Joe DeFranco's Industrial Strength Show

You lift weights. You do cardio. But are you actually in shape to SPRINT? On this week's Q&A, Joe explains why your squat and deadlift numbers—and even a great warm-up—don't guarantee you're prepared to run full speed. He outlines his gradual return-to-sprint approach, explains why maximum EFFORT doesn't have to mean maximum SPEED, and previews his upcoming presentation at the Vigor Ground Fitness and Business Summit. Joe also discusses splitting workouts into shorter sessions throughout the day, why lower-body movements belong in an upper-body warm-up, and the single best cue for a stronger, more stable deadlift. Finally, he tackles why lifters—and the fitness community in general—is so damn divided on deadlifts! *For a full list of show notes & timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Team Forever Strong [1st week FREE!]
• Vigor Ground Fitness & Business Summit 2026

Are you always sore? Before you buy another recovery gadget, you might wanna take a closer look at your TRAINING! On this week's show, Joe answers four listener questions:

• His top three recovery priorities for lifters over 40—and why your PROGRAM could be the reason you're always sore.
• The one muscle nobody checks for low back pain
• Food QUALITY vs. calorie counting: Why Joe doesn't always start overweight clients by telling them to eat less.
• Are L-lateral raises overrated? Joe shares his favorite variation and how he uses them to finish off the delts!

Plus, Joe kicks things off with TWO announcements: his speaking topic for Luka Hocevar's Vigor Ground Fitness and Business Summit in November, AND the title and details of his next training program—dropping around Christmas!

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Team Forever Strong [1-Week Free Trial]
• DeFranco's Training PROGRAMS
• Jill Miller's Coregeous Ball

What would Joe DeFranco do if he woke up tomorrow, looked in the mirror, and "Bloated Joe D" was staring back at him?! In this episode, Joe answers a listener's hypothetical question by revealing the first 5 things he'd do to get his lean physique back—at age 51.

Before outlining his plan, Joe shares the lessons learned from two very different transformations: his first diet at 21, which got him to single-digit body fat but ended with him regaining all the weight plus an additional 18 pounds, and the 40+ pound weight loss he began around age 40—and has maintained ever since.

Drawing on those experiences, Joe explains why his approach today would prioritize sustainable habits over a dramatic short-term transformation. He breaks down:

• A simple starting point for establishing a slight calorie deficit.
• How he'd set his protein target and distribute it throughout the day.
• Why he'd aim for at least 25 grams of fiber daily.
• His practical daily water-intake target.
• How he'd combine low-volume strength training with 8-10k daily steps.

Plus, Joe adds a bonus habit that deserves a place in any fat-loss plan! He discusses its role in recovery, performance, and managing food cravings.

To wrap things up, Joe explains how listeners can get FREE access to his Busy Bastard strength training program and shares details about a four-day email promotion giving Lean Bastard customers 20% off their next DeFranco program.

If you're tired of losing weight only to gain it back, this episode lays out Joe's practical approach to building a leaner physique—and maintaining it forever.

In this week's episode, Joe answers four listener questions covering smarter training, career growth, and better breathing. He explains why he never programs forced reps—including an overlooked problem—and shares his take on Squatober after the age of 40. Can you embrace the challenge without burying your recovery? Joe also reveals the best question a former intern ever asked him and explains how focusing on ONE THING laid the foundation for his business success. Finally, he shares two unique breathing cues that will enable you to become a "better breather", plus practical ways to practice them. Expect straightforward advice, personal stories, and coaching insights you can put to use immediately! *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Iron Business Mastermind Weekend
• Team Forever Strong [1-Week Free Trial]

Joe takes a break from the typical training Q&A for a fun, unique episode featuring 10 totally random listener questions! He opens up about his recent skin cancer scare and weighs in on the controversial HYROX incident in Beijing: Was continuing the race a display of grit—or disrespect? Other topics include Nicolas Cage playing John Madden, getting help on the first rep of heavy dumbbell bench presses, Clubber Lang vs. Ivan Drago, and Joe's favorite running back after Walter Payton. He also discusses incline walking vs. daily steps, his two best exercises for improving 225-pound bench press rep endurance, and what he'd change about his past approach to training athletes. Finally, Joe imagines his ultimate restaurant—from the food and music to the behavior that would get a customer permanently banned! *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• DeFranco's Nutritional Supplements
• Mass Confusion [NEW program!]

