You can't build muscle forever. Eventually, you start gaining a lot more fat, and the gains just aren't worth it. But does that mean you should always cut body fat before trying to build muscle? That's what one of our listeners asked:

"I&nbsp;have&nbsp;often&nbsp;heard&nbsp;that&nbsp;no&nbsp;matter&nbsp;what&nbsp;your&nbsp;long&nbsp;term&nbsp;goal&nbsp;is,&nbsp;you&nbsp;would&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;from&nbsp;"getting&nbsp;lean&nbsp;first".&nbsp;From&nbsp;what&nbsp;I&nbsp;have&nbsp;picked&nbsp;up&nbsp;this&nbsp;has&nbsp;to&nbsp;do&nbsp;with&nbsp;better&nbsp;insulin&nbsp;sensitivity,&nbsp;lower&nbsp;inflammation,&nbsp;better hormone balance&nbsp;=&nbsp;better&nbsp;nutrition&nbsp;partitioning.
&nbsp;
Is&nbsp;this&nbsp;something&nbsp;you&nbsp;would&nbsp;support?&nbsp;If&nbsp;so,&nbsp;could&nbsp;you&nbsp;point&nbsp;me&nbsp;to&nbsp;somewhere&nbsp;I&nbsp;can&nbsp;read&nbsp;more&nbsp;about&nbsp;this?"

There is some merit to the idea of getting lean before you bulk, but it's not the best idea in&nbsp;all&nbsp;circumstances. You'll learn why in this podcast.
&nbsp;
Want to get our free guides on dieting and powerlifting and a copy of our monthly research review, Shreducation?&nbsp;Click here.

Should You Always Get Lean Before Bulking?

Since you were little, you've heard that eating too much salt can be bad for you.&nbsp;You've heard that you should avoid "salty" foods or that foods high in salt are "bad."
But you're still not sure what counts as a "high salt" diet. You also work out, and you know that you lose some salt through sweat. So is it okay to eat more?
Will adding a little salt to your diet increase your risk of heart disease? No, not really, and we explain why in this podcast. You'll learn why people think eating lots of salt is bad for you, and what the evidence really says.
Want to get our free guides on dieting and powerlifting and a copy of our monthly research review, Shreducation?&nbsp;Click here.

How Much Salt is Too Much Salt?

In this episode Armi, Emma and Lawrence tackle the big question, does eating extra protein cause extra muscle growth?
As ever, it's not just a yes or no.
In this episode we mention George A Bray's study:&nbsp;Effect of Dietary Protein Content on Weight Gain, Energy Expenditure, and Body Composition During Overeating.
Want to get our free guides on dieting and powerlifting and a copy of our monthly research review, Shreducation?&nbsp;Click here.
_____
The music in this episode was:
"Volatile Reaction" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)&nbsp;Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Does Eating Extra Protein Cause Extra Muscle Growth?

Armi, Lawrence and Emma are answering the questions that everyone wants the answer to&nbsp;in this Episode - How do we make something a habit, and how long does that process take?&nbsp;
Armi discusses how it's harder to start doing something than stop doing it, Emma reveals some strategies for dealing with going on holiday, and why the week you're away isn't necessarily why your routine changes after a holiday, and Lawrence has some penguins on his pants.
Want to get our free guides on dieting and powerlifting and a copy of our monthly research review, Shreducation?&nbsp;Click here.
_____
The music in this episode was:
&nbsp;
"Volatile Reaction" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)&nbsp;Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

How Long Does It Take To Form A Habit?

In today's episode Armi, Emma and Lawrence tackle a question that&nbsp;touches a nerve for some people.
Should you hire an out of shape personal trainer?
Does their body image matter as long as they can help you achieve your goals?
Is their physique their business card?
All these questions and more are answered in the next 20 minutes.
Want to get our free guides on dieting and powerlifting and a copy of our monthly research review, Shreducation?&nbsp;Click here.
_____
The music in this episode was:&nbsp;
"Volatile Reaction" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)&nbsp;Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Should You Hire An Out Of Shape Personal Trainer?

In this episode&nbsp;&nbsp;Armi and Lawrence discuss the question sent in from one of our listeners: How much of a difference do steroids make to a physique?
The short answer is one word long,&nbsp;find out in the&nbsp;episode.
Armi mentions Lyle McDonald's&nbsp;article on Anabolic Steroids and Muscle Growth by bodyrecomposition.com.
Lawrence also talks about Grindsmith's&nbsp;coffee shop in Manchester.&nbsp;
_____
The music in this episode was:&nbsp;
"Volatile Reaction" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)&nbsp;Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

How Much Of A Difference Do Steroids Make To A Physique?

Lots of long words are thrown around in this episode by Armi and Lawrence. The big discussion is on aesthetics and whether you need to squat, bench and deadlift for that shredded bod.
Get your thinking caps on. Lawrence is about to get detailed.
&nbsp;_____
The music in this episode was:&nbsp;
"Volatile Reaction" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)&nbsp;Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Do You Need To Squat, Bench And Deadlift To Look Good?

In this episode Lawrence and Emma discuss muscle dysmorphia or Bigorexia.
The discussion was kicked off by this piece on the BBC website.
&nbsp;_____
The music in this episode was:&nbsp;
"Volatile Reaction" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)&nbsp;Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Have You Got Bigorexia?

In this episode Lawrence apologises for the clickbait title before Emma tells us all about brown fat.
The two also try not to scaremonger, but talk about&nbsp;the very dangerous side effects to DNP.
&nbsp;_____
The music in this episode was:&nbsp;
"Volatile Reaction" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)&nbsp;Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/&nbsp;

The Fat That Burns Fat

#TeamSBS Shredded By Science Radio. 

Evidence Based information in your ears

http://shreddedbyscience.com