In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, Derek and I tackle a loaded Q&A covering everything from avoiding breaking down during meet prep to optimizing caffeine intake on meet day. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Questions on the show:

1. Hey Kyle, can you and Derek cover gaining strength without burning yourself out and stalling progress? I’ve done one meet, and I’m roughly four weeks out from my next. Both times, I’ve started strong, making great strength gains, and then 8ish weeks into meet prep, all progress stalls, and I just feel physically exhausted. What am I doing wrong?
2. This was a long question. He provided some background and his workout routine, but the gist is that he is following an upper/lower-power-building routine and is experiencing lower back pain. Since this is a common issue, let’s just talk about ways to mitigate lower back pain when training for strength.
3. Hey guys, would there ever be a good reason to take a competition lift completely out of training for a while? My squat has been stuck at the same weight forever, and I’m wondering if I’d benefit from replacing it with variations for a couple of months.
4. If someone can only train three days a week, how would you set up a powerlifting program to maximize progress? Is there a specific split that works best?
5. I always feel like I lose tightness in the hole when I squat heavy. Are there any specific cues or drills you recommend to fix this? I’ve tried slowing down my descent, but it doesn’t seem to help much.
6. I lift first thing in the morning, and if I don’t eat, I feel weak, but if I do eat, I feel sluggish. What’s the best pre-workout meal or drink that won’t slow me down?
7. When should a powerlifter go through a hypertrophy block? Is it something that should only be done in the offseason, or do you think there’s value in keeping some hypertrophy work year-round, even close to a meet?
8.  If someone pulls conventional and sumo about the same weight, is there a reason to specialize in one? Or would training both be more beneficial in the long run?
9. On meet day, is caffeine timing more important than total intake? Should I be spreading out smaller doses throughout the day, or is it better to take a big hit of caffeine before each lift?
10. Imagine you both compete at the same meet at the end of the year in your preferred weight class. How would each of you structure the training and nutrition to coach each other into the meet?

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Connect with Kyle:

KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com

http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/

Connect with Derek:

@DerekCharlebois

https://www.prbreaker.com/

Programs:

Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0

Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0

Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle

Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements:

DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, I break down everything you need to know for your first powerlifting meet. From deciding to compete and choosing the right meet and federation to understanding the rules, I’ve got you covered. If you're debating signing up for your first competition, this episode will set you on the right path. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Sign up for the newsletter:

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Hire Kyle as your coach:

http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/

Connect with Kyle:

KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com

http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/

Programs:

Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0

Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0

Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle

Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements:

DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

Although the stereotype has changed, quality nutrition is probably the last thing you associate with powerlifting. For decades, the image of a 300-pound overweight behemoth was the face and body of the sport. Bodybuilders used to even joke during their offseason that they might as well get fat and become powerlifters.

However, powerlifting has weight classes, which makes nutrition uniquely important. It’s hard to be competitive at a high level if you have a lot of extra body fat. Look at the best powerlifters in the sport today - John Haack, Russel Orhii, Taylor Atwood, they are all jacked. 

To maximize your potential on the platform, you want to carry as much lean body mass as possible while staying within the weight-class parameters. The strongest athlete isn’t always the most muscular one, but having more muscle mass is going to equal a stronger version of you. 

So, nutrition is a great place to start if you want to improve your powerlifting game. The trouble is, what does that even mean? In this podcast, we cover what eating for strength is all about. Sit back, relax, and enjoy. 

Sign up for the newsletter:

https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Hire Kyle as your coach:

http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/

Connect with Kyle:

KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com

http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/

Connect with Derek:

@DerekCharlebois

https://www.prbreaker.com/

Programs:

Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0

Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0

Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle

Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements:

DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, Derek and I discuss the fundamentals of powerlifting technique—how to fine-tune your squat, bench, and deadlift for maximum strength, efficiency, and longevity. We break down common mistakes lifters make, the key technical cues that can make or break your performance, and, above all else, the importance of proper bracing. Sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Sign up for the newsletter:

https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Hire Kyle as your coach:

http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/

Connect with Kyle:

KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com

http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/

Connect with Derek:

@DerekCharlebois

https://www.prbreaker.com/

Programs:

Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0

Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0

Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle

Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements:

DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, Derek and I discuss how to get strong on the squat, bench press, and deadlift. We cover what powerlifting is, popular training splits, how often you should hit each lift, and the key differences between powerlifting and bodybuilding training. We also dive into common mistakes lifters make, what gear to buy, and the mindset to get strong. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Sign up for the newsletter:

https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Hire Kyle as your coach:

http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/

Connect with Kyle:

KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com

http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/

Connect with Derek:

@DerekCharlebois

https://www.prbreaker.com/

Programs:

Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0

Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0

Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle

Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements:

DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode, I talk about the 8 worst fat loss mistakes to avoid in 2025. Starting a fat-loss journey can be both exhilarating and daunting. There is just no way around it. Fat loss is hard. With a plethora of information available, getting lost in a maze of conflicting advice is easy. But fear not. I've distilled my wisdom and coaching experience into a comprehensive guide to help you avoid the most detrimental mistakes. From misconceptions about nutrition to flawed cardio and sleep routines, this podcast covers the eight worst fat loss mistakes you must avoid. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Sign up for the newsletter:

https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Hire Kyle as your coach:

http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/

Connect with Kyle:

KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com

http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/

Programs:

Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0

Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0

Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle

Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements:

DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT