Huberman & Galpin: Unpacking their Six Part Guest Series

What happens when you get two Andys in the same room? A whole lotta actionable fitness advice.

So, I’ve been running and pumping iron while listening to six entire episodes of the Andrew Huberman and Dr. Andy Galpin podcast. And not just once—no, I’ve probably replayed those episodes 3 or 4 times. It’s a lot. Like, way too much. These two geniuses dropped more knowledge than you’d find in a Costco-sized encyclopedia set. And that’s why I’m here. To distill everything they said into a set of clear, actionable steps that you can actually follow—without feeling like you need a Ph.D. in Exercise Science. Here we go.

Part 1: Building Strength and Muscle with Dr. Andy Galpin

First up, you can’t just train muscles. You’ve got to train them to do stuff. Strength is how much weight you can lift, hypertrophy is how big your biceps get. And no, doing one doesn’t mean you automatically get the other. Want to catch yourself from a fall or look like a superhero when you pick up that dropped pencil? You need both.

• For Strength: Lift heavy—70% of your max or more. Stick to a 3-5 rep range, and keep rest intervals longer (like 3-5 minutes). Think bench presses, deadlifts, and squats.
• For Hypertrophy: Lift lighter, but do more reps (8-15). Keep your rest shorter—about 2 minutes, and go just shy of complete failure on those reps.
• Mix Protein and Carbs: Like peanut butter and jelly, protein and carbs work better together. Toss in exercise, and you’ve got a muscle-building power trio.
• Non-negotiables: Stick to a plan, progressively increase weights, and don’t forget why you started—no one looks good with regrets (or a weak bench press).

My distilled granular notes from the full episode below:

Key Concepts:

1. Understand Your Goal:
   • Clearly define whether your focus is on building strength, hypertrophy (muscle size), or a combination of both.
   • Strength training targets force production and mechanics (muscle firing sequence).
   • Hypertrophy targets muscle size without directly considering strength.
2. Design Your Training Program:
   • For Strength:
     • Focus on intensity as the primary driver.
     • Use heavier weights (≥ 70% of your one-rep max).
     • Ideal rep cadence: 3 seconds down (eccentric), 1-second pause, 1 second up (311).
     • Work in the 3-5 sets, 3-5 reps range, resting 3-5 minutes between sets.
   • For Hypertrophy:
     • Focus on volume as the primary driver.
     • Moderate weights with a higher rep range (6-15 reps per set).
     • Use a 312 cadence (3 seconds down, 1-second pause, 2 seconds up).
     • Aim for 10-20 sets per muscle group per week.
3. Protein Intake:
   • Basic rule: Protein is anabolic. Ingesting protein alone promotes muscle growth, even without exercise.
   • Combine protein with carbohydrates (fuel) and exercise to maximize muscle growth.
   • Aim for about 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight daily.
4. Progressive Overload is Non-Negotiable:
   • Gradually increase the weight or resistance over time to stimulate muscle adaptation.
   • Adjust intensity, reps, or volume to keep making progress.
   • Ensure adherence and consistency for long-term success.
5. Exercise Execution & Breathing Protocol:
   • For all strength exercises: Maintain breath hold during the lowering/eccentric part of the movement for stability.
   • Exhale during the concentric (lifting) portion.
   • Focus on form and ensure you’re activating the right muscle groups.
6. Program Structure:
   • Power Training: Use moderate loads (30-70% of 1RM) with high intent to move quickly.
   • Strength Training: Focus on heavier loads (≥70% 1RM).
   • Utilize the 3-5 concept: 3-5 days per week, 3-5 exercises, 3-5 reps per set, 3-5 sets.
   • Allow 3-5 minutes of rest between sets for full recovery.

Summary of Action Steps:

• Identify if your priority is strength or hypertrophy, and adjust your training approach accordingly.
• Include both protein and carbohydrates in your diet, with protein intake targeting 1 gram per pound of body weight.
• Structure your workouts around progressive overload with a balance between volume (for hypertrophy) and intensity (for strength).
• Follow proper breathing techniques and focus on good form for safe and effective training.

Part 2: Optimal Protocols to Build Strength & Grow Muscles

Now, once you get the hang of lifting, it’s all about balancing the need to go hard with life’s little surprises—like work, family, and Netflix marathons.

• Stick to the 3-5 Rule: For building strength, aim for 3-5 days a week, with 3-5 exercises, doing 3-5 reps per set. For hypertrophy, go for 10-25 working sets per muscle group per week.
• Short on Time? A 30-minute full-body workout is better than skipping it altogether. Trust me, it’s about consistency.
• Recovery: Every 6 weeks, take a de-load week. It’s like spring break for your muscles—just less tequila. Halve your volume, keep it chill, and get back to it the following week.

