Hypertrophy and Strength - Of Course They are Related

Over the last couple years, several authors (PhD types) have asserted that hypertrophy and strength are not related. Yeah we think it is pretty ridiculous too ;) In this episode we talk with Dr. Mike Israetel about this absurd assertion. You don't want to miss this episode!

Our guest for this episode is Dr. Mike Israetel. You can follow Dr. Mike Israetel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

A cofounder of Renaissance Periodization, Dr. Mike Israetel​ holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University. Formerly a professor of Exercise and Sport Science in the School of Public Health at Temple University in Philadelphia, Mike has taught several courses, including Nutrition for Public Health, Advanced Sports Nutrition and Exercise, and Nutrition and Behavior.

Originally from Moscow, Russia, he has worked as a consultant on sports nutrition to the U.S. Olympic Training Site in Johnson City, TN, and has been an invited speaker at numerous scientific and performance/health conferences worldwide, including nutritional seminars at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY. Mike has coached numerous athletes and busy professionals in both diet and weight training, and is himself a competitive bodybuilder and professional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grappler.

If you needed any more evidence that hypertrophy is indeed related to strength, here are a few articles. Or, you could just walk into any health club or weight room on the face of the planet and find an answer.

What is the Impact of Muscle Hypertrophy on Strength and Sport Performance? This little gem will be published soon, co-authored by yours truely! Muscle size and strength: debunking the “completely separate phenomena” suggestion Size vs. Strength: How Important is Muscle Growth For Strength Gains? This is a great review by Greg Nuckols over at www.strongerbyscience.com.

Here are a few articles presenting the case that hypertrophy is disassociated from strength. Regardless of the number of times these authors repeat the same bullshit, well, it's still bullshit.

The problem of muscle hypertrophy:revisited (PDF) Muscle adaptations following 21 consecutive days of strength test familiarization compared with traditional training Correlations Do Not Show Cause and Effect: Not Even for Changes in Muscle Size and Strength Practicing the Test Produces Strength Equivalent to Higher Volume Training Resistance exercise and sports performance: The minority report

What could be more important than hypertrophy and strength? Well, economics. Seriously, learn some! At the end of the episode we asked Mike about a few of his favorite economists; other than Thomas Sowell that is.

Bryan Caplan - His latest book, The Case against Education: Why the Education System Is a Waste of Time and Money, is so damn good! We are going to have to get this guy on the show and talk a little high education one of these days. Bjørn Lomborg - I have not read his stuff in great details but have listened to a number of his interviews. You can check out Bjørn's work at https://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/. Ludwig von Mises - This guy is an economic rockstar. The best way to get acquainted with Mises is to head over to www.mises.org. This organization was founded by Lew Rockwell and is one of, if not the best place to learn economics. Friedrich Hayek - More than just The Road to Serfdom, this fella was prolific. Milton Friedman - To this day some of my favorite economic take-downs are Friedman's appearances on the Phil Donahue show back in the day.

I wish these last three were still walking among us so they could give our politicians and the general public a good lashing! Hypertrophy and economics! Yes please.