75. Are You Wasting Your Workouts? New Research Reveals the Truth About Training Volume
Release Date: 07/29/2025
79. Grit vs. Grace: The Truth About Balance, Burnout, and Showing Up Anyway
The Fitness League
Is it hustle… or is it survival mode? In today’s episode, we unpack what it really means to balance grit and grace in a world that glorifies grind culture. From the chaos of modern schedules to the pressure to do it all, we’re cutting through the noise to talk about how flexibility, consistency, and mindset shifts can help you stay in the game without burning out. We share how our own routines have evolved—especially as parents, business owners, and health professionals—and how you can build sustainable habits that don’t require perfection. Plus, we weigh in on the ancestral health...
info_outline
78. Q+A Day | The #1 Habit Behind Our Consistency, Best Protein Picks, & Quick Workout Hacks
The Fitness League
What’s the one habit that’s helped us stay consistent, energized, and strong while juggling parenting, business, and real life? We’re answering that in today’s Q+A episode — along with two more powerhouse questions you won’t want to miss. We cover: The mindset and recovery habit that’s made the biggest impact on our energy and consistency Exactly what to do when you're short on time — is it better to do one set of everything or knock out full sets of fewer exercises? The truth about protein powders: the pros and cons of plant-based vs whey, which feels better for...
info_outline
77. We Judged 20 Fitness Fads So You Don’t Have To
The Fitness League
From cold plunges to booty bands, 75 Hard to walking pads — the fitness world is flooded with trends claiming to be the next big thing. But are they actually worth your time… or just another fast track to burnout, boredom, or broken knees? In this episode, we put 20 of the most popular fitness fads on trial. No filters — just real talk, bold opinions, and honest takes on what’s actually helpful… and what’s total nonsense. We cover: The real deal with 12-3-30 Whether HIIT every day is helping or hurting you Why some trends are all hype and no science The hidden risks behind...
info_outline
76. Q+A Day | The Truth About Zone 2, Running Shoes, & Fitness Trends
The Fitness League
In this Q&A episode of The Fitness League, we tackle the real questions busy humans are asking—from mastering Zone 2 cardio to managing kindergarten chaos. We break down the truth about heart rate training (and why most people are doing it wrong), how to actually stay in Zone 2 without burning out, and why your footwear might be sabotaging your lifts and runs. We also dig into: ✅ The misunderstood science behind cumulative fatigue ✅ Cardio alternatives for parents and home-gym lifters ✅ Estimating macros for home-raised meat ✅ The pressure of parenting milestones (like...
info_outline
75. Are You Wasting Your Workouts? New Research Reveals the Truth About Training Volume
The Fitness League
More sets = more gains? Not so fast. In this episode of The Fitness League, we break down a brand-new meta-analysis that challenges the age-old belief that more training volume always leads to better results. We’ll walk you through what 67 studies revealed about how many sets per muscle group actually lead to optimal hypertrophy and strength—and where doing more can actually backfire. Whether you’re lifting 3x per week or programming for clients, this is the data-driven breakdown you’ve been waiting for. Learn the sweet spot for per-session volume, the difference between total vs...
info_outline
74. Q+A Day | Pregnancy, Postpartum & Performance | What Most Coaches Won’t Tell You
The Fitness League
In this Q+A episode, we’re breaking down the real answers to the questions so many women are Googling at 2 a.m. (and not getting straight answers on). We’re covering everything from gestational diabetes to HRV, postpartum recovery, and how your menstrual cycle actually affects your workouts. Here’s the truth: you don’t need fear-based advice, shame-loaded commentary, or influencers selling you false promises. You need real science, practical guidance, and coaches who understand your lived experience. We dive into: Why gestational diabetes is hormonal, not your fault — and how...
info_outline
73. Why Fitness Shouldn't Be Your Life (But Should Shape It)
The Fitness League
Feeling like fitness has taken over your life? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down a mindset shift that changed everything for us: fitness isn’t your life—it’s how you live your life. We’ll share: ✔️ Why turning health into a full-time job backfires for most busy adults ✔️ How to stop chasing perfection and start using fitness as a tool to enhance your real life ✔️ What training and nutrition look like for us right now as parents, business owners, and normal humans ✔️ How social media’s “fitspiration” trap convinces you you’re...
