Strength Changes Everything

• Contralateral Adaptations, Strength Training Through Injury and Surgery

  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 what most people miss when preparing for surgery. Dr. Fisher starts by explaining the link between strength and surgery recovery. He shares how strong you go into surgery matters just as much as the surgery itself. If your legs are weak before that hip replacement, recovery will take longer. But if you go in strong, you'll have a smoother comeback. Dr. Fisher reveals why “just rest” after an injury isn’t always helpful and how resting completely might actually slow your healing. Amy and Dr. Fisher cover how training your good side can protect the injured one. There are tons of research that highlight how working your healthy arm or leg helps your injured side stay stronger while it heals.  How to stay strong even when half your body’s out of commission. You don’t need both sides to train. Work the one that’s not injured, and the other side will benefit too. Understand that your body knows how to balance itself up. Dr. Fisher explains that the body always wants to stay balanced. Even if you stop training one side, it will still send positive signals to the other.  Amy on why we should stop obsessing over little body imbalances. Perfect symmetry is a myth. There is a very high likelihood that your bones, muscles, and posture are not perfectly aligned or symmetric, and that’s okay.  Dr. Fisher explains why two sides can be equally strong but still feel different. Even if both arms lift the same, one might tire faster, be stronger, or be more technical.  Amy highlights how training before surgery gives you an edge. As long as your doctor clears it, training safely with a personal trainer can set you up for a faster, stronger recovery. Understand that post-surgery rest is temporary, not forever. For Dr. Fisher, you might need a week off after an injury or surgery. But after that, your goal should be to get back to training carefully as part of your healing journey. Dr. Fisher covers the best way to ease back into training after surgery. Amy and Dr. Fisher talk about the benefits of working with a personal trainer post surgery. Having someone guide you keeps your workouts safe, focused, and way less overwhelming. Amy reminds us that being injured doesn’t mean being stuck. You don’t have to sit on the sidelines. There’s still so much you can do if it’s done right. Amy and Dr. Fisher agree that strength training isn’t all-or-nothing. You don’t have to be at 100% to train. Working at 40% with intention is still as powerful.     Mentioned in This Episode: The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions! Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com     This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

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  23:16
• Stretch Your Muscles, Stretch Your Life: How Flexibility Impacts Strength, Pain, and Performance with Dr. Dave Behm

  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 sports performance, as well as a couple of fun facts you probably haven’t heard about…but that are backed by research! Today’s episode looks at all things muscle tightness, stiffness, and soreness, as well as the key role of stretching.  Hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher are joined by muscle physiology researcher and The Science and Physiology of Flexibility and Stretching author Dr. Dave Behm. Dr. Behm explains that, unlike what many may believe, it’s not just elderly people who should stretch – but everyone, since we start to lose flexibility by the age of five. In the Western world, low back pain is the most common affliction. The main cause for your lower back muscles becoming too stiff? Sitting for long periods of time… Dr. Behm provides a breakdown of the impact that being seated for too long has on your body (including the different areas it affects). Amy introduces muscle knots into the conversation, and Dr. Behm addresses the difference between muscle knots and general tightness. Dr. Behm touches upon the role of collagen, while Dr. Fisher shares his surprise that the hip flexors and pectoral muscles are not the most common pain Dr. Behm mentioned. Did you know that, at times, neck pain or headaches can be caused by your hamstrings being too stiff? That’s where the “meridian chain” comes into play. Research on so-called “global effects” or “non-local effects” show that stretching your shoulders makes your hamstrings more flexible, and vice versa – stretching your hamstrings makes your shoulders more flexible. Have an injury to your right hamstring? Don’t just be sitting around; stretching your left hamstring will help! The Cross Education Effect is the process in which, by training one side (e.g., your right arm), the other side (e.g., your left arm) gets stronger too. This has been known since the 1890s. Dr. Fisher and Dr. Behm touch upon foam rolling and a study that looked at the impact of doing a similar type of movement. A study carried out by Dr. Behm showed that it’s possible to get stronger by stretching on a regular basis and for several days a week (for a minimum of 15 minutes a day). There are differences between stretching during a pre-game warm-up routine and stretching to get a semi-permanent increase in range of motion. Dr. Fisher shares that the Exercise Coach now offers 20 or 40 minutes of coach-assisted stretching on top of the 20 minutes of strength training. Doing slightly too much stretching during your warm-up routine can impact your game or performance by 3-5%... but it can dramatically decrease the chances of you getting injured. Remember: stretching doesn’t prevent all-cause injuries, but it can result in a reduction in muscle and tendon injuries, especially with explosive-type activities. An additional benefit of stretching is the fact that, by doing it on a regular basis, you tend to get stronger at longer muscle lengths (the so-called force-length relationship). Amy talks about a piece of exerbotics equipment called The Crossfire and what it helps clients with. Numerous studies by Tony Kay have shown that doing eccentric resistance training has a very positive effect on range of motion as well. Dr. Behm discusses a current article he’s writing that focuses on the effect of stretching on relaxation.     Mentioned in This Episode: The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions! Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com Dr. Dave Behm Memorial University of Newfoundland Dr. Behm’s TEDx Talk: Stretching the Way We Think About Athletes The Science and Physiology of Flexibility and Stretching by Dr. Dave Behm Edward Wheeler Scripture  Jonathon Fowles  Prof. Tony Kay    This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

