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Hypertrophy Past and Present

Hypertrophy Past and Present

By: Chris Beardsley and Jake Doleschal
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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.© 2025 Jake Doleschal & Chris Beardsley. All rights reserved. Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • 058 Does mTOR determine your optimal training frequency?
    Jun 29 2026

    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 routine
    • Whether training a muscle every 48 hours can blunt hypertrophy
    • How repeated bout effect studies can be misapplied to training frequency
    • Why mTOR signalling is not the same thing as muscle growth
    • The role of oxidative stress and inflammation in post-workout recovery
    • How volume, frequency, stress, dieting, and athletic workloads affect recovery
    • Why the best training frequency is limited by recovery

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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • 057 Full Body A/A/A vs A/B, which is right for you?
    Jun 22 2026

    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 cautiously
    • The lying dumbbell front raise and how it may train different regions of the chest
    • Why exercise selection should come before choosing a training split
    • Full body AAA vs full body ABA/BAB
    • The problem with doing multiple sets of the same exercise versus using more exercise variety
    • How spinal CNS fatigue, supraspinal CNS fatigue, metabolites, and calcium ion accumulation affect hypertrophy training
    • How advanced lifters can use priorities to decide which exercises stay the same and which rotate

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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • 056 Most deloads are too short
    Jun 15 2026

    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 difference between planned deloads and reactive deloads
    • How accumulated fatigue affects hypertrophy training
    • Whether anabolic steroid use changes the need for deloads
    • How Chris would structure the “perfect” deload
    • How to program RIR during a deload
    • How long a deload should actually last

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    1 hr and 15 mins
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