E 61 | Fitness Industry Trends: What's Actually Science vs. What's Just Marketing
Mon Feb 02 2026
Episode SummaryEvery year brings new fitness trends that promise to revolutionize training, optimize performance, and deliver better results. But which trends are backed by solid research and which are just clever marketing designed to sell courses and supplements?
In this episode, I break down the biggest trends in the fitness industry right now using a simple three-question framework: Is there peer-reviewed research? Is the effect size meaningful? Does the cost-benefit analysis make sense?
WHAT'S HERE TO STAY (Backed by Strong Evidence):
Velocity-Based Training (VBT) - 47 studies showing 8-15% improvements in power output with precise autoregulation and increasingly affordable technologyIndividualized Protein Targets - ISSN 2023 position stand confirms 1.6-2.2g per kg of lean body mass beats generic "1g per pound" recommendationsZone 2 Cardio - European Heart Journal 15-year study of 10,000 adults shows this is the strongest predictor of longevity and cardiovascular healthBlood Flow Restriction Training - Meta-analysis of 75 studies proves comparable hypertrophy at 20-30% loads vs. traditional 70-80% training
OVERHYPED BUT HAS MERIT (Nuanced Reality):
Menstrual Cycle-Based Training - Small effect sizes (0.2-0.4) with huge inter-individual variation; useful as autoregulation tool, not prescriptive mandateWearable Technology & HRV - Good data collection, improving algorithms, but most people lack interpretation skills; valuable for long-term trends, not daily micromanagementMovement Quality Assessments - Generic screens like FMS show near-zero injury prediction, but watching loaded movement patterns absolutely matters
STRAIGHT-UP HYPE (Avoid or Question Heavily):
Spot Reduction - Definitively debunked in systematic reviews; fat loss is systemic, not localizedExtreme Biohacking - Ice baths can blunt muscle growth post-workout; most protocols have absurd cost-benefit ratios compared to sleep and nutrition fundamentalsMuscle Confusion - Muscles respond to progressive overload, not constant variation; consistency beats random program changes"Optimal" Training Frequency - When volume is equated, frequency explains less than 5% of outcome variance; individualization trumps one-size-fits-all splits
COMING SOON:
Affordable genetic testing for individualized programmingAI-assisted program design for real-time adjustmentsMuscle protein synthesis biomarkers for precision nutrition
KEY FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING TRENDS:
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Episode SummaryEvery year brings new fitness trends that promise to revolutionize training, optimize performance, and deliver better results. But which trends are backed by solid research and which are just clever marketing designed to sell courses and supplements? In this episode, I break down the biggest trends in the fitness industry right now using a simple three-question framework: Is there peer-reviewed research? Is the effect size meaningful? Does the cost-benefit analysis make sense? WHAT'S HERE TO STAY (Backed by Strong Evidence): Velocity-Based Training (VBT) - 47 studies showing 8-15% improvements in power output with precise autoregulation and increasingly affordable technologyIndividualized Protein Targets - ISSN 2023 position stand confirms 1.6-2.2g per kg of lean body mass beats generic "1g per pound" recommendationsZone 2 Cardio - European Heart Journal 15-year study of 10,000 adults shows this is the strongest predictor of longevity and cardiovascular healthBlood Flow Restriction Training - Meta-analysis of 75 studies proves comparable hypertrophy at 20-30% loads vs. traditional 70-80% training OVERHYPED BUT HAS MERIT (Nuanced Reality): Menstrual Cycle-Based Training - Small effect sizes (0.2-0.4) with huge inter-individual variation; useful as autoregulation tool, not prescriptive mandateWearable Technology & HRV - Good data collection, improving algorithms, but most people lack interpretation skills; valuable for long-term trends, not daily micromanagementMovement Quality Assessments - Generic screens like FMS show near-zero injury prediction, but watching loaded movement patterns absolutely matters STRAIGHT-UP HYPE (Avoid or Question Heavily): Spot Reduction - Definitively debunked in systematic reviews; fat loss is systemic, not localizedExtreme Biohacking - Ice baths can blunt muscle growth post-workout; most protocols have absurd cost-benefit ratios compared to sleep and nutrition fundamentalsMuscle Confusion - Muscles respond to progressive overload, not constant variation; consistency beats random program changes"Optimal" Training Frequency - When volume is equated, frequency explains less than 5% of outcome variance; individualization trumps one-size-fits-all splits COMING SOON: Affordable genetic testing for individualized programmingAI-assisted program design for real-time adjustmentsMuscle protein synthesis biomarkers for precision nutrition KEY FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING TRENDS: span class="ql-ui"...