So you've heard that certain workouts are for men and not for women. Or maybe you've heard the opposite. But is it really true that specific movements are not for a certain gender, or that one gender does better than the other with them? Nick and Ben dive into this marketing myth that plagues the fitness industry.

Crossfit has taken the world by storm and has made a name for itself in the fitness industry. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, participate in Crossfit annually. There are those who swear by it. There are others who are critical of it. Nick and Ben share both their positive and negative opinions on Crossfit

"How should I break up my workout sessions?" This is one of the most common questions for those embarking on a path that includes resistance training for either strength or size. Not all programs are created equal, and without spending the time and money to get a personalized program from an expert trainer it can be difficult to design a program that is right for you. In this episode, Nick and Ben give a general construct of how you should layout your weekly routine in order to maximize your results. 

Can there really only be just one component that's holding you back from achieving your fitness goals? Maybe you've read article about the "5 Things..." or "Just do these 7 things..." The truth is, at the core of every "thing" you need to do to achieve success is one common denominator that if you can get it right, everything else falls into place. Nick gets one on one with you about what that One Thing is and how it will change your outcome.

In our third episode of our Pregnancy Series, Nick speaks one on one with Dawn Granger. As a mother of four kids, and a bikini competitor who recently took first place in her first NPC competition, Dawn shares with us her struggles and successes throughout her fitness journey. Dawn shares never-before told stories about her fitness, nutrition and depression throughout her four pregnancies and what it was like pulling through and turning it all into a promising and developing fitness career.

In the second episode of our Pregnancy Series, we speak with Ben's wife, Tracy, about her fitness journey as it pertains to her two pregnancies as well as the aftermath while raising three beautiful girls. This episode is a treat, as Tracy speaks not only from the perspective of a mother but also as a trainer who helps clients maintain their fitness throughout their pregnancy.   

So you've done everything you need to do before your workout session, you put all your effort into it and now it's time to head out. But what do you do now to make sure that you get all of the benefit from the time you just put into your fitness? Are there certain things that you even should be doing, or can you just coast for the rest of the day? Nick and Ben have a list of things for you to do so that you can feel confident that you're making sure the juice was worth the squeeze.   www.thefitnesslounge.net

How often have you shown up for your workout and just started right into it? Maybe you had a long day, or an early morning, and simply getting to the gym and finishing on time is all you can think about. Have you felt frustrated after many months of not seeing the results that you expected? Nick and Ben bring you a list of things that you can do prior to showing up for your workout to make sure that you get all the benefit you can from that session.

As the first episode in our Pregnancy Series, Nick and Ben have an in depth conversation with Dr. Charlanne Gasper about the effects that nutrition has on a pregnancy. This is interview is jam packed with helpful information that most mother's may not have heard before. 

Growing muscle isn't always rainbows and butterflies. There can be some real challenges that accompany this decision. Nick and Ben take a lighter look at some of these challenges and make fun of what can be rather frustrating realizations of growing muscle. 

So, maybe you've heard about macros and that you should "count them". You might have even heard some catchy tagline like "If It Fits In My Macros" while referencing a bowl of ice cream with Oreos and gummy worms sprinkled on top. But what are "macros"? And why should you be concerned with them? Nick and Ben clear the air about what macros are and how they impact your nutrition. Whether you're looking to lose body fat or put on lean muscle, knowing the answers to those questions will help you achieve your goal and stay there. 

Have you ever been told that doing cardio exercises causes you to lose muscle? While that can be a true statement, it is also true that there are certain types of cardio that can contribute to muscle growth. Nick and Ben cover the different ways in which doing cardio can help you put on lean muscle mass. It may be time to rethink how you approach cardio in your workouts.

With all the different types of protein powders on the market, which one is right for you? And more importantly, when should you take it to get optimal results? Nick and Ben get gritty with the details you need to supercharge your protein shakes.

We've all been told at one point or another "Carbs are bad!" But are they? Surely that statement can't be all false. Are there such things as good carbs? Can "junk" carbs still have some benefit to them? Nick and Ben get a little gritty with this topic so that you have a better understanding of how and when to use carbs to get to your goal.

Whether you're new to the gym or have been attending for years, there are certain behaviors that are and aren't acceptable. More than likely, you (just like us) have been guilty of at least one of these taboo acts. Relax and enjoy, as Nick and Ben bring you a comical look at what not to do while in the gym.

When it comes to muscle and body fat, your body has a specific way of handling them. The 3 body types are designed as a means to help you understand how each one fares in those two areas of tissue growth and loss. Understanding which body type you are is like having a road map for your journey: without it you may never arrive at your destination. Nick and Ben dive into each body type so that you can have clarity as to how you should approach muscle growth and fat management.

How in the world can negative be positive? When it comes to lifting weights, the "negative" is your greatest opportunity for muscle growth. Nick and Ben dive into the reasons why this is, and why you should emphasize more time in this portion of the lift. We don't pay to watch a movie and leave halfway through. So why go to the gym only to get half the benefits of your time spent their?

Is there a difference between training strictly for strength and training strictly for size? How do you know if your training routine is the correct path to your desired destination? Nick and Ben break down the fundamental differences between resistance training to increase strength and training to see muscle growth.

So you've been told you should be taking supplements. Cool. But which ones? Many aren't cheap and there are so many out there that it can be daunting to figure out what you should take. Nick and Ben lay out the supplements they recommend and which ones they put less emphasis on. 

Have you ever considered using a personal trainer? Not sure if it's the right time? Is it worth the cost? How do you select the right one for you? Nick and Ben bring you their own trainer, Jay Manley. Jay lays out some insights as to how and when you should approach the implementation of a trainer in your fitness journey.