Episodes
Garrett Fear: Can powerlifting ever grab a mainstream audience?
Jan. 20, 2022
Can the next generation of powerlifters (and powerlifting promoters) finally bring the audiences (and sponsor money) the sport has dreamed of? Garrett Fear thinks so, and he gives us some insight into how it might work. We k…
Is bodybuilding a sport? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode
Jan. 15, 2022
If a sport requires a physical performance that is measured against other competitors, can bodybuilding really be a sport? Or is the actual sport in the preparation? Or is it more like a pageant or even a dog show? We’re tot…
Why does CrossFit get so much hate? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode
Jan. 13, 2022
Full-length Wednesday episodes return next week! As powerlifters, we've observed the impact that CrossFit has had on general fitness, weightlifting, powerlifting, etc. On balance, its influence has been pretty positive, ri…
If you could delete one thing from the fitness world, what would it be? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode
Jan. 7, 2022
Which one thing do you think we’d be better off without? Is it a social media posturing? A training method? A useless supplement? Or is it just the ways that “fitness” is sold to us? Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined …
What’s the best pre-workout? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode
Jan. 5, 2022
While the main show is on a holiday break, please enjoy this episode of our show, Topic Thunder. How do people decide that they need a boost just to get through a workout? Are some too much and some not enough? What can you…
Are New Year’s resolutions a cop out? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode
Dec. 31, 2021
Does it matter when you decide to set goals and make changes in your life? Should you keep your goals private until you’ve made some progress? Does stating your goals out loud more or less likely to keep pursuing them? Is an…
Who’s on your Fitness Mt. Rushmore? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode
Dec. 29, 2021
While the main show is on a holiday break, please enjoy this episode of Topic Thunder. Which four people have contributed the most to the current state of the fitness industry? Or what you enjoy about the industry? Who’s had…
Best lifting shoes? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode
Dec. 24, 2021
When did it become a thing to have specialized shoes for everything? Are flat shoes better than heeled shoes or vice versa? If you’re thinking about putting your Christmas money into lifting shoes…or you’ve got a really spec…
What did we learn from running our first meet?
Dec. 23, 2021
We partnered with Caffeine & Kilos to hold an unsanctioned deadlift meet at our gym. What did we find out that we didn’t know before? We’ve participated in running meets in the past, but this was our first shot at making it …
What was your first definition of “fitness?” | Topic Thunder Mini-episode
Dec. 17, 2021
We throw our minds back to our first ideas of what “fitness” meant when we were first exposed to it as kids. Was it gadgets like the Thighmaster? Was it Richard Simmons? Was it bodybuilding magazines in the supermarket? Oh, …
King Richard | BioPic Review and Reaction
Dec. 16, 2021
We’re taking our first jump into scripted film territory. Will Smith stars as the father, and sometimes coach of, Venus and Serena Williams in this 2021 “definitely-not-a-documentary” biographical film. Does the film do ju…
Should steroids be legal in sports? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode
Dec. 11, 2021
MLB’s Hall of Fame recently voted on a slate of potential inductees from baseball’s “steroid era.” The game benefited from the performance of these players. Specifically, they helped bring enthusiasm and crowd back to the sp…
Top Fitness Trends for 2022?
Dec. 9, 2021
We take our year-end traditional look at what websites and bloggers project to be the top fitness trends for next year. Hybrid workouts, new wearables, outdoor workouts, and bringing (say it with us ) balance. How likely do …
Is movement really the medicine? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode
Dec. 4, 2021
We recently (episode #155) accidentally posted the opening of an episode about chiropractors, stretching, and foam rolling with the body of an episode about fitness gimmick devices. Honest mistake, since they all fit into th…
How do you keep your head together while you’re getting your gainz back? | December Q & A
Dec. 2, 2021
After some period of time away from the gym, how do you deal with the mental impact of being WAY off your PRs? Are meal replacements worth or it or a good idea? What have we learned that we didn’t know while making this show…
Shaming: Fit, Fat, and all the other kinds | Topic Thunder Mini-episode
Nov. 26, 2021
Does shaming actually motivate anyone? Why shame someone else anyway? And they really just shaming themselves? We talk through our thoughts. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean o…
The Commissioner of Power | Documentary Review and Reaction
Nov. 24, 2021
It’s fitting that Rogue Fitness would decide to underwrite an expansive documentary on the life of Terry Todd -- a name known to many in the strength world for decades. As a lifter and coach, he was a formative presence in O…
What do we hate to see in the gym? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)
Nov. 19, 2021
Is curling in the squat rack a huge break of gym etiquette or just a practical solution? Is loading the leg press up with every plate in the gym, five linebackers, and 7 cheerleaders a good move? Does training on an inflated…
Home gyms (revisited) | The North Pull | w/Caffeine & Kilos
Nov. 17, 2021
In a bit of a mashup between a regular 50% Facts and one our shorter Topic Thunder episodes, we sat down with our friends from Caffeine & Kilos to take another swing the advantages and disadvantages of home gyms. We also hit…
What’s a good protein source and why does everyone think it’s peanut butter? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)
Nov. 12, 2021
Everybody loves peanut butter, or do they? Many people love it so much that they think it’s a great protein source, but it’s not relative to its calorie count. We talk about the allure of nut butters, what we like and don’t …
The Tillman Story: Documentary review
Nov. 11, 2021
The Tillman Story: Documentary review Pat Tillman, who walked away from NFL millions to join the Army and was later killed, is a legendary heroic figure. What was the real story of his death by friendly fire? This documentar…
Should you be trying to get dates at the gym? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)
Nov. 6, 2021
We discuss the rights and wrongs of trying to get dates, or even talk to strangers, at the gym. Can you do it without throwing up red flags? Are there times that it’s ok, and times it’s really not ok? Our friend and gym memb…
Two physical therapists who powerlift explain why sometimes moving “wrong” is actually right
Nov. 3, 2021
We’re lucky to have not one, but two physical therapy docs as members of our gym. We sat down with Emily Snee and Dominic Violi to discuss what it really takes to get back in the game, and the stuff that’s probably just a wa…
Foam rollers, mobility, etc.: What interventions actually helped us? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)
Oct. 29, 2021
We discuss which strategies for dealing with the aches and pains of both lifting and life have worked for us. We’ve seen both scams and actual relief. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our…