Lift Your Way to a Leaner You: Debunking the Biggest Weight Loss Myth #602
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Release Date: 11/26/2024
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Do you really need to power clean to be strong and explosive? For most lifters training for longevity, hypertrophy, and health—not competition—the answer might surprise you. In this episode of Beast Over Burden, part of the Rethinking the Big Lifts series, coaches Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson break down the real purpose of the power clean, who it's actually for, and why there are better options for developing explosive strength without the technical headaches or injury risks. If you’re lifting for life—not for sport—this one’s for you. ✅ What You’ll Learn Why the power clean...
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Is the overhead press worth it for most lifters? In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson take a hard look at the most skipped lift in strength training: the overhead press. They break down why it’s often abandoned, what makes it frustrating, and how to rebuild your pressing with smarter technique, variations, and programming for long-term strength and longevity. Whether you’re dealing with shoulder pain, struggling with progress, or questioning if it’s even worth your time, this episode gives you a clear, no-nonsense answer. ✅ What You’ll Learn Why the...
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Does the deadlift still matter in your training? If you’ve ever felt beat up by barbell pulls or unsure how to keep deadlifting as your goals and body evolve, this episode is for you. Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson unpack how the deadlift should serve you—not wear you down. From trap bars to kettlebells, from smart programming to pain management, this is a no-nonsense guide to making the deadlift work for life—not just your PR sheet. 🎧 This is part of the Rethinking the Big Lifts series—where we challenge conventional thinking to build training that’s smarter, sustainable, and...
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Is the bench press overrated—or just misunderstood? In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson challenge the default status of the bench press in most lifters’ routines. Whether you’re trying to get stronger, avoid pain, or train for the long haul, this conversation will help you rethink the bench’s role in your program—and whether it’s serving your goals. This is part of the Rethinking the Big Lifts series, where we explore how foundational barbell movements evolve over time and how to train smarter, not just harder. ✅ What You’ll Learn Why the bench...
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What is a squat—really? In this first episode of our new Big Lifts series, strength coaches Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson ask the question many lifters overlook: what are you actually trying to get out of your squat? Whether you’re chasing PRs, trying to age with strength, or just want to move better, this conversation breaks down why your squat should evolve with your goals, your body, and your season of life. Let go of the dogma—and train for you. 💡 What You’ll Learn Why “the squat” isn’t one fixed movement How to define a squat based on your goals What matters more...
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Are you training nearly every day—strength, cardio, HIIT—and still not seeing the results you want? In this episode of Beast Over Burden, strength coaches Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson tackle a common question: Are you progressing, or just working hard? They break down the sneaky signs of overtraining, the truth about cardio intensity, and how recovery—not more effort—is often the bottleneck to strength, muscle, and long-term health. 💡 Key Takeaways Training hard ≠ guaranteed progress Doing too much can stall strength and muscle gains Most “HIIT” is just moderate...
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Still searching for the perfect program to fix your fitness? In this episode of Beast Over Burden, strength coaches Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson expose why the “one right plan” mindset is keeping lifters stuck. They break down how perfectionism, rigid programming, and unrealistic expectations sabotage long-term progress—and share smarter, more sustainable ways to train for strength, health, and life. Whether you’re burned out, frustrated, or just tired of starting over, this episode will help you trade pressure for progress. 💡 Key Takeaways (Bullets) The perfect program is a...
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This episode tackles overcoming the 3 big training pitfalls that silently sabotage lifters: mindless snacking, all-or-nothing thinking, and poor boundaries. Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson break it down with practical tips, real-life stories, and strategies that actually work for strength, longevity, and real-life training. 💡 Key Takeaways (Bullets for Engagement & Search) Identify and overcome the 3 big training pitfalls Why snacks you don’t count still count How “perfect or nothing” leads to burnout Real-world boundary-setting tips for parties, travel, and stress ...
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Struggling to stay consistent with strength training? Feel like you're always starting over? In this episode, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson deliver a realistic guide to long-term strength—not hype, not hacks—just what actually works for lasting progress, muscle, and freedom. 💡 Key Takeaways Physical freedom = the ability to adapt and train for life—not just 12-week spurts You don’t need 6 weeks—you need 18–24 months of structured training Muscle = your emergency fund for long-term independence A coach can accelerate your growth and cut years off your learning curve ...
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Life’s messy—but your strength doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson dive into how to stay strong when life throws curveballs. From missed workouts to surprise illnesses, chaotic travel, or just busy seasons, they reveal how to adapt your training, stay consistent, and keep building strength—without falling into the all-or-nothing trap. 💥 Topics Covered: Why perfection kills progress (and what mindset to replace it with) Programming hacks for crazy schedules, travel, and low-energy days Real-life coaching stories showing how to...
info_outlineLift your way to a leaner you. Strength training is your secret weapon to leanness, despite the lingering weight loss myth that you should simply diet and do cardio.
Debunking the Weight Loss Myth of Cardio & Caloric Restriction
You go to the doctor and the doctor tells you that you need to lose a certain amount of weight for your health. He questions why you lift and recommends you perform regular cardiovascular exercise.
What do you do? Lift your way to a leaner you (while ensuring you are in a slight caloric deficit).
You acknowledge that you could be a bit leaner, but you've been lifting for awhile. You look better with more muscle on your frame and you enjoy strength training.
More muscle increases your daily caloric expenditure, as it gives some of your incoming calories an additional place to go beyond fat gain.
Lift Your Way to a Leaner You: Slow & Steady Wins the Race
Slow and steady weight loss, with consistent lifting and a healthy, high protein diet help minimize muscle loss during your weight loss. Ultimately, you want to be leaner, you do not really care about the number on a scale.
The doctor in the above scenario is a bit hyperfocused on BMI. Metrics, however, are supposed to measure progress. In this case, we are concerned about health and longevity.
You want more muscle but you also want to be leaner. Abandoning strength training, reducing calories, and adding cardio is likely not going to produce the body you envision. It is certainly not going to help produce a muscular body.
Lift Your Way to a Leaner You: Cardio for Cardiovascular Health
Conditioning or "cardio" is not really the best way to help increase the calories out part of the calorie equation. A better method would be to increase your daily low-level activity, such as increasing your steps.
Regardless, conditioning is really about improving your performance for certain tasks and improving cardiovascular health.
Lift your way to a leaner you.
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