My distilled granular notes from the full episode below:

Key Concepts:

1. Program for Adaptation:
   • Strength Training: Emphasize intensity over volume.
     • Use lower reps with higher weight (e.g., 8 sets of 1-2 reps).
     • Focus on compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.
     • Allow longer rest periods (3-5 minutes) between sets.
   • Hypertrophy Training: Volume is key.
     • Aim for 10-25 working sets per muscle group per week.
     • Use a rep range of 6-15 per set, with 2 reps shy of failure.
     • Rest 1-2 minutes between sets for hypertrophy-focused workouts.
2. Balancing Volume and Intensity:
   • Hypertrophy Focus: Spend most of your time in the 8-15 rep range.
   • Strength Focus: Opt for lower reps (3-5) with higher weight.
   • Combine with iso training (e.g., static holds) to build muscle endurance and strength.
   • Use a 3-5 Framework for consistency:
     • 3-5 days per week.
     • 3-5 exercises per workout.
     • 3-5 sets of 3-5 reps for strength or higher for hypertrophy.
3. Flexible Training for Real Life:
   • Chaos Management: Life gets in the way, so plan for it.
     • Outline what you want to achieve, then adjust as life demands.
     • If time is short, focus on full-body movements to maximize efficiency.
     • A 30-minute full-body workout can still be effective if you’re consistent.
4. Adjusting for Fatigue & Recovery:
   • Aim for a de-load week after 6 weeks of intense training to avoid burnout.
   • Reduce volume or intensity during the de-load week to allow muscles to recover fully.
   • Listen to your body: if you’re constantly sore or struggling with adherence, reassess your volume and intensity.
5. Tips for Exercise Execution:
   • Movement Quality Matters: Focus on proper technique over increasing weight too quickly.
   • A poor execution of a good exercise won’t yield the desired results.
   • Prioritize complex movements (e.g., squats, deadlifts) early in the session when energy is highest.

Summary of Action Steps:

• For Strength: Focus on high weight and lower reps (3-5 range) with longer rest periods.
• For Hypertrophy: Aim for a higher volume, working up to 10-25 sets per muscle group per week.
• Adapt as Needed: Plan for life’s disruptions by designing shorter, efficient sessions when necessary.
• Include a De-load Week: After 6 weeks of training, reduce volume or intensity for a week to allow full recovery.
• Master Your Form: Emphasize technique, especially on complex movements, to prevent injury and ensure gains.

Part 3: How To Build Physical Endurance & Lose Fat

Now, don’t panic, but if you want to lose fat, you’ve got to burn more calories than you eat. Crazy, I know. But beyond that, here’s how to get your body to use fat like a snack dispenser.

Metabolic Flexibility: Teach your body to use carbs and fats like a buffet. You’ll be able to switch from burning carbs during intense sprints to using fat during steady-state cardio, like a pro.

Do Whatever Raises Your Heart Rate: Lifting, running, intervals—it’s all good. Just keep moving.

Combine Hypertrophy and Endurance: Aim for 6-30 reps to empty those glycogen stores, then do intervals where you max out your heart rate for 30-60 seconds and rest.

Short on Time? Sprinkle in “exercise snacks”—20-second bursts of anything intense every few hours. It’s like snacking, but less delicious.

My distilled granular notes from the full episode below:

Key Concepts:

1. The Basics of Fat Loss:
   • Consistency Over Method: Any exercise that raises your heart rate—lifting weights, intervals, steady-state cardio—can support fat loss.
   • Caloric Deficit is Key: Focus on maintaining a hypocaloric state (calories burned > calories consumed). The type of diet (low-carb, low-fat) matters less than the overall reduction in calories.
   • Fueling Workouts: Fasted training doesn’t inherently lead to better fat loss. Prioritize being properly fueled for performance.
2. Training for Fat Loss:
   • Combine Hypertrophy and Muscular Endurance:
     • Use a rep range of 6-30 reps per set to deplete muscle glycogen.
     • Incorporate intervals where you reach max heart rate, followed by 30-60 seconds of rest, then repeat.
   • Exercise Snacks: Implement short, intense bursts of exercise throughout the day (e.g., 20 seconds of sprints, burpees) for benefits like improved glycemic control and energy.
   • Focus on high-intensity intervals a few times per week, balanced with longer, steady-state cardio sessions.
3. Metabolic Flexibility:
   • Balance Carbs and Fats: Your body uses both carbohydrate and fat stores during exercise, depending on intensity.
   • High-intensity exercises burn more carbohydrates, while low-intensity activities rely more on fat as fuel.
   • Aim for metabolic flexibility—train your body to efficiently switch between using carbs and fats for different activities.
4. Endurance Training Protocols:
   • Anaerobic Capacity: Perform 5-6 minutes of all-out max heart rate intervals per week, broken into 20-90 second bursts with full recovery between efforts.
   • Aerobic Capacity: Include a 5-15 minute max-effort bout once per week (e.g., a fast run or bike ride).
   • Weekly Structure: Alternate between anaerobic intervals and longer-duration aerobic efforts to target different energy systems.
5. Practical Tips for Endurance:
   • Start each session with proper breathing—focus on nasal breathing for efficiency.
   • Practice endurance across all spectrums—don’t just stick to long steady-state sessions or short bursts.
   • Monitor your fatigue levels and adapt training intensity as needed.

