Home Podcasts Hypertrophy Past and Present
Hypertrophy Past and Present

Hypertrophy Past and Present

Chris Beardsley and Jake Doleschal 56 Episodes Aug 17, 2026

A deep dive into the science of muscle growth. Hosted by Chris Beardsley and Jake Doleschal, this podcast explores hypertrophy training through the lens of pre-steroid era bodybuilding and modern muscle physiology.

Episodes

065 How anabolics changed the fitness industry
065 How anabolics changed the fitness industry Aug 17, 2026 5829 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with Leroy Colbert’s late-1970s enormous volume training plan. The conversation then explores whether using pre-steroid bodybuilders as a model for natural training is really an “appeal to tradition,” before examining the evidence that anabolic steroids can directly stimulate muscle growth even without resistance trai
064 Is time under tension important for muscle growth?
064 Is time under tension important for muscle growth? Aug 11, 2026 3960 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with Reg Park’s 1949 pre-contest routine, which involved training six days per week, twice per day, including the infamous 20-rep breathing squat. This leads into a deep dive on time under tension: Does making a set last longer actually increase muscle growth? Jake and Chris explore why total time under tension may be
063 Are workouts over an hour killing your gains?
063 Are workouts over an hour killing your gains? Aug 4, 2026 5261 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with a full-body routine from legendary bodybuilding coach Vince Gironda and the unusual reliance on isolation exercises. The conversation then shifts to workout duration: Is there any truth to the claim that workouts must be kept under 45, 60 or 90 minutes? Jake and Chris examine what actually happens as a workout be
062 How to overcome a hypertrophy plateau
062 How to overcome a hypertrophy plateau Jul 27, 2026 5045 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with an early 1950s “muscular bulk” routine from Jack Delinger. They discuss the minimalist, barbell-only full-body program and how exercise variety may need to gradually increase as a bodybuilder becomes more advanced.The conversation then shifts to training plateaus: what actually qualifies as a plateau, why slow pr
061 Does training hard help or hinder hypertrophy?
061 Does training hard help or hinder hypertrophy? Jul 21, 2026 5393 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with a 1972 routine from Bradley J. Steiner and discuss what makes it one of the more sensible "golden era" bodybuilding programs they've reviewed so far and whether splitting exercises across consecutive days is likely to be more or less effective than performing all exercises in a single workout. The conversation th
060 How to make your second set more stimulating
060 How to make your second set more stimulating Jul 13, 2026 4644 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with Steve Michalik’s enormous 1972 Mr. America routine and why silver-era routines are the best data set for natural training routines. From there, Jake and Chris explore how the hypertrophy dose-response relationship interacts with the stimulating reps model. They discuss why the second and third sets provide progre
059 Hypertrophy is muscle-fibre specific
059 Hypertrophy is muscle-fibre specific Jul 6, 2026 6479 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with Alan Stephan’s classic Silver Era full-body routine, which he reportedly followed for years while building enormous strength and muscle. This leads into a deeper discussion about exercise variation, whether exercises really “stop working”, and why good natural bodybuilding programs often end up looking repetitive
058 Does mTOR determine your optimal training frequency?
058 Does mTOR determine your optimal training frequency? Jun 29, 2026 5433 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris begin with a classic Clancy Ross full-body routine from the Silver Era, then move into a discussion about training frequency, mTOR, muscle protein synthesis, and whether training again before the previous hypertrophy stimulus has “finished” is actually a problem.Key topics include:• Clancy Ross’ 1940s full-body single set r
057 Full Body A/A/A vs A/B, which is right for you?
057 Full Body A/A/A vs A/B, which is right for you? Jun 22, 2026 5904 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris discuss a full body training A/A/A program from Steve Reeves before exploring how to choose between repeating the same full body workout three times per week or alternating between two different full body workouts.Key topics include:• Steve Reeves’ full body AAA routine• Why many old-school routines online should be treated
056 Most deloads are too short
056 Most deloads are too short Jun 15, 2026 4529 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris discuss deloads. The episode begins with a look at a training program used by six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates before exploring the physiology of accumulated fatigue and recovery.Key topics include: • Dorian Yates' Olympia-era training program • Why training hard does not automatically mean you need a deload • The differen
055 How to build the biggest back possible
055 How to build the biggest back possible Jun 8, 2026 4944 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris discuss how to build the biggest back possible. The episode begins with a back specialization routine from Silver Era educator Peary Rader before breaking down the most effective modern exercises for lats, traps, rear delts, and spinal erectors. Key topics include: • Peary Rader's Silver Era back specialization routine • Wh
054 Strength vs Hypertrophy: Is Powerbuilding the Solution?
054 Strength vs Hypertrophy: Is Powerbuilding the Solution? Jun 1, 2026 3959 In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris analyse a Reg Park power-focused routine and use it as a starting point to discuss powerbuilding. The episode explores how lifters can structure training depending on whether they lean more toward bodybuilding, powerlifting, or a true middle ground.Key topics include:• Reg Park’s power routine from his Mr. Universe course•

Recommended