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Everyone knows that exercise is important. But for many of us—myself included—the barbell world can sometimes seem a little intimidating. If I’m at the gym, and I see some guy lifting a bar that weighs as much as my refrigerator, I’m thinking “I definitely can’t do that.” But would I even want to? Yes, I want to be in good shape, but how important is it really to increase my strength?
In this episode, Matt Reynolds and Scott Hambrick talk about why everyone needs to get strong. We talk about why even white-collar professionals benefit from strength training, how building muscle can improve every aspect of your life (even sex), and how anyone can do it—even your grandma. Plus, we talk about how to start smart, so you don’t feel like a complete newbie, and how you can stay motivated to begin seeing those gains in your overall strength and fitness.
When you improve strength, all other physical attributes improve.”
Matt Reynolds and Scott Hambrick
Matt Reynolds is the owner and CEO of Starting Strength Online Coaching, a company brings premium strength coaching from Starting Strength Coaches to those who don’t have a Starting Strength Coach in their area. He has nearly 20 years of experience competing in strength sports and coaching barbell-based strength and conditioning. He first totaled “elite” in powerlifting in 2004, won his professional status as a Strongman in 2006, and founded one of the strongest and largest pure-strength gyms in the country, STRONG Gym.
Matt is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through NSCA, and holds his Starting Strength Certification. Since 2010, he traveled throughout the country serving as staff coach with Mark Rippetoe for Starting Seminars. He also has served as an adjunct professor for Exercise Science at Bryan University.
Matt’s strength articles have been widely published since 1999, and he has been interviewed by some of the world’s most popular podcasts.
Scott Hambrick got a much later start in strength training. Growing up, he was never particularly athletic, and focused his early adult life on building a business and being an entrepreneur. But after discovering Starting Strength and weightlifting in his 30s, Scott threw himself into strength training and began to build his physical strength. Having fully embraced his passion for strength training, he now works with Matt at Starting Strength Online Coaching as a coach.
Together, Matt and Scott also co-host the popular strength podcast, Barbell Logic, where they systematically and progressively walk through the journey of strength with their 150k+ listeners each month.
When we say ‘barbells are for everybody,’ we mean everybody.”
Episode Highlights
- The 83-year-old church organist who can deadlift more than you
- Why barbells are superior for strength training
- Four essential exercises that give you the biggest return on your investment
- How strength improves all other physical performance
- The beauty of choosing “voluntary hardship”
- Why BMI is a flawed measurement
- The beauty of linear progression: every time you come to the gym you set a personal record
- Why strength training can improve your social confidence
- How to create the discipline to stick to a weight-training routine
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Matt and Scott
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Tom Payne says
Was great to hear Matt and Scott on the podcast. I’ve been barbell training for more than a year and I can attest 100% to everything they said. I have always exercised but MOST of that time was just wasted doing silly things like long distance running, planks, and “Aerobics”.
Like Matt and Scott said barbell training gives you max return on your time investment. At 51 I’m stronger than I have EVER been. In High School and College I always wanted to Bench “two plates” (225lbs) but never got anywhere near it doing every fad workout that came along. Three months following Starting Strength I finally did it at 51 years old. I’m on my way to 315 which I will hit this year. Stop doing silly BS and get STRONG.
Kyle Ingham says
thanks Tom! That’s so great to hear. Damn, 315! That’s impressive. Get strong, indeed!