"Muscle confusion" is complete bullsh*t. So why did Joe D. and Smitty name their new program "Mass Confusion?"

In this episode, they explain the difference between random workouts and planned variation—and give you a look behind the scenes at how they built one cohesive 12-week program from three different training splits.

They break down all three phases: an Upper/Lower split that uses a "reverse workout order" to reduce joint stress and their unique cluster set/EMOM approach to build strength and muscle; a Push/Pull/Legs split featuring the "total reps" method and "daily undulating periodization" (DUP); and a "bro split" that puts your newfound strength to work building muscle, including the brutal 6-12-25 method.

You'll hear why they chose each method, how the phases fit together, and why intelligently rotating exercises keeps training fresh without sacrificing progress. This is the method behind the Mass Confusion madness! *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Team Forever Strong [1-Week FREE Trial]
• MASS CONFUSION Ebook

This week, Joe welcomes coach Kevin Carr to the Industrial Strength Show! Kevin is the co-founder of the Certified Functional Strength Coach certification and "Movement as Medicine" Massage & Movement Therapy Clinic. He has nearly 20 years of coaching experience, working with everyone from Olympic athletes to average Joes. In this episode, Joe and Kevin cut through the confusing fitness advice online and share practical ways to improve strength, cardiovascular fitness and overall health. Specific topics include: How to restart training after a layoff — and build habits that stick; how & why to administer the 2-mile max aerobic speed test; whether age is really "just a number"; how exercise selection, frequency, and intensity should evolve as you get older; sprinting after 40; exercises to avoid versus movements everyone can/should do; and progressive programming for large groups. Kevin also discusses his new book, Prescribing Movement as Medicine, who it's for, and what readers can expect! *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Follow @coachkevincarr on Instagram
• Prescribing Movement as Medicine (NEW book!)

In this episode, Joe breaks down his tried-and-true principles for in-season strength training. He discusses Charlie Francis' famous "Fill the Glass" concept, reveals the two biggest in-season training mistakes he sees coaches and athletes make, and then takes you inside the exact program he's using with his daughter during her high school soccer season. Joe shares her complete full-body strength workout - exercise by exercise - including her warm-up and a new "Step-Down Matrix" that has quickly become one of his favorite lower-body warm-ups. He also reveals her mid-week "neural primer" and the full-body mobility routine she uses throughout the week when needed. Joe wraps up with a quick review of his in-season training template for football players before teasing his upcoming "30 Days of Delts" challenge, which he'll be sending FREE to his email subscribers this Friday! If you train athletes — or you're an athlete trying to stay strong, healthy and explosive throughout a long season — this episode is for you. *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Team Forever Strong [1-Week FREE Trial]
• Get on Joe's email list!

This week, Joe explains why strength training should be viewed as a "retirement plan for your body" and breaks down the "Strength Training Snowball Effect" — eight positive adaptations that build upon each other to help you become stronger, healthier, leaner, and more capable as you age. He also reveals one of the most overlooked tools in the average person's training — long-duration isometric holds — and explains their unique benefits for strength, hypertrophy, identifying weaknesses/imbalances, joint health, and recovery. Finally, Joe discusses why exercises like band pull-aparts, face pulls, Y-Handcuffs, and scap push-ups still have an important place in a well-designed program — even if they don't score high on the "loadability" scale. He explains why every exercise does NOT need to be heavy or progressively overloaded, and why the best programs include the right mix of high, moderate, and low-intensity movements. All this plus more in another information-packed episode of the Industrial Strength Show!