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  32:44
• How to Strength Train Smarter by Controlling Your Range of Motion

  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 run. Dr. Fisher starts by defining range of motion and why it’s important for strength training. He explains that range of motion isn’t just about flexibility or stretching. It’s about how far and in what direction you can move a joint or muscle, which directly impacts strength, performance, and injury prevention. Dr. Fisher explains how strength varies throughout a movement and why it matters. Muscles aren’t equally strong at all points in a movement. They are weaker in the fully-lengthened and fully-shortened positions, but much stronger in the middle. Understanding this helps you train smarter and avoid injury. Amy highlights the strength curve and why you’re stronger in some positions more than others. How to avoid injury by understanding weak points in your range of motion. According to Dr. Fisher, every movement has points where your muscles are naturally weaker. Loading too much weight in these positions increases the risk of strain or injury. Dr. Fisher on the most important habit for protecting your joints--never lock them out during lifts. When you fully extend your joints under load, you shift stress from your muscles to your bones and ligaments. Keeping a slight bend in your knees and elbows ensures that your muscles, not your joints, handle the weight. Amy explains how keeping muscles loaded every second of an exercise maximizes gains.  Understand that pausing or locking out during a lift gives your muscles a break and shifts the load away from them. Keeping tension on the muscle throughout the movement ensures continuous engagement, leading to better strength and muscle development. Dr. Fisher explains how rushing through reps reduces their effectiveness. Moving in a slow, controlled manner keeps the muscles engaged and working harder, leading to better strength and endurance over time. According to Dr. Fisher, younger people may get away with using extreme ranges of motion, but over time, this can wear down joints and connective tissues. Training with a more controlled range of motion helps maintain joint health for the long run. Amy explains how going too far back in a lift weakens tendons and ligaments. When you move too far into a stretch during a lift, you stop effectively working the targeted muscle and instead place excessive stress on tendons and ligaments. This weakens them over time and increases the risk of injury. Many people assume soreness means a workout was effective, but that’s not necessarily true. Soreness can indicate muscle fatigue or even joint stress, so it’s not the best way to measure progress. Amy and Dr. Fisher agree that a well-designed workout should challenge your muscles, not leave you in pain for days. Your personal trainer’s role is to design a program that helps you get stronger while keeping your joints safe and your body functional. Amy and Dr. Fisher discuss how training with joint health in mind ensures you stay strong, mobile, and pain-free as you get older. Dr. Fisher debunks the myth that you need extreme motion to build muscle. Some bodybuilders and personal trainers believe that using a larger range of motion leads to more muscle growth, but research shows that safer, controlled ranges are just as effective. You don’t need extreme movement to see results. The key is maintaining proper muscle tension and control. Dr. Fisher’s top tip for rehab and preventing muscle loss. If you’re recovering from an injury, immobilizing the joint completely can lead to muscle loss. Even small muscle contractions help maintain strength and promote healing. Amy’s advice for gym-goers and fitness trainers: When working out, make sure your movement stays within a safe and effective range.  Proper guidance helps prevent injury and ensures that your muscles—not your joints—are doing the work.     Mentioned in This Episode: The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions! Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com Joint-Friendly Fitness: Your Guide to the Optimal Exercise by Bill DeSimone     This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

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  27:37
• The Truth About Type I and Type II Muscle Fibers: Strength Training Essentials

