Health & Fitness

Hypertrophy Past and Present

by Chris Beardsley and Jake Doleschal

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Latest episodes

074 Do indirect sets build muscle? Science vs Evidence

October 19, 2026 · 1 hr 24 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris explore the concept of indirect training volume and whether exercises like bench presses and pulldowns can maximise growth in the triceps and biceps. Chris explains how motor…
073 Part 2: A science-based lower body day with Soren Lemrant

October 12, 2026 · 1 hr 30 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris are joined once again by Soren Lemrant for part two of his unconventional training routine. This time, Soren breaks down his lower-body workout, explaining his unique exercise…
072 Why you’re probably reading hypertrophy studies wrong

October 5, 2026 · 2 hr 5 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris start with a bizarre 1950s workout from Barton Horvath before breaking down how to actually understand hypertrophy research. They discuss what common measurements such as muscle…
071 How to use AI to learn about hypertrophy

September 28, 2026 · 1 hr 32 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris start with a 1947 Steve Reeves workout before accidentally going down an AI rabbit hole. They discuss the difference between “evidence-based” and “science-based” thinking, and…
070 A 67 exercise upper body workout with Soren Lemrant

September 21, 2026 · 1 hr 48 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris welcome their first-ever guest, Soren, the “67-set upper day guy.” Soren takes us through his upper-body workout exercise by exercise, explaining the reasoning behind some of…

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069 Evaluating a new hypertrophy model

September 14, 2026 · 1 hr 27 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with Vern Weaver’s 1961 two-day-per-week routine, providing an interesting example of how effective training can potentially be structured around only two weekly gym…
068 Optimal volumes and frequencies for each muscle

September 7, 2026 · 1 hr 17 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin by reviewing an early female bodybuilding routine: a six-day-per-week program. Despite some problems with the weekly structure, the relatively low number of sets per…
067 Why you’re not progressing (and why it might not be a plateau)

August 31, 2026 · 1 hr 14 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin by reviewing Stuart McRobert’s 1989 hardgainer routine, a minimalist two-day-per-week program designed as an alternative to the increasingly extreme bodybuilding routines…
066 Do you need to feel a muscle for it to grow?

August 24, 2026 · 1 hr 10 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with another Leroy Colbert routine, this time examining an over 100 set silver-era routine. The conversation then explores whether you actually need to “feel” a muscle for…
065 How anabolics changed the fitness industry

August 17, 2026 · 1 hr 37 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with Leroy Colbert’s late-1970s enormous volume training plan. The conversation then explores whether using pre-steroid bodybuilders as a model for natural training is…
064 Is time under tension important for muscle growth?

August 11, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with Reg Park’s 1949 pre-contest routine, which involved training six days per week, twice per day, including the infamous 20-rep breathing squat. This leads into a deep…
063 Are workouts over an hour killing your gains?

August 4, 2026 · 1 hr 28 min

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with a full-body routine from legendary bodybuilding coach Vince Gironda and the unusual reliance on isolation exercises. The conversation then shifts to workout duration…

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About the show

A deep dive into the science of muscle growth. Hosted by Chris Beardsley and Jake Doleschal, this podcast explores hypertrophy training through the lens of pre-steroid era bodybuilding and modern muscle physiology.