Loading video...

Video Failed to Load

Go Home

Strength vs. hypertrophy explained: - Strength = force production; hypertrophy = increase in muscle size, with no direct requirement for added function - Overlap is high for beginners and intermediate trainees, but the two adaptations diverge significantly at advanced levels - Powerlifters vs. bodybuilders: "The powerlifters will be significantly...

HLPClips's profile picture

Huberman Lab Clips

18,385 subscribers

43,146 views • 3 days ago •via X (Twitter)

Science & TechnologyHealth & Wellness
LIVE

Anya Rossi• Live Now

Private livecam show

0 Comments

No comments available

Comments from the original post will appear here

Related Videos

Do you need to train heavy to build muscle? 💪 For years the mantra was you need to go heavy to build muscle. Or you needed to go heavy to stimulate large type II fast twitch fibers but go light for more reps to stimulate smaller type I fibers. But new research has challenged that dogma. Several meta-analysis have shown similar muscle growth with low loads vs high loads when set number is matched & proximity to failure is similar (PMIDs: 28834797, 35015560, 33312275, & 33433148). While muscle hypertrophy was not different between high and low load training, strength increased significantly more with high load training in all these meta-analysis As far as targeting fiber types, it becomes kind of irrelevant when you take an exercise close to failure because fiber types tend to be recruited in order from smallest to largest. So with high load training, small & large fibers get recruited quickly but you don’t do many reps. With low load training, you initially recruit smaller fibers but as the muscle fatigues it is forced to recruit the larger fibers as the exercise is taken close to failure. The net effect is that taking sets close to failure with high or low loads produces a lot of muscle activation and similar hypetrophy The take home is, do what you enjoy if muscle growth is the goal. Just make sure you train HARD & go close to failure (within a few reps) & do enough total sets. But if strength is a priority you’ll need to train heavy & be careful going to failure as it can impair strength gains From my first conversation with Andrew D. Huberman, Ph.D.
1:26

Do you need to train heavy to build muscle? 💪 For years the mantra was you need to go heavy to build muscle. Or you needed to go heavy to stimulate large type II fast twitch fibers but go light for more reps to stimulate smaller type I fibers. But new research has challenged that dogma. Several meta-analysis have shown similar muscle growth with low loads vs high loads when set number is matched & proximity to failure is similar (PMIDs: 28834797, 35015560, 33312275, & 33433148). While muscle hypertrophy was not different between high and low load training, strength increased significantly more with high load training in all these meta-analysis As far as targeting fiber types, it becomes kind of irrelevant when you take an exercise close to failure because fiber types tend to be recruited in order from smallest to largest. So with high load training, small & large fibers get recruited quickly but you don’t do many reps. With low load training, you initially recruit smaller fibers but as the muscle fatigues it is forced to recruit the larger fibers as the exercise is taken close to failure. The net effect is that taking sets close to failure with high or low loads produces a lot of muscle activation and similar hypetrophy The take home is, do what you enjoy if muscle growth is the goal. Just make sure you train HARD & go close to failure (within a few reps) & do enough total sets. But if strength is a priority you’ll need to train heavy & be careful going to failure as it can impair strength gains From my first conversation with Andrew D. Huberman, Ph.D.

Layne Norton, PhD

53,287 views • 1 year ago

Healing have been insane lately with high banana intake, due to the anti-oxidants and carb (high CO2 production) combination. I can train basically every day without prolonged joint and muscle soreness. Training is all nice and well if you can actually do and get better at your passion/sport. And you can only progress as fast as you can heal. The power and strength is there, just need to work on the skill level to connect this sequence I did today.
0:26

Healing have been insane lately with high banana intake, due to the anti-oxidants and carb (high CO2 production) combination. I can train basically every day without prolonged joint and muscle soreness. Training is all nice and well if you can actually do and get better at your passion/sport. And you can only progress as fast as you can heal. The power and strength is there, just need to work on the skill level to connect this sequence I did today.