Summary of Action Steps:

• For Fat Loss: Focus on a consistent caloric deficit and include a mix of resistance training, intervals, and steady-state cardio.
• Train Across Energy Systems: Incorporate both anaerobic intervals (20-90 seconds) and longer aerobic sessions (5-15 minutes).
• Implement Short Intense Bouts: Use “exercise snacks” throughout the day to boost energy and metabolism.
• Fuel Smartly: Train in a way that supports metabolic flexibility, balancing carbs and fats as energy sources.
• Prioritize Breathing & Mechanics: Nasal breathing can improve performance and help you sustain effort longer.

Part 4: Optimize Your Training Program For Fitness & Longevity

Training without a plan is like throwing darts blindfolded. Sure, you might hit the board occasionally, but it’s going to be a mess. So, have a plan.

Track Progress: Write down what you did, and aim to do a little more each week. It’s not rocket science, but it’s close.

Set SMART Goals: Make them Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive. No vague “I want to get stronger” here—think, “I want to lift my body weight by the end of the year.”

Balance Life’s Chaos: Divide your time between work, relationships, fitness, and recovery. If recovery is a low priority, you’re not going to make it.

Exercise Order: Do the hardest stuff first, when you’re fresh. If you’ve got squats and bicep curls, don’t leave squats until you’re exhausted.

My distilled granular notes from the full episode below:

Key Concepts:

1. Start with a Plan:
   • Even without specific goals like a marathon or competition, having a structured training plan leads to better results.
   • Define your destination (e.g., building strength, improving endurance) and create a roadmap to get there.
   • Use SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive. For example, aim for a 10% improvement in strength over 3 months.
2. Balance Life’s Constraints:
   • Energy Allocation: Divide your focus between four areas—business, relationships, fitness, and recovery.
   • Assign points to each area to reflect where your energy is going. For example, 4 points to business, 3 to fitness, 2 to relationships, and 1 to recovery.
   • Make sure recovery is at least half of your fitness allocation to support progress and prevent burnout.
3. Set Realistic Training Frequency:
   • Choose how many days per week and how long you can realistically train based on your schedule.
   • Tailor your training volume to fit into the time you have, ensuring consistency over occasional long sessions.
4. Exercise Selection and Order:
   • Prioritize Compound Movements: Focus on exercises that use multiple muscle groups and movement patterns.
   • Do What Matters Most First: Start your session with the most challenging or important exercise.
   • Example: If improving leg strength is a priority, start with squats at the beginning of your workout when energy is highest.
5. Approach to Progressive Overload:
   • Increase load or intensity over a 6-week cycle, then take a de-load week to allow the body to recover.
   • During the de-load, reduce volume or intensity by about 50% to refresh your body for the next training cycle.
   • Monitor progress through a loose tracking system like a notebook to see improvements over time.
6. Adapt as Needed (Chaos Management):
   • Life is unpredictable, so plan for it. Identify possible disruptions to your routine and adapt your plan to fit.
   • Example: If you know certain days are busy, plan a shorter, easier workout and save tougher sessions for lighter days.

Summary of Action Steps:

• Plan with Purpose: Define your fitness goals and use SMART criteria to make them specific and achievable.
• Distribute Energy Wisely: Allocate time and energy between business, relationships, fitness, and recovery to ensure a balanced lifestyle.
• Set Realistic Workout Schedules: Align your training volume with your weekly availability to maintain consistency.
• Focus on Key Exercises: Prioritize compound movements and do the most important exercises first when energy is high.
• Progress Gradually: Use 6-week cycles of increasing intensity, followed by a de-load week for optimal recovery.
• Plan for Real Life: Adapt your training to accommodate life’s unpredictability and stay on track with your fitness journey.

