Garage Gym Athlete

Can you gain real muscle with isometric holds and little to no equipment? We break down a 2025 study comparing long-muscle-length isometric training to full range of motion isotonic work for quadriceps hypertrophy in trained lifters. We translate the science into simple setups you can use at home or in a hotel gym, explain why long-length positions matter, how to hit a true 10 RPE on static holds, and when to pair pre-exhaust sets with isometrics for serious growth without beating up your joints. What you'll learn: Isometric vs isotonic for hypertrophy and when isometrics can win How to find and hold true long-length positions for chest, back, quads, and hamstrings Making bodyweight isos hard enough to matter with 30-second max-effort holds Joint-friendly use cases for tendons, pain, deload weeks, and travel A plug-and-play isometric session you can try today Sample session: Pull: Chin-over-bar hold to failure, 4 sets Push: Handstand push-up iso 3 to 6 inches off the floor, to failure, 4 sets Quads: Wall sit at or just below parallel, 30-second max holds, 4 to 6 sets Unilateral: Rear-foot-elevated split-squat iso, back knee 1 inch off floor, 30 seconds, 4 sets per leg Optional overload: Pins, fixed bands, or plates on lap for wall sits Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:00 The 2025 study in plain English 03:30 Why long-length isometrics drive growth 06:50 Execution cues: 30s holds and true 10 RPE 08:30 Rehab and tendon applications 10:40 Pre-exhaust plus isos for hypertrophy 12:45 Minimal equipment programming ideas 15:10 Full sample isometric workout 20:20 Soreness, CNS load, and recovery 23:10 Movement skill benefits and coaching cues 27:45 Key takeaways and next steps Links: Free trial of our programming: https://garagegymathlete.com

Fueling for Performance: Avoid the Wall, Train Smarter & Live Better | Garage Gym Athlete Podcast Have you ever "hit the wall" mid-workout — or mid-day? In this episode, Jerred Moon and coaches Joe and Dave reveal how to fuel for performance using simple, science-backed strategies — whether you're training for a 100-mile ultra, crushing CrossFit, or just want more energy as a busy parent. 🔥 What You'll Learn: ✅ What "hitting the wall" really means (and why glycogen runs out fast) ✅ How to use periodized nutrition — match carbs & calories to your training ✅ Why under-eating kills mood, focus & family time (even on rest days) ✅ 4 Pillars of Performance Nutrition: Protein, Calories, Fats, Fiber ✅ Free Macro Calculator: garagegymathlete.com/tools — enter weight, get targets instantly 😂 Funny Moments: Jerred's fingers swelled like balloons from too many electrolytes Joe threatens to disown his brother over the Baltimore Marathon The heated white rice vs. brown rice debate (Team White Rice FTW?) ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Have You Hit the Wall? 01:46 – Glycogen 101: What is "the wall"? 06:43 – Dave's 100-mile ultra fueling (PB&H = MVP) 11:31 – Periodized nutrition for daily life 15:38 – How under-eating ruins sleep, mood & relationships 23:40 – 4 Nutrition Pillars + Free Macro Tool 33:11 – Daily Takeaways: Think Like an Athlete 🔗 Resources: 👉 Free Macro Calculator 👉 Start Training (14-Day Free Trial) 💀 If you don't kill comfort, comfort will kill you. Tags: fueling for performance, hit the wall, glycogen depletion, periodized nutrition, garage gym athlete, crossfit nutrition, endurance training, daily energy, protein timing, carb cycling, ultra marathon fueling, spartan race, macro tracking, performance nutrition, athlete mindset

This week we are looking at a study comparing active rest and passive rest and how it impacts performance. We break down the study, give our thoughts on if and when you should do active rest, and more on resting between sets. 

Motivation fades and excuses pile up. This is when most people quit (but you'll learn how not to). In this episode, we unpack a surprising study that shows how to actually keep making progress when you don't feel like it (using Self-Determination Theory). No hype or fancy programs (these guys didn't even follow a workout plan). Just autonomy, competence, connection, and human to human coaching. Learn the mindset strategies that keep you training (or bettering any area of your health), even when you're not feeling it.

this week Jerred and Dave are talk about weighted vest and what the benefits of using them are.