Wits & Weights | Smart Science to Build Muscle and Lose Fat

How can a small guy deadlift more than the big guy, or why does your smaller friend never seem to gain weight no matter how much they eat?

And what does this mean for your lifting and calorie targets?

Discover the science behind these phenomena as we delve into the fascinating world of scaling laws and their impact on fitness and body mechanics. We break down the principles governing strength, power output, metab...

Nutrition can be overwhelming: from calories and macros to saturated fats, fiber, micronutrients, and meal timing. But what if you ONLY tracked macros? Is that enough for a diet that supports your health and physique?

In this episode, Philip (@witsandweights) breaks down why tracking macros might be all you need to rebalance your diet and set the stage for long-term success. If you're ready to streamline your nutritio...

What does it ACTUALLY take to achieve a lean, ripped, shredded physique?

Join Philip (@witsandweights) as he welcomes Brittany and James Gatewood, the powerhouse couple behind the "Macros, Mindset, and Muscles" podcast, for an in-depth conversation about the physical and mental demands of achieving extreme leanness.

In this episode, Philip and his guests explore the rigorous journey of bodybuilding and f...

What if you could get FASTER results with your physique development by spending most of your time on something very few people put much energy into?

What if spending less time goal-setting, researching, planning, and designing your training and nutrition routine could actually lead to BETTER results?

Are you a perfectionist getting stuck in analysis paralysis or stubbornly being "consistent" but with a p...

Are you tired of endless yo-yo dieting or struggling to get through a fat-loss phase? What if there was a smarter way to get lean that works with your body and not against it?

In today’s episode, Philip (@witsandweights) shares his personal stair-step fat loss process, designed to help you achieve your goals while dealing with life’s challenges, like recovering from an injury or sluggish metabolism. This approach not only ...

Are you a woman over 50 looking to hit your fitness goals, get strong, and have fun along the way? Have you ever wondered how you can integrate fitness into your busy life without feeling overwhelmed?

In this episode, Philip (@witsandweights) welcomes Pam Sherman, a fitness expert with 27 years of experience. Pam is passionate about women’s health and wellness, and today, she shares her insights on setting specific goals a...

What if doing LESS is the answer to more results overall...your fitness, training, nutrition, and anything else going on in your life?

Imagine achieving 80% of your fitness goals with just 20% of your efforts. Today is the first Wednesday episode where we apply engineering frameworks to evidence-based fitness. After all, engineers have made it their craft to optimize results with as few resources as possible through simple...

Have you ever dreamed of running a marathon but felt it was impossible due to your weight or fitness level? Or that lots of cardio will kill your muscle and gains? Discover how Ben went from 280 pounds to qualifying for the Boston Marathon at 55 without losing muscle mass.

In this episode, Philip (@witsandweights) interviews Ben Lewis, who began his fitness journey at 52, weighing over 280 pounds. Now, at 55, Ben has transformed his...

Are you over 40, juggling a demanding career, family responsibilities, and struggling to stay fit? Meet Jerry Bonanno, a 50-something family man who shed 36 pounds of fat and 5 inches off his waist without losing his hard-earned muscle or strength.

Philip (@witsandweights) talks with Jerry about being over 40 and struggling to balance a demanding job, family commitments, and staying fit. Maybe you've been hitting the ...

Are certain exercises are too risky for women, especially as they age?

Today, we're challenging a common misconception in the fitness world: the idea that women should avoid loading their spine.

Is this well-intentioned advice actually holding women back from building stronger, healthier bones? And what's the real key to maintaining bone density as we age?

Let's break down the science and b...

Are you sick of counting calories but still want to shed fat? Is your metabolism stuck in slow motion? Do you want to lose fat but feel overwhelmed by complex diet plans?

In this episode, Philip (@witsandweights) throws out the traditional calorie counting approach and dives into nonlinear dieting for fat loss. He argues that the stress of daily calorie restriction backfires, slowing your metabolism and making it challengi...

Have you ever wondered why, despite all your efforts, you're not seeing the results you want in your fitness?

Today, we're exposing a sneaky little habit that's sabotaging your progress, whether you are aiming for fat loss, muscle gain or any other health goal.

What is this progress-killing behavior and, more importantly, how can you overcome it to finally achieve the results you're after?

Are seed oils really the evil villain they're made out to be? 😈

Let's dissect this heated debate and clear the air. I'm responding to a scathing one-star review accusing me of being "anti-science" and in cahoots with Big Food (seriously, where are my checks! 🤑💵).

Related episode about seed oils:
→ Quick Wits: Seed Oils Aren't the Problem

I stand firm on my evidence-bas...

Are you feeling stuck in a fitness rut? Are you confused by conflicting fitness advice? Struggling to stay motivated when everyone on social media seems to have a perfect body?

Today, Philip (@witsandweights) welcomes Adam Poehlmann, host of The Poehlmann Fitness Show and a dedicated health, fitness, and nutrition coach at Poehlmann Fitness, to discuss how your inner voice can unlock physical achievements. This episode tac...

Have you ever heard the concept that certain types of workouts might keep burning a ton more calories long after you've left the gym for many hours afterward?

Today we're tackling the "afterburner effect," the idea that you can keep burning calories long after your workout is over. And in scientific terms, we are talking about EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption).

Is this effect real...

Is rapid weight loss worth the risk? Can you really build muscle while losing fat? How important is nutrition tracking for your fitness journey?

Today, Philip (@witsandweights) welcomes back Jeff Hoehn for another co-hosted Q&A episode. This time, they discuss aggressive fat loss strategies, the benefits of higher protein intake, and overcoming menopause-related hurdles. They dive into the controversial topic of rapid ...

GOMAD, or "Gallon of Milk a Day," was a protocol popularized by strength coach Mark Rippetoe (of Starting Strength), to ensure rapid weight gain and muscle growth. The idea is to bulk up quickly. You just chug a gallon of milk a day. Easy right?

But before you start doing that, I want you to tune in to today's Quick Wits for my take on this sometimes controversial protocol and why it might not be the best ap...

Can you transform your physique without the traditional bulk and cut cycles? Or is this possible with body recomposition at maintenance calories?

Today we have a question from from Wyatt about whether you can only make progress with your physique while bulking and cutting rather than attempt body recomposition. He also asks whether there is a difference between staying at maintenance calories and body recomp.

In t...

Diet myths got you stuck? Struggling to lose weight NO MATTER WHAT you try? GLP-1 drugs: Magic bullet or risky business?

Today, Philip (@witsandweights) brings on Amy Wilson, a Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, a certified fitness professional, and a certified nutrition coach, for an engaging conversion on GLP-1 weight loss drugs. Amy's mission is to empower her clients to take control of their bodies and minds wi...