Hans Amato

17,429 views • 9 months ago

The slow and control crowd are ignoring simple concepts and principles of motor unit recruitment. Control is important, yes. But you don’t have to move slow to have control, ask a bull rider. Fast and controlled is what you want in the weight room The effort is what is going to recruit those high threshold motor units and the bigger faster stronger type II muscle fibers Slow is low recruitment and high fatigue. Seems like everyone ignores logic on this topic. If you think you’ve hit your “genetic potential” you probably just need a fresh perspective on training. Start with this idea, that speed and the effort to move loads fast will always yield more motor recruitment and ultimately more strength and hypertrophy
0:22

The slow and control crowd are ignoring simple concepts and principles of motor unit recruitment. Control is important, yes. But you don’t have to move slow to have control, ask a bull rider. Fast and controlled is what you want in the weight room The effort is what is going to recruit those high threshold motor units and the bigger faster stronger type II muscle fibers Slow is low recruitment and high fatigue. Seems like everyone ignores logic on this topic. If you think you’ve hit your “genetic potential” you probably just need a fresh perspective on training. Start with this idea, that speed and the effort to move loads fast will always yield more motor recruitment and ultimately more strength and hypertrophy

Official Strength Debates

52,205 views • 4 months ago

Strength should not be judged by how loud you are, but on the results you get for the American people. I would appreciate your vote. Together we will win in November and build a stronger Ohio and a safer, more prosperous America.
1:26

Strength should not be judged by how loud you are, but on the results you get for the American people. I would appreciate your vote. Together we will win in November and build a stronger Ohio and a safer, more prosperous America.

Matt Dolan

20,363 views • 2 years ago

Muscle strength is arguably one of the most important predictors of healthspan and longevity—far more than muscle mass alone. Low muscle strength is associated with a 50% higher risk of early death. The good news is that strength can be regained at any age through resistance training, even in your 90s. One study showed that 90-year-old participants increased their strength by 174%, walking speed by 48%, and thigh muscle mass by 9% after just 8 weeks of high-intensity resistance training (PMID: 2342214). This highlights that age-related strength loss is primarily a reversible decline in muscle quality—not just lost muscle mass. But there’s another key piece: protein. For older adults, consuming about 1.6g/kg of body weight in protein daily has been shown to maximize gains in both muscle strength and mass. Combining resistance training with adequate protein intake is a game-changer for improving biological resilience, mobility, and overall quality of life as we age. I cover all this and more in Episode 97: The Science of Protein. It’s a must-watch for anyone looking to improve their health or help loved ones do the same. Watch Episode 97 now:
0:32

Muscle strength is arguably one of the most important predictors of healthspan and longevity—far more than muscle mass alone. Low muscle strength is associated with a 50% higher risk of early death. The good news is that strength can be regained at any age through resistance training, even in your 90s. One study showed that 90-year-old participants increased their strength by 174%, walking speed by 48%, and thigh muscle mass by 9% after just 8 weeks of high-intensity resistance training (PMID: 2342214). This highlights that age-related strength loss is primarily a reversible decline in muscle quality—not just lost muscle mass. But there’s another key piece: protein. For older adults, consuming about 1.6g/kg of body weight in protein daily has been shown to maximize gains in both muscle strength and mass. Combining resistance training with adequate protein intake is a game-changer for improving biological resilience, mobility, and overall quality of life as we age. I cover all this and more in Episode 97: The Science of Protein. It’s a must-watch for anyone looking to improve their health or help loved ones do the same. Watch Episode 97 now:

Dr. Rhonda Patrick

83,710 views • 1 year ago

On average, most people lose 1% of their muscle mass per year and 3% of their strength per year after age 50. It's even worse if you're inactive—strength drops by 4% annually in people who don't engage in resistance exercise! Strength training and a high protein intake can slow or mitigate age-related declines in muscle, and this is important. More muscle enhances metabolism, improves insulin sensitivity, and protects against diabetes. But muscle also safeguards against falls and fractures, which can be a literal death sentence for older adults— up to 58% of older adults who experience a hip fracture die within 12 months of the injury. The evidence is clear: more muscle lowers mortality risk, while less muscle and a higher fat mass increases it. And while resistance exercise is the most important factor for building and maintaining muscle, optimizing protein intake is a proven strategy to increase healthspan at every age. Discover the optimal protein intake tailored to your age, physical activity, and goals in my new episode, The Science of Protein (Episode 97), now available on all major platforms. Watch now:
1:26

