Strength Changes Everything

Big Box Gyms: Yay or Nay?

And how do they compare to working out with a personal trainer? Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher look at big box gyms and the benefits of working with a personal trainer.

You’ll hear about everything from motivation and habit-building to fitness results, and will walk away with clarity on which option to go for to make the most out of your time and exercising efforts.

• Dr. James Fisher kicks things off ...

What does aerobic fitness really mean — and how can personal training help you improve it?? Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher break down VO₂ max, heart rate, and the science behind combining strength training with interval workouts.

From boosting cardiovascular health to reducing fatigue and disease risk, they explain how targeted personal training can transform your conditioning and overall well-being.

• Amy Hudson and Dr. James ...

What’s the secret to an effective workout? More reps? More sweat? More weights? In this episode, Dr. James Fisher and Amy Hudson break down the science behind strength training, revealing why muscle fatigue, not time or reps, is the real key to results.

From type-2 muscle fiber recruitment to recovery strategies, what you’ll hear will help you rethink how you train and why less might actually be more.

• Dr. Fisher and Amy addres...

Can just 20 minutes with a personal trainer really make a difference? In this episode, Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher explain why effort – not time – is the true driver of fitness results. From the science of stimulus to the dangers of overtraining, they reveal how shorter, smarter workouts can transform your body and redefine your approach to exercising.

• Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher discuss whether the amount of time you ...

Are your daily steps really telling you how fit you are? Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher unpack the limitations of step tracking and explain why effort, not volume, is the true driver of fitness. From sedentary habits to the power of strength training, they reveal what actually moves the needle when it comes to improving your health and longevity.

• In today’s episode, Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher look at whether there’s a me...

Think your heart rate tells the whole story of your workout? Think again. In this episode, Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher unpack the myths around heart rate tracking, explaining why it's not the best measure of workout effectiveness — and what you should focus on instead. From hunger hormones to interval training tips, you'll walk away with a smarter approach to training that actually supports your fitness goals.

• Amy Hudson a...

Is sweating synonymous with a good workout session? Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher address why people sweat and whether sweat is a reflection of the intensity of your workout. You’ll hear about the different contributing factors that lead you to sweat, something dogs and humans have in common when it comes to losing heat, and why the lack of sweat may end up turning working out into less of a big deal. Get ready for the sweaty tru...

Everything you need to know about muscle soreness. Hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher talk about why soreness is NOT indicative of the quality of a workout, what causes – and what doesn’t cause – it, the difference between muscle soreness and joint pain, and what you can do to reduce that soreness. If you’re someone who exercises on a regular basis, you can’t miss this one!

• Today’s episode, which is a part of a series that ...

“What happens if I stop strength training?” That’s the audience question hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher address in this new episode of Strength Changes Everything.

Join them to hear about the benefits and negative consequences of doing and stopping strength training, as well as a 2017 study that looked at how a group of people were affected by halting their 6-month strength training.

You’ll walk away with a better understand...

Join hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher for a quiz-style episode to see whether you’re smarter than the average gym goer! 14 questions based on recently-published scientific research will show you how much you know when it comes to your “gym science.”

Tune in to learn more about the recommended protein intake per meal, carbohydrate, the animal- vs plant-based discussion, and the effectiveness of low- and high-load training.

Plus...

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher discuss the critical role of strength training before and after surgery—and why it can make all the difference in your recovery.

They cover how pre-surgery strength sets the stage for success, what to do (and what not to do) after an injury, and how training one side of your body can benefit the other. Tune in to learn why rest isn’t always the best advice, how to train smart during recovery, and wha...

Hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher discuss all things stretching and muscle soreness with Dr. Dave Behm, author of The Science and Physiology of Flexibility and Stretching.

They cover the most common affliction, when it makes sense to stretch, and for how long you should stretch.

You’ll also hear expert insights on the correlation between stretching and strength, the different stretching approaches, and how they impact your spor...

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher discuss the importance of range of motion in strength training and how it impacts performance, injury prevention, and long-term joint health. They cover why strength varies throughout a movement, the dangers of locking out your joints, and the myths about extreme ranges of motion. Tune in to hear expert insights on training smarter, maximizing muscle engagement, and protecting your body for the long ...

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher explore the difference between type one and type two muscle fibers—why they matter, how they function, and how to train them effectively. They discuss why neglecting type two fibers can lead to rapid muscle loss and how simple strength exercises can make a huge difference in keeping you strong, mobile, and functional for life.

Join us to hear ways a sedentary lifestyle weakens type two muscle fibers ...

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher dive deep into the science of supervised workouts, sharing research on the benefits of guided workouts. They explore the key differences between supervised and unsupervised training, why many people struggle to train effectively on their own, and how coaching impacts technique, effort, safety, and motivation.

Tune in to hear why men and women respond differently to coaching, ways technology is changi...

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher tackle one of the biggest frustrations in fitness—plateaus. They break down why plateaus happen, the role of recovery, nutrition, and mindset, and how to adjust your training to keep moving forward. Tune in to hear why slow progress is better than doing nothing at all, the importance of balancing effort with rest, and practical strategies to help you train smarter and stay consistent even if you’re n...

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher talk with Lauren Colenso-Semple about the science of female muscle physiology and how hormonal fluctuations impact strength training.

They explore the misconceptions around women’s hormones, the underrepresentation of women in research, and whether training recommendations should differ between men and women. Lauren breaks down the truth about menstrual cycles, menopause, and testosterone, explaining...

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher break down the latest research on exercise and longevity, focusing on the newly published Global Consensus on Optimal Exercise Recommendations for Enhancing Healthy Longevity in Older Adults.

They explore why resistance training is essential for healthy aging, preserving muscle mass, bone density, and overall function. Tune in to hear about the role of strength training in disease prevention, how to ...

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher explore the rise of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss.

They discuss how these drugs work, why muscle mass, not just body weight, is the true marker of health, and why many people who lose weight too quickly end up weaker, not healthier. Tune in to hear the long-term risks of GLP-1 use and how strength training can help you maximize the benefits of GLP-1 medications.

• Dr. F...