Weights and Plates Podcast
Starting Strength Coach and Registered Dietitian Robert Santana shares his knowledge of all things diet, training, barbells, and more.
Episodes
In this episode of the Weights & Plates Podcast, Robert Santana sits down with Andy Baker — owner of Baker Personal Training and co-author of Practical Programming for Strength Training. They dive into how strength coaching has evolved, what most lifters get wrong about programming, and why results matter more than methods. Andy s...
In this episode of Weights & Plates, Coach Robert Santana breaks down one of the most overlooked elements of training success: mindset and consistency. Everyone wants to get stronger, leaner, or more muscular—but few understand that true progress takes years, not weeks. Robert dives into why most lifters quit when training gets hard, why "12-week transformations" are a lie, and how the real key to progress is showing up even when y...
In this solo episode, coach Robert Santana takes a hard look at exercise science research—what it really tells us, and where it falls short. He dives into the history of lifting, the rise of "evidence-based" fitness, and why so many studies don't translate to real-world results. From sample size problems and lifestyle confounders to the obsession with volume over load, Robert explains why lifters can't blindly follow the latest pap...
Consistency, recovery, and lifestyle — that's what really makes or breaks your strength gains. In this episode, Robert Santana breaks down why most lifters stall out after the "newbie gains" phase, the truth about diminishing returns, and the five rules every lifter needs to keep progressing. From balancing training with work, kids, and travel, to why sleep, food, and environment matter more than complicated programming, Robert sha...
In this episode of the Weights & Plates Podcast, Robert Santana takes a Q&A-style approach to tackle some of the most common training and nutrition challenges. He explains why hydration is more than just drinking water, breaking down the role of electrolytes, sugar, and sodium in performance—especially in extreme heat or for early morning lifters. Robert also covers why ...
Welcome to the Weights & Plates Podcast, hosted by strength coach and nutrition expert Robert Santana. In this kickoff episode, Robert is joined by Jay Ware, a long-time friend and fellow coach who might just be sticking around as the podcast's new co-host.
🎙️ In this episode, Robert and Jay dive into:
• How they met through strength coaching and coaching internships
• Jay's background growing up in a small town and his journey in...
In this episode, Michael Sartain — former Air Force captain, social dynamics expert, and founder of Men of Action — breaks down the science of attraction, how fitness fuels confidence, and why most men are failing in today's dating market.
We dive into why being the "nice guy" doesn't work, how evolutionary psychology explains what women are actually attracted to, and the role of social proof in modern dating. Michael explains how ...
In this episode of the Weights & Plates Podcast, Robert Santana is joined by strength coach Gretchen Geist to break down the biggest misconceptions in the gym. They dive into why most people confuse exercise with actual training, the problem with group classes and light weights, and how real strength training impacts bone density, muscle growth, and long-term health. They also discuss why genetics matter more than people want to ad...
In this episode of the Weights and Plates Podcast, Robert Santana gets real about what lifting weights actually does for your body—and what it doesn't. He breaks down the difference between training for strength and chasing aesthetics, why most people misunderstand barbell training, and how steroids and genetics skew expectations.
Whether you're a beginner confused by conflicting advice or a coach trying to get clients under the ba...
Starting Strength Coach Robert Santana talks about how everyone looks different when they train, why that is, why squatting, deadlifting, bench press will help you gain long-term strength, and how to evaluate coaches and trainers.
https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/
Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-
Instagram: @the_robert_santana
Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/we...
Starting Strength Coach Robert Santana talks about how getting stronger helps you achieve every fitness goal, bodybuilding vs powerlifting vs starting strength, novices, and more.
https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/
Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-
Instagram: @the_robert_santana
Hari Fafutis, SSC joins the show to talk about doing the Starting Strength Linear Progression, gaining weight, building big arms, and more.
https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/
Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-
Instagram: @the_robert_santana
Jesse Vezina joins the show to talk weightlifting, training like an athlete, the trade-offs of pushing your limits, coaching, and more.
https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/
Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-
Instagram: @the_robert_santana
Coach and RDN Juliette Gonzalez joins Robert Santana to discuss her fitness journey from Globo Gyms to Starting Strength, becoming a dietician, working as a coach, beauty standards, and more.
https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/
Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-
Instagram: @the_robert_santana
Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandp...
In this episode, Robert Santana talks about programming for your upper body and how it differs from lower body training.
https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/
Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-
Instagram: @the_robert_santana
Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com
In this episode, Robert Santana sits down with Gretchen Geist to talk about her fitness journey, how she went from doing Crossfit to Starting Strength, becoming a coach, and exaggerated expectations in the fitness industry.
https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/
Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-
Instagram: @the_robert_santana
Online Diet Coaching and Strength Training with Dr. Robert Santana
https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/
Follow Weights & Plates
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-
Instagram: @the_robert_santana
Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates
Web: https://weightsandplates.com
Many people (most?) get into fitness because they want to look better. At least, that's a primary reason. It's a worthwhile goal -- looking better is a gateway drug to performing better after all, becuase your performance (i.e. your strength and conditioning) drives your body composition. There is a big breakdown in what many people perceive as the ideal or even just good body composition, however, and what is realistically achieva...
It's that time of the year again, the uniquely American feast that is Thanksgiving. It's a time of feasting and festivities, but for a lot of people the feasting doesn't end when the holiday is over... it extends over the next five weeks until the end of the year. As Dr. Santana points out, there is some research that shows people tend to gain a few pounds over the holidays, then go back to eating at maintenance in the new year. Th...
In today's episode, Dr. Santana and Coach Trent discuss a common mistake lifters make before they begin a set -- the unrack. As Coach Trent says, the set doesn't begin when you descend into your first rep, the set begins when you step on the platform. Getting your mindset right, visualizing a successful set, and unracking the bar with authority and controlled aggression is oftentimes the difference between a successful set and miss...
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