On average, most people lose 1% of their muscle mass per year and 3% of their strength per year after age 50. It's even worse if you're inactive—strength drops by 4% annually in people who don't engage in resistance exercise! Strength training and a high protein intake can slow or mitigate age-related declines in muscle, and this is important. More muscle enhances metabolism, improves insulin sensitivity, and protects against diabetes. But muscle also safeguards against falls and fractures, which can be a literal death sentence for older adults— up to 58% of older adults who experience a hip fracture die within 12 months of the injury. The evidence is clear: more muscle lowers mortality risk, while less muscle and a higher fat mass increases it. And while resistance exercise is the most important factor for building and maintaining muscle, optimizing protein intake is a proven strategy to increase healthspan at every age. Discover the optimal protein intake tailored to your age, physical activity, and goals in my new episode, The Science of Protein (Episode 97), now available on all major platforms. Watch now:

Dr. Rhonda Patrick

124,040 views • 1 year ago

Nice abs and a strong core are pretty high on most people's wish list. But when it comes to training the core, we somehow throw out the fundamental, science-based exercise principles that govern skeletal muscle exercise adaptations. Think about it. If you wanted bigger quads and I told you we were only doing wall squats, you'd look at me like I was crazy. That's exactly what’s happening with your core when all you’re doing is planks and 3 sets of crunches. The size principle matters here. If you're never generating high levels of force, large portions of your motor units never get recruited — and what doesn't get recruited doesn't get stronger. Fatigue and burning are not the same as force production.
1:02

Nice abs and a strong core are pretty high on most people's wish list. But when it comes to training the core, we somehow throw out the fundamental, science-based exercise principles that govern skeletal muscle exercise adaptations. Think about it. If you wanted bigger quads and I told you we were only doing wall squats, you'd look at me like I was crazy. That's exactly what’s happening with your core when all you’re doing is planks and 3 sets of crunches. The size principle matters here. If you're never generating high levels of force, large portions of your motor units never get recruited — and what doesn't get recruited doesn't get stronger. Fatigue and burning are not the same as force production.

Andy Galpin, PhD

254,646 views • 4 months ago

Stronger thighs = longer life? Steven Kotler drops this mind-blower: "The single most important thing you can do... leg strength. Thigh muscle mass inversely correlates with mortality." Vishen Lakhiani: "Leg strength correlates with mortality?" Kotler: "No—inversely correlates." Science nugget: Multiple studies back it—higher quad/knee extension strength predicts lower all-cause mortality (e.g., 14% reduced risk per meta-analysis of millions; stronger legs tie to better brain health, mobility, metabolic function, and independence in aging). Legs are your body's biggest muscle engine—neglect them, and the stats show up. Crazy how the foundation of longevity might be... leg day. Do you prioritize legs in training? Ever notice strength gains there changing how you feel/age? Or skipping them and regretting it? Your take 👇
0:27

Stronger thighs = longer life? Steven Kotler drops this mind-blower: "The single most important thing you can do... leg strength. Thigh muscle mass inversely correlates with mortality." Vishen Lakhiani: "Leg strength correlates with mortality?" Kotler: "No—inversely correlates." Science nugget: Multiple studies back it—higher quad/knee extension strength predicts lower all-cause mortality (e.g., 14% reduced risk per meta-analysis of millions; stronger legs tie to better brain health, mobility, metabolic function, and independence in aging). Legs are your body's biggest muscle engine—neglect them, and the stats show up. Crazy how the foundation of longevity might be... leg day. Do you prioritize legs in training? Ever notice strength gains there changing how you feel/age? Or skipping them and regretting it? Your take 👇