  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 and how small changes in your workouts can have a huge impact on your long-term health. What are type one and type two muscle fibers, and why does it matter? Dr. Fisher explains that type one fibers are built for endurance, while type two fibers generate explosive power—think marathon runners versus sprinters or powerlifters. Dr. Fisher dives deeper into why we shouldn’t think of our bodies as purely type one or type two. While genetics play a role, the way we train determines how these fibers develop and function over time. The Size Principle explains how our bodies recruit muscle fibers based on demand. If we only perform light movements, we activate type one fibers, but if we never lift heavy, we neglect type two—leading to faster muscle decline as we age. Amy asks whether someone could go decades only recruiting type one fibers. Dr. Fisher says this is a common issue, especially for sedentary individuals like office workers who don’t challenge their muscles regularly. According to Amy, the problem with neglecting type two muscle fibers is that they’re the ones that decline the fastest with age. If we spend our 30s, 40s, and beyond avoiding high-effort exercise, we’ll lose strength rapidly, making everyday tasks harder over time. Amy points out that as we age, our exercise approach has to evolve. What worked in our 20s might not be enough to maintain type two muscle fibers in our 40s, 50s, and beyond. So how do we train type two fibers? Dr. Fisher emphasizes that you don’t need to lift extremely heavy weights. The key is engaging in strength training with sufficient intensity to activate those fibers. Having a personal trainer overseeing your workouts can go a long way in ensuring you’re training with sufficient enough intensity. For Amy, the difference between recruiting type one and type two fibers comes down to duration and intensity. For older adults who haven’t exercised in years, strength training is a game-changer. Dr. Fisher explains that if the choice is between walking for 20 minutes or strength training for 10 minutes, the latter offers significantly more benefits for health and longevity. Resistance is your ally—when applied safely and at the right intensity, it triggers type two muscle fibers and helps us maintain strength as we age. Amy and Dr. Fisher agree that maintaining muscle is about more than just fitness—it’s about preserving independence and quality of life. Dr. Fisher introduces the concept of concentric and eccentric muscle actions, explaining how both play a role in muscle development. The eccentric phase—where the muscle lengthens under tension—may be particularly effective for type two fiber recruitment. He highlights the benefits of exerbotic devices, like those used in The Exercise Coach, which provide more resistance during the eccentric phase. Amy talks about the future of fitness, and how embracing resistance training—especially with innovative tools—will be key to staying strong and functional for life.     Mentioned in This Episode: The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions! Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com     This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

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  22:39
• Why Most People Fail in the Gym (And How Supervision With a Personal Trainer Can Help)

  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 changing the way we work out, and why a trainer might be the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed. Amy and Dr. Fisher start by explaining the difference between supervised and unsupervised training. What is a supervised workout? Dr. Fisher defines it as training with real-time feedback from a qualified professional to enhance technique, effort, and safety. Dr. Fisher explains why most strength training studies don’t reflect real-world results. He reveals that most studies are supervised, testing whether training works under ideal conditions, not whether people can sustain them in daily life. Amy highlights the overwhelming evidence supporting strength training. Unfortunately, many people avoid it due to its perceived complexity and difficulty. Amy reveals the key reason most people struggle to get started with strength training: uncertainty—people walk into the gym unsure of what to do, which leads to frustration or avoidance. Dr. Fisher covers supervised vs. unsupervised training--and why coaching makes a huge difference. How supervised strength training consistently leads to better results in technique, effort, safety, and adherence. What makes personal training invaluable? Effort: Pushing beyond your comfort zone. Trainers help clients train at the right intensity, ensuring they work hard enough to see real results. Motivation: Having a coach boosts engagement, making training feel less like a chore and more like a rewarding experience. Safety: Dr. Fisher emphasizes that people who train alone are far more likely to get injured compared to those with professional supervision. Accountability: Working with a trainer creates external accountability, making it far more likely that people show up and stay consistent. Smart programming: Coaches tailor workout plans to evolve over time, adjusting intensity, resistance, and exercise selection for steady improvement. Technique: A coach ensures correct form, preventing injuries and maximizing the effectiveness of each exercise. How technology is transforming strength training. Dr. Fisher and Amy discuss the role of exerbotic machines and augmented feedback in optimizing workouts and improving results. Learn why different clients need different coaching approaches. Amy explains that beginners need more focus on technique, while advanced clients benefit from coaching on effort, mindset, and fine-tuning their performance. Dr. Fisher explains that while positive feedback is key, research shows that well-timed negative feedback—urging someone to push harder—can drive significant progress. The trainer-client relationship is more than just fitness. Dr. Fisher reveals that many people compare their relationship with a trainer to that of a doctor or dentist, highlighting the trust and accountability involved. Men vs. women: How supervision affects training differently. Dr. Fisher discusses a study showing that men feel more confident maintaining high effort and safety, while women tend to benefit more from supervision. Why female clients push harder with a coach. Amy highlights that women often maximize their effort in strength training when working under professional guidance. If you struggle to give your best effort in workouts, Amy encourages you to check out The Exercise Coach and work with a trainer for faster, better results.     Mentioned in This Episode: The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions! Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com     This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

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  27:57

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