Part 5: Maximize Recovery To Achieve Fitness & Performance Goals

Listen, you’re not going to get anywhere if you’re perpetually sore, sleep-deprived, and hobbling around like you just fought a bear. Recovery is where the magic happens.

Monitor Your HRV: If it’s trending down for more than a week, take it easy for a bit. It’s like reading your body’s secret language, but cooler.

Use Light Movement for Soreness: Sore muscles love a gentle walk or a light yoga session. Plus, it gives you an excuse to take a break.

Manage Your Training Levels: Aim for that sweet spot called “functional overreaching”—pushing yourself just past your limit before backing off.

Cold Showers Aren’t Always the Answer: Use ice baths only when absolutely necessary (like when you’re so sore that stairs feel like Everest). Otherwise, let your body do its thing.

My distilled granular notes from the full episode below:

Key Concepts:

1. Recovery Is Essential:
   • Recovery Drives Progress: Adaptation occurs during recovery, not during the workout itself. To see results, your recovery must outpace the stress of training.
   • Focus on returning to baseline quickly after intense workouts to allow the body to adapt and progress.
   • Monitor changes over time rather than day-to-day variations to understand recovery trends and avoid overreactions.
2. Understanding Muscle Soreness:
   • Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Typically sets in 24-48 hours after exercise due to immune response and neural signaling, not necessarily muscle damage.
   • Use light movement to alleviate soreness—walking or low-intensity activities can help.
   • Soreness after aerobic exercises is usually less because they involve less mechanical tension on muscles.
3. Levels of Training & Recovery:
   • Acute Overload: Short-term fatigue that recovers within minutes to days.
   • Functional Overreaching: Pushing just beyond your current limits to improve performance; requires a de-load week to recover.
   • Nonfunctional Overreaching: Training too hard for too long without proper recovery, leading to stagnation; takes weeks to recover.
   • Overtraining: Extreme fatigue with a decline in performance, taking months to fully recover.
4. Effective Recovery Strategies:
   • Downregulation Breathing: Use breathing techniques like box breathing (5-second inhale, 5-second hold, 5-second exhale, 5-second hold) for 3-10 minutes post-workout.
   • Use Compression and Massage: Compression garments and massage tools can help reduce soreness and improve blood flow.
   • Strategic Cold Exposure: Use cold plunges only when soreness is extreme and prevents movement; it can blunt muscle growth if used immediately after training.
   • Active Recovery: Incorporate low-intensity activities like walking, swimming, or yoga on rest days to keep the blood flowing.
5. Tracking Recovery Metrics:
   • Heart Rate Variability (HRV): A useful tool for gauging recovery; higher HRV indicates better recovery.
   • Track your HRV consistently under the same conditions and focus on trends rather than daily fluctuations.
   • Adjust your training volume or intensity if HRV trends downward for 7 consecutive days.
6. Supplements for Recovery:
   • Foundational Supplements: Omega-3s (2-5g/day), magnesium, vitamin D, and tart cherry juice can aid in reducing inflammation and muscle soreness.
   • Avoid taking anti-inflammatory supplements immediately after training; allow your body to go through its natural inflammatory response to stimulate adaptation.
   • Consider supplements like ashwagandha or rhodiola for managing cortisol and reducing perceived exertion.

Summary of Action Steps:

• Prioritize Recovery: Remember, stress plus recovery equals adaptation. A strong recovery plan is critical for seeing long-term results.
• Monitor Soreness & Recovery Levels: Use light activity to alleviate DOMS and recognize the signs of overreaching before they turn into overtraining.
• Use Effective Recovery Tools: Include downregulation breathing, massage, and occasional cold exposure as part of your recovery routine.
• Track HRV for Insight: Use HRV tracking to assess how well your body is recovering and adjust your training plan accordingly.
• Choose Supplements Wisely: Focus on foundational support and avoid blunting the natural recovery process with unnecessary anti-inflammatory supplements.

Part 6: Optimal Nutrition & Supplementation For Fitness

Finally, let’s talk about nutrition. Because lifting all that iron means nothing if you’re fueling your body with, well, garbage.

Sleep Like It’s Your Job: Optimize your sleep environment, keep those pets off the bed, and resist checking your phone’s sleep score at 2 a.m. Good sleep equals good recovery.

Hydrate or Die-drate: Aim for ½ ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. Use the “Galpin Equation” during exercise: every 15 minutes, consume (in ounces) your body weight (in pounds) divided by 30.

Focus on Protein: 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight, and match your carbs to your training needs. Pre-fuel before tough workouts—no one wants to bonk halfway through leg day.

Use Supplements Wisely: Creatine, Omega-3s, and magnesium are solid choices for most people. And, caffeine—because who doesn’t need a little boost before tackling burpees?