Camus

43,524 views • 4 months ago

Taking an ice bath after a workout is highly effective for relieving fatigue and muscle soreness. The cold water constricts blood vessels, reducing excessive inflammation and swelling in the muscles and dramatically alleviating subjective pain. If you want to recover quickly from muscle soreness and fatigue, perhaps due to consecutive matches or wanting to avoid affecting your work the next day, it might be worth trying. With that much muscle, he must be experiencing considerable muscle fatigue. It looks very refreshing. (Note: However, this method has a double-edged sword; it can be counterproductive for those aiming to increase muscle size (hypertrophy).) 🏋️‍♂️🤼‍♂️⛹️‍♂️🤾‍♂️💪😆☠️▶️😅💦▶️🛁🧊🥶▶️😇✨
1:07

Taking an ice bath after a workout is highly effective for relieving fatigue and muscle soreness. The cold water constricts blood vessels, reducing excessive inflammation and swelling in the muscles and dramatically alleviating subjective pain. If you want to recover quickly from muscle soreness and fatigue, perhaps due to consecutive matches or wanting to avoid affecting your work the next day, it might be worth trying. With that much muscle, he must be experiencing considerable muscle fatigue. It looks very refreshing. (Note: However, this method has a double-edged sword; it can be counterproductive for those aiming to increase muscle size (hypertrophy).) 🏋️‍♂️🤼‍♂️⛹️‍♂️🤾‍♂️💪😆☠️▶️😅💦▶️🛁🧊🥶▶️😇✨

knockout☆

174,842 views • 2 months ago

Resistance training can have long-term benefits that last years. Even if you later quit. Just one year of high-intensity resistance training can preserve leg strength in older adults for three years after stopping—even as muscle mass declines. This surprising resilience suggests that the benefits of strength training extend far beyond muscle size, creating lasting neuromuscular adaptations that keep you strong long after the workouts end. In contrast, those who engaged in moderate-intensity training (body weight) or did not exercise experienced significant losses in both strength and functionality within the three years after training stopped. This suggests that resistance training could be crucial for maintaining muscular functionality later in life, perhaps due to lasting increases in neuromuscular components like acetylcholine receptors — an idea sometimes referred to as “muscle memory.” Dr. Layne Norton (Layne Norton, PhD) dives deep into these surprising findings in episode 94 of the FoundMyFitness podcast. To get the full breakdown, make sure to watch the full episode:
1:20

Resistance training can have long-term benefits that last years. Even if you later quit. Just one year of high-intensity resistance training can preserve leg strength in older adults for three years after stopping—even as muscle mass declines. This surprising resilience suggests that the benefits of strength training extend far beyond muscle size, creating lasting neuromuscular adaptations that keep you strong long after the workouts end. In contrast, those who engaged in moderate-intensity training (body weight) or did not exercise experienced significant losses in both strength and functionality within the three years after training stopped. This suggests that resistance training could be crucial for maintaining muscular functionality later in life, perhaps due to lasting increases in neuromuscular components like acetylcholine receptors — an idea sometimes referred to as “muscle memory.” Dr. Layne Norton (Layne Norton, PhD) dives deep into these surprising findings in episode 94 of the FoundMyFitness podcast. To get the full breakdown, make sure to watch the full episode:

Dr. Rhonda Patrick

184,115 views • 1 year ago

Muscle loss with age is common, but much of that decline is driven by inactivity, not aging alone. On average, we reach peak muscle mass somewhere between 20 and 30, then lose about 8% per decade after that. By the time many adults reach their 70s and 80s, they may have only 60–80% of the muscle mass they had at 30. A big reason why is anabolic resistance. As we get older, muscle becomes less responsive to amino acids, one of the key signals for building and maintaining muscle. This is where resistance training becomes non-negotiable. It's one of the main signals that tells muscle to grow. And just as importantly, it helps re-sensitize muscle to amino acids, so the body responds to protein more like it did when you were younger.
1:46

Muscle loss with age is common, but much of that decline is driven by inactivity, not aging alone. On average, we reach peak muscle mass somewhere between 20 and 30, then lose about 8% per decade after that. By the time many adults reach their 70s and 80s, they may have only 60–80% of the muscle mass they had at 30. A big reason why is anabolic resistance. As we get older, muscle becomes less responsive to amino acids, one of the key signals for building and maintaining muscle. This is where resistance training becomes non-negotiable. It's one of the main signals that tells muscle to grow. And just as importantly, it helps re-sensitize muscle to amino acids, so the body responds to protein more like it did when you were younger.

