Access here⁠ Join our communi…

Things we regret and would do differently when dieting, recommended types of food and supps, and more.This week's topics: 1. Food review - needs more salt 1:32 2. What makes a great client? 28:11 3. Why your "why" should matter 40:55 4. What would we do differently? 51:03 5. Recommend "diet" food & supps 1:03:28 Winter Gain Guide: Access here Join …

Can you have too much volume? What is length tension? What's the optimal way to poop?This week's topics: 1. The art of gym selfies & posing 17:48 2. Accepting 80% adherence vs. 100% 25:21 3. This is the optimal way to poop 34:59 4. Can you do too much volume? 39:15 5. Why is length tension important? 1:04:02 Join our community and hang out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

Cut vs. bulk programs? The best training split? Refeeds - when & how? And more.This week's topics: 1. Fake Jordans, F1 drama & loud noises 6:16 2. How our current diets are going... 21:57 3. When & how to implement a refeed 42:43 4. Cut vs. build - Different programs? 55:12 5. What's the best training split? 1:10:25 Join our community and hang out:…

Welcoming Jase back from 3 weeks in the Philippines and Indonesia, the boys catch up on training, world news, and local goings-on.This week's topics: 1. Is not training on holiday bad? 11:52 2. 2nd-screen shows & good gym gear 31:30 3. The rollercoaster of hire cars 41:22 4. Bali is the best place in the world 47:48 5. No reception but lots of kang…

Ben and Jess talk about why they and their clients train, as well as educate us on Aussie cultural fashion.This week's topics: 1. Trackies, socks & 'Black & Blue' Rick 2:45 2. Capitalising on internet fame 31:04 3. Training like a bodybuilder is hard 41:12 4. Why do you personally train? 53:15 5. Why you shouldn't hire a coach 59:55 Join our commun…

Adrian from Grounded Strength discusses with Ben all things bodybuilding mentality, powerlifting mentality, and applications to help you in everyday life. Adrian: Instagram This week's topics: 1. How we text / speak has changed 13:01 2. We still get imposter syndrome 23:50 3. The obsession with video games 31:06 4. Applying sporting mindset to real…

Jess makes a huge call, and we discuss the running craze and training while pregnant. This week's topics: 1. Japan & Korea adventures 9:58 2. Pulling the pin on nationals 19:59 3. It's always better with a crew 43:18 4. Why everybody's running 51:24 5. Training around pregnancy 1:05:42 Join our community and hang out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cl…

The boys tackle rapid-fire Q&A, covering pizza critiques, gym wardrobes, and training plateaus. This week's topics: 1. Pizza, Liquid IV & Milo gains 17:02 2. What's your gym wardrobe? 33:53 3. Expectations from your coach 44:12 4. Have you plateaued in the gym? 53:18 5. Dealing with toxic jobs 1:05:20 Join our community and hang out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

Jase recaps his competitors' final peak weeks - mistakes, wins, and thoughts for beginners potentially interested. This week's topics: 1. The boys' partying days are over... 2:01 2. Comp season can get hectic 23:40 3. What it takes to improve each season 38:21 4. First time bikini prep considerations 46:03 5. How to measure training "success" 1:05:…

Jess and the boys chat comp prep, running vs. your gains, and superior eating utensils. This week's topics: 1. What you can / can't control on comp day 11:12 2. More muscle = higher metabolism? 43:50 3. Does running interfere with gains? 53:41 4. Chicken & rice - Spoon or fork? 1:06:00 5. Optimal time for a PL vs. BB prep 1:11:49 Join our community…