The Judd Lienhard Podcast

Are gym machines “non-functional”? No. They’re a tool, and if you’re avoiding them out of dogma, you’re limiting your results.In this episode, Judd Lienhard breaks down why gym machines build real strength, muscle, and performance, and why the idea that machines are inferior to free weights doesn’t hold up under basic biomechanics, force production, or real-world coaching.Judd explains when free weights make sense, when machines are the better choice, and how smart athletes and coaches use both to build stronger, more durable bodies.Topics covered:What “functional training” actually meansMachines vs free weights for strength and athletic performanceStability, force output, and mechanical tensionTraining around injuries and mobility limitationsWhy isolation exercises matter for full muscle developmentHow machines improve efficiency, volume, and progressionFree weights are a great foundation — but they aren’t the only tool that works. Machines aren’t useless, and they aren’t non-functional. They’re part of intelligent training.Train smarter with Judd’s programs: JuddLienhard.com This episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

In this Q&A episode, Judd addresses common training questions using the same principles he applies with athletes and clients.Topics include how to get back into training after time off, how to build a strong hinge with back pain, and what to consider when dealing with sciatica. Judd also breaks down push/pull/legs programming, how long to run a training block, and how to think about volume, recovery, and consistency without burning out or getting injured.You’ll also hear Judd’s perspective on training athletes (including soccer players), simple mobility and maintenance work for active people, and advice for those interested in becoming a strength coach.In this episode:Getting back into training after a breakBack pain–friendly hinge and deadlift strategiesSciatica considerations: what helps and what to avoidPush/Pull/Legs splits and weekly programming optionsTraining blocks, progression timelines, and recoveryMobility and maintenance for long-term durabilityHow to start a career in strength coaching📲 Try Judd’s Fitness App (Free 7-Day Trial): Train the MASS Method — programs for movement, athleticism, strength, and speed, with full-gym, limited-equipment, and bodyweight options. 👉 juddlienhard.comFollow Judd Lienhard: Instagram: @juddlienhard YouTube: Judd Lienhard Podcast: The Judd Lienhard Podcast#StrengthTraining #BackPain #Sciatica #Mobility #WorkoutProgramming #FitnessPodcast #JuddLienhard #AthleticTraining #QandA This episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

Is full range of motion always better? Or is that just dogmatic gym culture pretending context doesn’t matter?In this solo episode, Judd Lienhard—former Army Ranger, college linebacker, and strength & performance coach with 15+ years of experience—breaks down the full range of motion vs partial range of motion debate without the internet nonsense.Train smarter with Judd’s performance-based programs. Get access to Judd Lienhard’s full training app—strength, athletic development, mobility, and conditioning built for real bodies, not dogma. Start your FREE 7-day trial now: JuddLienhard.comThis episode covers:Why “full range of motion” is a misleading, context-dependent termWhen partial reps actually build MORE strength and powerHow injuries, limb length, joint structure, and mobility change what “optimal” looks likeWhy elite athletes and top strength coaches intentionally limit range of motionThe role of hypertrophy vs strength vs athletic performanceHow fatigue, CNS load, and season timing should influence exercise selectionWhen accommodating resistance (bands & chains) makes more sense than dogmaIf your goal is athletic performance, long-term strength, or injury-resilient training, this episode will challenge the idea that deeper is always better—and explain why smart training adapts to the athlete, not ideology.🎧 Whether you’re a strength coach, athlete, lifter, or serious gym-goer, this episode will change how you think about reps, depth, and performance.Listen, subscribe, and leave a review to support the show. New episodes drop weekly. This episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

Training pain vs. injury. Building muscle after 40. TRT. Mobility. HRV. Explosiveness as you age.In this Q&A episode of The Judd Lienhard Podcast, Judd answers some of the most common (and most misunderstood) questions around training, recovery, and performance after 40.If you’ve ever questioned whether you should push through discomfort or back off, or wondered how aging actually affects strength, power, and recovery, this episode is for you.Judd breaks down how to distinguish normal training pain from real injury signals, why loss of power and strength inhibition are red flags you shouldn’t ignore, and how most injuries build slowly long before something “goes wrong.” He explains how smarter training adjustments help you continue progressing instead of ending up sidelined.The conversation also covers muscle growth after 40, explosiveness and power development, mobility versus flexibility, HRV and wearable data, and an honest discussion on testosterone, TRT, and hormone optimization.This episode is for anyone who wants to train hard, stay athletic, and make smarter decisions as they get older, without wrecking their body in the process.Episode Chapters / Timestamps00:00 Training Pain vs. Injury — When to Push or Shut It Down03:54 Building Muscle After 40 — What Actually Changes06:30 Early Warning Signs That Lead to Major Injuries07:45 Can You Still Build Explosiveness After 40?09:40 Power vs. Strength vs. Endurance as You Age11:15 Dead-Stop Training & Ballistic Movements13:05 HRV, Sleep & Wearable Data15:47 Mobility vs. Flexibility20:15 Testosterone, TRT & Hormone Optimization26:30 Natural Ways to Optimize Testosterone30:10 Estrogen, Mood, Sleep & PerformanceAbout the ShowThe Judd Lienhard Podcast focuses on strength, discipline, and athletic development for real life. Hosted by performance coach and former Army Ranger Judd Lienhard, the show breaks down training, mindset, and performance.New episodes drop on Tuesdays. Q&A episodes drop on Thursdays.Follow Judd Lienhard:📲 Instagram: @juddlienhard📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@juddlienhard  Train with Judd: juddlienhard.com This episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

If you’re training hard but unsure whether high volume or low volume training actually builds more strength and muscle, this episode is for you.Judd Lienhard breaks down the long-running debate around training volume, intensity, and frequency, explaining what science and real-world coaching experience actually show—and how to apply it to your own training.👉 Try Judd’s training app free for 7 days and train with the same principles discussed in this episode: strength, athleticism, and long-term progress.You’ll learn:The difference between training for strength vs. hypertrophyWhy training to failure is often misunderstoodHow volume, intensity, and frequency really affect resultsWhy compound lifts to failure can hold athletes backThe minimal effective dose vs. optimal volume for muscle growthHow training age, recovery, and lifestyle change what works bestJudd also explains why elite systems—from old-school bodybuilding to extreme Olympic weightlifting models—show what the body can adapt to, but why smarter programming wins long-term.If you’re deciding between high-volume or low-volume training, this episode will help you train with clarity, confidence, and purpose—without wasting time in the gym.Train with Judd Lienhard Free 7-Day Trial: juddlienhard.com Instagram: @juddlienhard YouTube: Judd Lienhard This episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