Dr. Rhonda Patrick

261,721 views • 3 months ago

Up to 30% of the weight lost while dieting can come from lean muscle mass—but the right training and nutrition can help you preserve muscle, which is key for metabolic health and reducing the risk of sarcopenia. You can lose fat and gain muscle at the same time—a process called body recomposition—if you train and eat strategically. The most important factor is resistance training. Lifting heavy 2–3 times per week is essential for maintaining and building muscle while losing fat. Without it, muscle mass inevitably declines. Nutrition also plays a major role. Eating in a slight calorie deficit—around 10–20% below maintenance—allows for steady fat loss without sacrificing muscle, energy levels, or training performance. Protein intake is another key priority. Research shows that consuming 1.8 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day is optimal for muscle retention and growth during a calorie deficit, and going even higher may provide additional benefits. Beyond training and nutrition, recovery is just as crucial. Adequate sleep, stress management, and tracking progress help ensure you’re making real, sustainable changes. Get this right and you have a powerful strategy to build muscle and lose fat. If you want to learn more about optimizing body recomposition, improving VO2 max, and enhancing brain health, tune into the latest episode of the FoundMyFitness podcast, where and I break it all down with insights from top experts. Link to the full episode on YouTube:
3:56

Up to 30% of the weight lost while dieting can come from lean muscle mass—but the right training and nutrition can help you preserve muscle, which is key for metabolic health and reducing the risk of sarcopenia. You can lose fat and gain muscle at the same time—a process called body recomposition—if you train and eat strategically. The most important factor is resistance training. Lifting heavy 2–3 times per week is essential for maintaining and building muscle while losing fat. Without it, muscle mass inevitably declines. Nutrition also plays a major role. Eating in a slight calorie deficit—around 10–20% below maintenance—allows for steady fat loss without sacrificing muscle, energy levels, or training performance. Protein intake is another key priority. Research shows that consuming 1.8 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day is optimal for muscle retention and growth during a calorie deficit, and going even higher may provide additional benefits. Beyond training and nutrition, recovery is just as crucial. Adequate sleep, stress management, and tracking progress help ensure you’re making real, sustainable changes. Get this right and you have a powerful strategy to build muscle and lose fat. If you want to learn more about optimizing body recomposition, improving VO2 max, and enhancing brain health, tune into the latest episode of the FoundMyFitness podcast, where and I break it all down with insights from top experts. Link to the full episode on YouTube:

Dr. Rhonda Patrick

120,402 views • 1 year ago

Neural drive is the intensity of the signal sent from the CNS to muscles, dictating recruitment of muscle fibre and the force produced. It represents the neuromuscular ability to increase muscle tension, power, and speed It deteriorates with age. Older adults cannot "turn up the volume" of the neural signal as high as younger people. We can slow the decline via Maximal strength training and Power (high velocity) training. You want both. Heavy RT alone is not sufficient. These are 2 simple examples of high intensity movements. Whether a sprinter or someone not wanting to move increasingly slowly as they age, employ them 🦥 or 🤸? #AGEility
0:26

Neural drive is the intensity of the signal sent from the CNS to muscles, dictating recruitment of muscle fibre and the force produced. It represents the neuromuscular ability to increase muscle tension, power, and speed It deteriorates with age. Older adults cannot "turn up the volume" of the neural signal as high as younger people. We can slow the decline via Maximal strength training and Power (high velocity) training. You want both. Heavy RT alone is not sufficient. These are 2 simple examples of high intensity movements. Whether a sprinter or someone not wanting to move increasingly slowly as they age, employ them 🦥 or 🤸? #AGEility

