#25: Dr. Scott Stevenson - A Systematic Approach to Optimizing Hypertrophy Training

We’re back with another exciting episode of The Muscle Memoirs Podcast. On this episode we are once again joined by the riveting Dr. Scott Stevenson. For our listeners who missed our last episode with Dr. Scott, he has a PhD in Applied Exercise Physiology, is a published peer-reviewed scientific author, a successful bodybuilder, coach, and writer. He has been lifting for over 30 years where he has gained invaluable experience in both training and in life.

On this episode we swan dive into the experimentation process that may be required to optimally individualize your program in order to find out what type of training works best for us. Dr. Scott provides us with a general structure of how to go about this experimentation process, how to determine the appropriate dose of resistance training volume, and we wrap up with discussing the balance between sticking to a program that yields some progress vs. the potential of missing out on better progress by not pursuing the optimal set-up. Within each of these topics we venture down various paths of discussion surrounding volume vs. intensity, the lifter psychology, and some fascinating research pertaining to within-subject crossover designs that may guide us in how we approach and construct our training.

We sincerely appreciated Dr. Scott's insights and sage wisdom that he has once again brought to the podcast! If you want to follow and support him, you can check out Dr. Scott Stevenson through the links below:

Instagram: @fortitude_training
Website: drscottstevenson.com
Link to “Be Your Own Bodybuilding Coach: A Reference Guide For Year-Round Bodybuilding Success”: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Own-Bodyb...

The Discussion: A systematic approach to optimizing hypertrophy training
1. The value of experimenting with different styles of training
2. The role of psychology in selecting the optimal training program
3. Individual response to the same resistance exercise program
4. The interplay between training volume and effort: can you off-set a lack of effort by performing more volume? (We spend a lot of time on this topic)
5. Is any progress enough progress? Sticking to a training program and knowing when to switch things up
6. Closing Thoughts