info_outline
72. Q+A Day | Fat Loss Training Myths, Pregnancy Protein Needs & Creatine Mixing Tips
The Fitness League
In this practical and myth-busting Q&A episode, we’re answering your most pressing questions about fat loss, pregnancy nutrition, and supplementation. Whether you're just starting your fitness journey, navigating early pregnancy, or dialing in your recovery supplements, this episode has the no-nonsense answers you need. We cover: ✔️ Does lifting light weights for high reps help you lose fat? We break down the truth about training for fat loss and why old-school advice might be slowing your progress ✔️ How to calculate protein intake during pregnancy—especially when dealing with...
info_outline
71. Next-Level Recovery: 5 Cutting-Edge Protocols to Boost Health & Longevity
The Fitness League
Most people are stuck chasing trends that don’t work. In this episode, we break down 5 science-backed health optimization protocols that actually move the needle. From sauna and heat shock proteins to red light therapy, hypoxia training (including blood flow restriction), and breathwork — these are the proven ‘health extracurriculars’ used by top performers to amplify recovery, longevity, and mental clarity. We’ll unpack: How sauna use triggers cellular repair via heat shock proteins. Why red light therapy supercharges your mitochondria. How hypoxia can boost endurance, stem...
info_outline
70. Why You Might Be Aging Faster Than You Think — Even If You're Fit
The Fitness League
You train hard. You eat well. You take care of yourself. So why does it sometimes feel like your body is aging faster, not better? In this episode, we’re breaking down two powerful — and often misunderstood — concepts: biological age and your pace of aging. We’ll explain what they actually mean, the science behind the metrics that influence them (like HRV, resting heart rate, and sleep), and how they reflect what’s really going on inside your body. Whether you track this data with a wearable like WHOOP or not, the protocols we share today will help you slow down the clock and build a...
info_outlineMore sets = more gains? Not so fast. In this episode of The Fitness League, we break down a brand-new meta-analysis that challenges the age-old belief that more training volume always leads to better results.
We’ll walk you through what 67 studies revealed about how many sets per muscle group actually lead to optimal hypertrophy and strength—and where doing more can actually backfire.
Whether you’re lifting 3x per week or programming for clients, this is the data-driven breakdown you’ve been waiting for. Learn the sweet spot for per-session volume, the difference between total vs fractional sets, and how to structure your week for max muscle without burning out.
You’ll walk away with clear answers to:
-
How many sets per muscle actually lead to growth?
-
What’s the best training split for strength and recovery?
-
Are you doing too much in one workout?
-
Why volume cycling may outperform flat set plans
-
How to tell if your training is pushing results—or stalling them
Spoiler: Quality > Quantity. And your nervous system will thank you.
APPLY FOR COACHING:
https://www.lvltncoaching.com/1-1-coaching
SDE Method app:
https://www.lvltncoaching.com/sde-method-app
Project B Waiting List
https://quest.lvltncoaching.com/project-b
Macros Guide
https://www.lvltncoaching.com/free-resources/calculate-your-macros
Join the Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lvltncoaching
FREE TOOLS to start your health and fitness journey:
https://www.lvltncoaching.com/resources/freebies
Alessandra's Instagram:
http://instagram.com/alessandrascutnik
Joelle's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joellesamantha?igsh=ZnVhZjFjczN0OTdn
Josh's Instagram:
http://instagram.com/joshscutnik
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Training Volume
02:47 The Science Behind Volume and Hypertrophy
05:42 Understanding Sets: Direct, Fractional, and Total
08:27 Hypertrophy vs. Strength: The Set Debate
11:08 Finding the Sweet Spot in Training Volume
14:18 Efficiency in Training: Avoiding Junk Volume
17:18 Personal Experiences and Misconceptions in Training
20:26 Understanding Strength vs. Hypertrophy
24:39 The Importance of Intensity in Training
27:50 Quality Over Quantity in Workouts
29:28 Real World Application of Training Volume
33:28 Optimal Training Splits for Muscle Groups
36:23 Training Frequency and Adaptation
37:37 Balancing Strength and Cardio
40:10 The Importance of Recovery
44:16 Volume and Individuality in Training
47:59 Psychological Aspects of Training
49:49 Volume Cycling and Programming Strategies
53:29 Final Takeaways and Project Updates