Rowan

24,290 views • 5 months ago

Power is generated by a transition from length to strength and vice versa. The lats are the largest muscle of the upper body, connecting the shoulder to the hips, and the driver of the spinal engine. You want to improve this capacity by building a stronger coil, priming rotational potential by developing a more intense contraction on the short side, and a greater stretch on the long side. Maximal tension is the name of the game
1:14

Power is generated by a transition from length to strength and vice versa. The lats are the largest muscle of the upper body, connecting the shoulder to the hips, and the driver of the spinal engine. You want to improve this capacity by building a stronger coil, priming rotational potential by developing a more intense contraction on the short side, and a greater stretch on the long side. Maximal tension is the name of the game

Josh Rainer

25,456 views • 4 months ago

Push-ups get dismissed as “too easy” because most people never load them properly. If you’re doing sets of 30–50 reps, you’re not building as much strength or muscle as you think. Progression matters. Here’s how I scale the load on push-ups without machines or a weighted vest: • Start with standard push-ups • Elevate the feet to shift more load to the upper body • Add bands to increase resistance • Use rings to increase range of motion I didn't show it, but you can also elevate you feet while doing the ring push-ups to add more load as a 5th progression. Every step increases mechanical tension—which is the real driver of muscle growth. Stop repping out on push-ups. Start adding load...and enjoy the growth.
0:35

Push-ups get dismissed as “too easy” because most people never load them properly. If you’re doing sets of 30–50 reps, you’re not building as much strength or muscle as you think. Progression matters. Here’s how I scale the load on push-ups without machines or a weighted vest: • Start with standard push-ups • Elevate the feet to shift more load to the upper body • Add bands to increase resistance • Use rings to increase range of motion I didn't show it, but you can also elevate you feet while doing the ring push-ups to add more load as a 5th progression. Every step increases mechanical tension—which is the real driver of muscle growth. Stop repping out on push-ups. Start adding load...and enjoy the growth.

Ted Ryce

65,584 views • 3 months ago

We've normalized aging far too much. People are told, "You're 60. What do you expect?" so often that they start to believe losing strength, balance, and independence is inevitable. I don't buy that. In my new episode with physiotherapist Will Harlow, we talk about why independence is the ultimate form of freedom and the four pillars that protect it: mobility, strength, balance, and skeletal health. The truth is, muscle mass is one of the strongest predictors of longevity. And age-related muscle loss is happening faster than most people realize..
1:22

We've normalized aging far too much. People are told, "You're 60. What do you expect?" so often that they start to believe losing strength, balance, and independence is inevitable. I don't buy that. In my new episode with physiotherapist Will Harlow, we talk about why independence is the ultimate form of freedom and the four pillars that protect it: mobility, strength, balance, and skeletal health. The truth is, muscle mass is one of the strongest predictors of longevity. And age-related muscle loss is happening faster than most people realize..

Gary Brecka

14,573 views • 1 month ago

🔥The Untold SECRET To Muscle Growth 🔥 Most people think … Eating mountains of protein is the fastest way to build muscle. While in reality this is completely WRONG Because if you WANT to actually build MORE muscles You NEED the right trigger to switch on muscle growth. That trigger is Leucine This powerhouse amino acid … Is the SWITCH that turns on muscle protein synthesis The process that actually grows your muscles. And to make it WORK for you : ⚡️ Aim for 2–3g of leucine per meal ⚡ Hit that target across 3 solid meals a day ⚡ Watch your recovery, strength, and size MOVE to the next level Coz… Protein alone = building blocks. Leucine = the builder. Without the builder…. the building will never be built Curious… Which meal of the day do YOU think gives the most leucine? …Comment below 👇
0:28

🔥The Untold SECRET To Muscle Growth 🔥 Most people think … Eating mountains of protein is the fastest way to build muscle. While in reality this is completely WRONG Because if you WANT to actually build MORE muscles You NEED the right trigger to switch on muscle growth. That trigger is Leucine This powerhouse amino acid … Is the SWITCH that turns on muscle protein synthesis The process that actually grows your muscles. And to make it WORK for you : ⚡️ Aim for 2–3g of leucine per meal ⚡ Hit that target across 3 solid meals a day ⚡ Watch your recovery, strength, and size MOVE to the next level Coz… Protein alone = building blocks. Leucine = the builder. Without the builder…. the building will never be built Curious… Which meal of the day do YOU think gives the most leucine? …Comment below 👇

