Ep. 481: Paul McIlroy Talks Even MORE Secrets of Perpetual Strength!
Release Date: 04/14/2025
Ep. 502: How to Train - and GAIN - When Your Job's a Pain
The Hammer Cast
Got a labor-intensive job? Good news: you can still train and make gains. You just have to approach your training correctly. This episode will tell you how. On that note: If you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. As the name indicates, it’s just 9 minutes long, and it’s designed to be done WITH your current workouts – NOT instead...
info_outline
Ep. 501: The Kettlebell World Bids Farewell to a Legend
The Hammer Cast
Today we bid farewell to a legend in the kettlebell world, without whom the entire movement almost certainly would've petered out and faded into fitness obscurity more than two decades ago. I give my thoughts about it on this episode. On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. As the name indicates, it’s just 9 minutes long, and...
info_outline
Ep. 500: Why I’m not the least bit worried about ‘AI coaching’
The Hammer Cast
In this episode I dish on: [0:02:00] Seppuku & Why Machines Can’t Make Poetry [0:03:00] Is AI Going to Replace Coaches? [0:04:30] Why Programming Is More Than an Algorithm [0:05:40] Real-World Coaching Example [0:06:20] Psychology & the “Rationalizing Animal” [0:07:10] AI Coaching Fails: Pistol Squats & Kettlebell Swings [0:08:30] Content “Inbreeding” & Soulless AI Output [0:09:40] Human Connection & Why Clients Choose Coaches [0:11:00] Being “AI-Proof” as a Trainer [0:12:00] Strength Legends & Experience vs. Science [0:14:00] My...
info_outline
499: Old Time Strongman Secrets for Eye-Popping Strength (at ANY age!)
The Hammer Cast
Wanna get freakishly strong like the Cirque du Soleil acrobats or old time strongmen? I dish on how to do exactly that in this episode. If you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. As the name indicates, it’s just 9 minutes long, and it’s designed to be done WITH your current workouts – NOT instead of them. Even cooler: Many find that it actually...
info_outline
Ep. 498: Conquer Advanced Calisthenics Skills by Doing THIS 1st
The Hammer Cast
"Eliminate frustration and speed ahead." Who doesn't want this? When it comes to strength training - and calisthenics in particular - many ambitious and well-meaning enthusiasts jump right into a laundry list of progressions... And fall flat on their tushes. If you want to feel like you're positively speeding through the various and sundry progressions that lay at the heart of each and every advanced calisthenics movement, you must first dominate their prerequisite movements. This is the sure-fire path to things such as: One-arm pushups Pistol squats Nigh on effortless...
info_outline
Ep. 497: Conquer Kettlebell Ballistics by NOT Doing This 1 Common Thing
The Hammer Cast
If you want to radically speed up your mastery of the ballistic kettlebell lifts - no matter WHERE you are in your training journey - you need to throw conventional training tactics out the window and use a sleek set of little-known drills to amp up your mind-muscle connection almost instantly. My best-selling book, Tamers of the Lost Arc, can show you how. Check it out here => https://a.co/d/a1cNsCl On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny,...
info_outline
Ep. 496: Get Lean the (Almost) Easy Way
The Hammer Cast
If you're looking to trim up, get lean, and drop some unsightly flab, here are some first steps that will help you toward that end. On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. As the name indicates, it’s just 9 minutes long, and it’s designed to be done WITH your current workouts – NOT instead of them. Even cooler: Many find that it...
info_outline
Ep. 495: Will Stretching Before Training KILL Your Gains?!
The Hammer Cast
There seem to be two sides of the proverbial coin in the fitness world when it comes to stretching: Side 1: it is mission critical that you do it. Side 2: you damn well better not even think about it - especially before you lift! The truth - as you might imagine - is somewhere in the middle. I dish on this in this mighty fine episode. Tune in, chill out, and enjoy. On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your...
info_outline
Ep. 494: Why I Choose Original Strength
The Hammer Cast
There are a great many systems out there promising to deliver movement quality - and probably a lot of them can make good on that promise. Even still, this is why I choose Original Strength... On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. As the name indicates, it’s just 9 minutes long, and it’s designed to be done WITH your current...
info_outline
Ep. 493: Kettlebell Superstar Zack Henderson Talks About 'Lift-A-Palooza'
The Hammer Cast
Get your own free copy of my 9 Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge here => I'm joined on this episode once again by none other than kettlebell superstar Zack Henderson to talk about his annual Lift-A-Palooza event held each year during the last week of January. Here's a list of all the fun stuff we talked about (according to the super genius AI cyborg type thing that I politely but firmly demanded to put together a list of topics for you to be able to pick and choose from): [0:00:02] Introduction to the episode and hosts. [0:00:23] Discussion about nicknames and...
info_outlineLightning has struck ONCE MORE, and the Hebrew Hammer and Paul “Big Mac” McIlroy are back under one proverbial roof once more to talk about some more of Paul’s most hard-hitting, no BS insights into how to keep the Gain Train constantly rolling into the station year after year, decade after decade.
If you haven’t already, I will encourage you once again to get:
- Paul's new book "Perpetual Strength" (which you can - and should - check out here: https://www.dragondoor.com/products/perpetual-strength-paperback/)
- My 9-minute kettlebell and bodyweight challenge (which you can get for FREE at http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com)
Now let’s take a look at what all we cover in the episode:
- Introduction and Background (0:00-0:05)
- Aleks Salkin introduces Paul McIlroy - Recap of previous podcast episode - Recommendation of "Perpetual Strength" book
- Relative vs. Absolute Strength (0:09-0:20)
- Definitions and examples from weightlifting - Comparison of strength across different body weights - Powerlifting and Olympic lifting case studies
- Volume and Strength Training Principles (0:20-0:35)
- Importance of sub-maximal training - Motor learning and skill development - Building strength through repeated practice
- Comfort Zone Expansion Method (0:35-0:50)
- Programming principles - Expanding strength across different rep ranges - Strategies for long-term strength development
- Assistance Work in Training Programs (0:47-1:02)
- Incorporating supplementary exercises - Examples from professional powerlifters - Balancing main lifts and assistance work
- Isometric Training Techniques (1:13-1:38)
- Types of isometrics - Measuring and programming isometric exercises - Applications in strength training
- Pop Culture Interlude (1:35-1:45)
- Star Wars discussion - Potential movie sequel ideas
- Closing Remarks (1:44-1:45)
- Recommendation of Paul's Facebook group - Potential future podcast collaboration