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• DeFranco's Nutritional Supplements
• Iron Business Mastermind Weekend
• DeFranco-designed training programs
• Joe D's Instagram

Has full range of motion training gone too far? This week, Joe questions whether the fitness industry pendulum has swung too far — from half reps and poor mobility to forcing extreme ranges of motion that we don't actually have the strength or control to own. He explains the difference between accessing a position and actually owning it, why more range of motion isn't always better, and how to safely expand your ROM without sacrificing joint health and longevity. Joe also covers two other training topics: 1) How long should you rest between sprints when training for speed? 2) The subtle technique adjustment that will instantly make your chest-supported rows more effective! *For a full list of Show Notes w/ Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Hill Sprint workout
• Manukora Honey

In this episode, Joe exposes what he considers one of the fitness industry's biggest coaching scams: influencers who train a celebrity or pro athlete ONE TIME, film the workout, snap a picture — and then portray themselves as their "coach."

Joe explains why "putting someone through a workout" and actually COACHING them are two completely different things. From long-term programming and problem-solving to managing injuries, plateaus, recovery, and real-world setbacks, you'll learn what separates an experienced coach from a great content creator. If you've ever purchased an online program — or hired a coach based on their social media following — this is an episode you'll want to hear! *For a full list of Show Notes + Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Iron Business Blueprint [APPLY NOW]

In this week's Q&A episode, Joe answers three listener questions covering sport-specific strength training, how to train someone who hates working out, and the ultimate push-up progression. Joe explains why strength training shouldn't look like your sport, shares his approach for creating the perfect workout for someone who has anxiety around training (or simply hates the gym), and breaks down his 5-phase push-up progression designed to take someone from ZERO push-ups to 40+! Whether you're an athlete, coach, or just looking to get stronger, this episode is packed with practical, real-world training advice you can put to use immediately. *For a full list of Show Notes w/ Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Lean Bastard [LAST CALL!]
• Manukora Honey

It took Joe six months to create a program that only lasts nine weeks. In this episode, he explains why. Joe pulls back the curtain on the creation of Lean Bastard, sharing the behind-the-scenes decisions, setbacks, rewrites, and coaching philosophy that turned this project into a six-month obsession. From scrapping an entire finished program and starting over, to explaining why he chose full-body workouts, zero barbell work, and six unique performance standards, this episode reveals the thought process behind what Joe believes is the best representation of his 30+ years of coaching and problem solving. If you've ever wondered what goes into creating a truly results-driven training program — this is an episode you won't want to miss! *For a full list of Show Notes & Timestamps goto http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Lean Bastard program & recipe guide
• DeFranco's Nutritional Supplements
• Joe D's new website

Joe is back from vacation and he's got a lot of catching up to do...but he's only got an hour to do it! He kicks off this fast-paced "return episode" with a vacation recap and a Lean Bastard update before diving into today's main topic: The 5 Blood Markers That Every Lifter Needs To Understand. If you lift weights regularly, certain blood markers can become temporarily elevated after a hard workout, making it appear as though something is wrong when, in reality, your body is simply recovering and adapting. In this episode, Joe breaks down the five blood markers that are most commonly affected by strenuous workouts: ALT & AST (liver enzymes), Creatine Kinase (CK), Creatinine/eGFR, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and White Blood Cell Count. He explains what each marker measures, why intense training can affect the results, and what you should do before your next blood draw to ensure your labs reflect your true baseline health. Whether you're a competitive athlete, recreational lifter, or simply someone who trains hard and values your health, this episode could save you from unnecessary worry — and help you have a more informed conversation with your doctor. *For a full list of Show Notes w/ Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Follow Joe D. on Instagram

After receiving many requests, Joe finally opens the garage doors and gives listeners a complete rundown of the equipment in his home gym. But this isn't just another garage gym tour… In this episode, Joe rates every major piece of equipment in his gym - from his EliteFTS Collegiate Half Rack and Freemotion Dual Cable Cross to his Technogym BioStrength Chest Press, Arsenal Reloaded Incline Fly, EliteFTS Signature Seated ISO-Row, Nautilus Glute Drive, NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells and more. Along the way, he shares what each piece costs, whether it's actually worth the money, what he'd buy again (and what he wouldn't), plus the specialty bars, accessories and "hidden gems" that have earned a permanent spot in his training over the years. Whether you're building your own home gym, looking to make smarter equipment purchases, or you're just interested in knowing more about Joe's home gym - this episode is a MUST-LISTEN! *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Lean Bastard VIP List [LAST CHANCE!]
• Elitefts Collegiate Half Rack
• Free Motion Dual Cable Cross Lite
• TechnoGym Biostrength Chest Press
• Aresenal's Reloaded Incline Flye
• Elitefts Signature Seated ISO-Row
• Nautilus Glute Drive
• Nuobell Adjustable Dumbbells
• Elitefts 0-90 Incline Bench

