How Often Should You Really Lift Weights? Feat. Dr. Stuart Phillips

How Often Should You Really Lift Weights? Feat. Dr. Stuart Phillips

From Docs Who Lift by Docs Who Lift

April 2, 2026 · 52 min · Episode 148

About this episode

Dr. Spencer Nadolsky and Karl discuss resistance training with Dr. Stuart Phillips, focusing on evidence from systematic reviews about muscle building and strength improvement.

Dr. Spencer Nadolsky and Karl sit down with Dr. Stuart Phillips, senior author on the newly updated American College of Sports Medicine position stand on resistance training, to break down what 137 systematic reviews and over 30,000 participants actually tell us about building muscle, getting stronger, and improving function across the lifespan. From rep ranges and training frequency to power development, eccentric loading, and why periodization may matter less than you think, this is the evidence-based conversation that cuts through 17 years of social media noise in one episode.

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Spencer Nadolsky, Karl

Guest: Dr. Stuart Phillips

Topics covered

  • resistance training
  • muscle building
  • strength improvement
  • training frequency
  • power development
  • periodization

Keywords

  • weight lifting
  • resistance training
  • muscle
  • strength
  • training frequency
  • power development
  • eccentric loading
  • periodization

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American College of Sports Medicine

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