My distilled granular notes from the full episode below:

Key Concepts:

1. Hydration Fundamentals:
   • Daily Water Intake: Aim for about ½ ounce of water per pound of body weight daily as a baseline.
   • Pre-Exercise Hydration: Ensure you are well-hydrated before workouts to maintain performance—consume ½ ounce of water per pound of body weight before exercising.
   • During Exercise: Use the “Galpin Equation” for hydration during activity: every 15 minutes, consume (in ounces) your body weight (in pounds) divided by 30.
   • Post-Exercise Hydration: Replace 125% of the fluid lost during exercise (e.g., if you lose 1 pound of water, drink 20 ounces to replenish).
   • Electrolyte Balance: Include sodium, potassium, and magnesium with your fluids to maintain proper muscle and nerve function. Consider adding a pinch of salt to coconut water for a natural electrolyte mix.
2. Optimize Nutrient Intake:
   • Protein and Carbs for Performance: Focus on consuming 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight daily. Adjust carbohydrate intake based on activity level, aiming for about 1/2 gram per pound of body weight around high-intensity or endurance training.
   • Macronutrient Timing: Total daily intake matters more than timing, but ensure you are fueled before intense sessions to avoid energy crashes.
   • Carb Loading for Endurance: Increase carb intake 3-4 days before long-duration events for better performance.
3. Effective Supplementation:
   • Foundational Supplements:
     • Creatine Monohydrate: 5 grams daily for enhanced muscle growth, recovery, and cognitive function.
     • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: 2-5 grams per day (1:1 ratio of EPA to DHA) to reduce inflammation.
     • Magnesium & Vitamin D: Support muscle function and recovery.
   • Performance Boosters:
     • Caffeine: 1-3 mg per kg of body weight 30 minutes before exercise for enhanced endurance.
     • Beetroot Juice: Use as a non-caffeine option to boost performance, especially for evening workouts.
   • Strategic Use of Anti-Inflammatory Supplements:
     • Avoid taking supplements like curcumin or fish oil immediately after workouts, as they can blunt the natural inflammatory response needed for muscle growth.
     • Consider these supplements later in the day to manage overall inflammation and aid in recovery.
4. Guidelines for Hydration and Electrolytes:
   • Avoid Overhydration: Chugging large amounts of water can dilute your system and cause imbalances (e.g., hyponatremia). Drink slowly and steadily.
   • Assess Hydration Needs: Use the WUT method—Weight (monitor fluctuations), Urine (check color and volume), and Thirst—to gauge hydration status throughout the day.
   • Watch for Signs of Dehydration: Brain fog, GI distress, and increased heart rate can be indicators of poor hydration.
5. Behavioral Tools for Better Sleep:
   • Sleep Environment: Keep pets out of the bedroom, monitor temperature, and use blackout curtains to improve sleep quality.
   • Manage Anxiety Before Bed: If a task is keeping you awake, consider getting up to quickly handle it, but don’t make it a habit.
   • Supplements for Sleep: Use magnesium or tart cherry juice to aid in sleep, but don’t rely solely on supplements—address environmental factors first.

Summary of Action Steps:

• Hydrate Wisely: Aim for ½ ounce of water per pound of body weight daily, and adjust intake around workouts using the Galpin Equation. Include electrolytes for optimal muscle and nerve function.
• Fuel Your Workouts: Focus on hitting daily protein and carbohydrate goals rather than stressing over precise timing. Ensure you are properly fueled before high-intensity sessions.
• Choose Key Supplements: Use creatine, omega-3s, and magnesium as your foundation, adding caffeine or beetroot juice for performance as needed.
• Recover Smartly: Avoid taking anti-inflammatory supplements immediately after training; allow your body’s natural response to take place for better adaptation.
• Improve Sleep Quality: Prioritize optimizing your sleep environment and managing pre-bedtime stress before turning to sleep supplements.

Wrapping It Up: Less Confusion, More Action

And there you have it—a roadmap to getting fit, losing fat, and building strength, all without needing to re-listen to 12 hours of science talk. Huberman and Galpin might have the PhDs, but now you’ve got the game plan. Go forth, lift heavy, run fast, recover smart, and don’t forget to hydrate. Your future, stronger self will thank you.

If you’re interested in optimizing not just your workouts but your recovery, don’t miss my other deep dive into Andrew Huberman’s conversation with Dr. Matthew Walker. It’s packed with actionable tips on mastering the science of sleep, so you can level up your rest and recovery just like your training. From establishing a consistent sleep schedule to creating the perfect bedroom environment, this guide has everything you need to unlock better sleep. Check it out here to start sleeping like a pro!