After training in his 100-degree garage gym for weeks, Joe decided to do something he hadn't done in over 25 years — join a commercial gym. What happened next completely caught him off guard. In this episode, Joe shares how one air-conditioned workout turned into an accidental self-experiment that changed the way he thinks about heat acclimation, conditioning, and recovery. He explains the science behind why training in the heat may improve your body's cooling system, lower your heart rate during exercise, and help you recover faster between sets — all in easy-to-understand language. He also discusses why years of free-weight and bodyweight training made machine exercises feel surprisingly easy, and why he still believes that transfer doesn't work nearly as well in the opposite direction. Whether you train in a garage, a commercial gym, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with practical lessons that may change the way you think about your workouts. *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• FREE Live Workshop for Gym Owners [Save Your Seat!]
• Team Forever Strong [Free Trial]
• Lean Bastard VIP List

A longtime listener recently dug through his collection of Joe's old Ask Joe Q&A's, T Nation articles, and EliteFTS posts from over 20 years ago… and he challenged Joe to critique his own advice! In this episode, Joe revisits five classic topics - including box squats, vertical jump training, free weights vs. machines, strength vs. hypertrophy principles, and full-body training splits - to answer one simple question: "Would 2026 Joe D. give the same advice as 2006 Joe D.?" Some recommendations stood the test of time almost exactly as Joe originally taught them… while a few have evolved after two more decades of coaching thousands of athletes, lifters, and everyday clients. It's an honest, entertaining look at what experience reinforces, what research has refined, and why the best coaches are never afraid to re-evaluate their own beliefs. *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Lean Bastard VIP List
• DeFranco's Nutritional Supplements

In this episode, Joe D. explains why one of the most common warm-up mistakes is actually making lifters weaker before their work sets even begin. He shares a smarter approach to programming warm-up sets for better strength, more muscle, and improved performance -- while revealing the exact warm-up progression he used before hitting a recent PR with the 100-pound dumbbells. Joe then breaks down the biggest superset programming mistakes that sabotage workouts, along with simple adjustments that can make them more effective. He wraps up the episode with an often-overlooked shoulder health tip that could finally help eliminate those nagging aches and pains. If you've ever wondered why your shoulders still hurt despite doing "twice as much back work," this episode explains what's probably missing from your program -- and how to correct it! *For a full list of Show Notes + Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Lean Bastard VIP List
• Team Forever Strong [1-Week Free Trial]

This week, Joe celebrates his 51st birthday by sharing 15 lessons, principles, and beliefs that have stood the test of time throughout his life and 30-year coaching career. In this episode, Joe discusses why strength training is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth, why most people need less intensity and more consistency, why joint-friendly training IS performance training, the importance of family and relationships, and so much more! Whether you're 21, 51, or anywhere in between, this episode is packed with timeless advice on health, fitness, longevity, mindset, and life. *For a full list of Show Notes with Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• Lean Bastard VIP list
• Coach CARTright

We've all been there… You slept like crap, you're exhausted, and you've got a workout scheduled. So what should you do? Skip the workout? Push through as planned? Or modify it? In this episode, Joe answers a listener question regarding the best way to train when sleep-deprived. Specifically, should you reduce volume or intensity when recovery is compromised? Along the way, Joe discusses why relying on stimulants may NOT be the best strategy, the single most important aspect of a "sleep-deprived" workout (and it's NOT what most people think), how to properly warm up when you're running on fumes, what to remove from your workouts when sleep-deprived, and what you should keep in your program - even after multiple nights of poor sleep. If you're a busy parent, athlete, entrepreneur, shift worker, or anyone who occasionally struggles to get enough sleep, this episode is packed with practical, real-world advice you can start using immediately. *For a full list of Show Notes w/ Timestamps visit http://www.industrialstrengthshow.com/.

• IMPORTANT LINKS
• DeFranco's Tyrofeine
• Lean Bastard VIP List