Ep. #237: Research Review: Dr. Mike Zourdos on Blood Flow Restriction Training

Blood flow restriction training is making waves of late.It sounds new. It sounds scientific. And some are saying it’s revolutionary.Well, it also smacks of artifice. Like it was contrived by marketers to sell the latest round of magazines, pills, and powders.And so if you’ve been skeptical, good. You should be.You see, the more time you spend educating yourself in the ways of muscle building, the more you become certain of one thing:If something sounds too good to be true — too easy, too effective, too innovative — it almost always is.Is that the case with blood flow restriction training?In this episode, Dr. Mike Zourdos is going to break it all down. He’s going to explain what blood flow restriction training is, how it’s supposed to increase muscle growth, what it’s best suited for, how to do it safely, and more.In case you’re not familiar with Dr. Zourdos, he’s an assistant professor of Exercise Science at Florida Atlantic University, published scientist, and competitive powerlifter, as well as the head Powerlifting coach at Florida State University.Mike also produces a fantastic monthly research review along with Dr. Eric Helms and Greg Nuckols, called MASS (www.strongerbyscience.com/mass), and this interview is actually based on one of the studies analyzed in their review.11:07 - What is blood flow restriction training and how do you utilize it? 12:30 - Does blood flow restriction training increase strength and hypertrophy? 14:10 - Is blood flow restriction training safe? 15:21 - How much blood flow restriction is dangerous? 18:49 - When should we use blood flow restriction? 19:42 - How does blood flow restriction work and what makes it legitimate? 21:55 - How can you use blood flow restriction training after an injury? 30:26 - Is blood flow restriction training a good stand alone training method? 32:19 - Which areas of the body should you apply blood flow restriction?Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!Click here: https://www.muscleforlife.com/signup/