Alex Stanciu

15,337 views • 10 months ago

Creatine is for Brain Power, not Just Muscle Power A New RCT just dropped looking at creatine hydrochloride (HCl) and creatine ethyl ester (CEE) on cognitive outcomes (PMID: 40854087). Researchers gave perimenopausal women 8 weeks of either low-dose creatine HCl (750 mg or 1.5 g / day), a blend of HCl + CEE, or placebo. 👉 The 1.5 g HCl group showed small but significant improvements in reaction time and even a ~16% increase in frontal brain creatine levels on MRS scans. The HCl + CEE combo didn’t outperform HCl alone. All forms were well-tolerated and there were no serious side effects. The results add to growing evidence that creatine supports cognition—not just strength, hypertrophy, and power—but let’s keep perspective: ⚠️ Creatine ethyl ester has consistently underperformed in bioavailability studies. Multiple head-to-head trials show it’s rapidly degraded to creatinine in the gut and fails to meaningfully raise muscle creatine compared to creatine monohydrate (PMID:19228401). Creatine HCl seems to dissolve better in water and some anecdotal reports claim it’s easier on digestion for some people, but so far there’s no solid evidence it improves muscle or brain creatine stores beyond what you get with monohydrate. Bottom line: this study is promising for the cognitive benefits of creatine overall, but it doesn’t change the main recommendation Creatine monohydrate is still the gold standard. It’s the form used in hundreds of human RCTs, proven to raise muscle and brain creatine, and it’s cheap. Until stronger data show otherwise, save your money and stick with monohydrate.
2:52

Creatine is for Brain Power, not Just Muscle Power A New RCT just dropped looking at creatine hydrochloride (HCl) and creatine ethyl ester (CEE) on cognitive outcomes (PMID: 40854087). Researchers gave perimenopausal women 8 weeks of either low-dose creatine HCl (750 mg or 1.5 g / day), a blend of HCl + CEE, or placebo. 👉 The 1.5 g HCl group showed small but significant improvements in reaction time and even a ~16% increase in frontal brain creatine levels on MRS scans. The HCl + CEE combo didn’t outperform HCl alone. All forms were well-tolerated and there were no serious side effects. The results add to growing evidence that creatine supports cognition—not just strength, hypertrophy, and power—but let’s keep perspective: ⚠️ Creatine ethyl ester has consistently underperformed in bioavailability studies. Multiple head-to-head trials show it’s rapidly degraded to creatinine in the gut and fails to meaningfully raise muscle creatine compared to creatine monohydrate (PMID:19228401). Creatine HCl seems to dissolve better in water and some anecdotal reports claim it’s easier on digestion for some people, but so far there’s no solid evidence it improves muscle or brain creatine stores beyond what you get with monohydrate. Bottom line: this study is promising for the cognitive benefits of creatine overall, but it doesn’t change the main recommendation Creatine monohydrate is still the gold standard. It’s the form used in hundreds of human RCTs, proven to raise muscle and brain creatine, and it’s cheap. Until stronger data show otherwise, save your money and stick with monohydrate.

Layne Norton, PhD

17,692 views • 9 months ago

Everyone wants six-pack abs. Nobody talks about the muscles underneath them. I’ve spent my career helping people get stronger, healthier, and more confident. One thing I’ve learned? Real strength isn’t just about the muscles you can see—it’s about building a body that functions better. Your pelvic floor is one of the most important muscle groups you have, yet it’s not something you can strengthen through exercise alone. After years of injuries, I’ve learned that sometimes the smartest thing you can do is support your body in different ways. That’s what intrigued me about Emsculpt Neo and Emsella. They’re not a replacement for exercise—they’re tools that can complement an active lifestyle by helping support strength from your core to your pelvic floor. The stronger your foundation, the stronger everything else becomes. @emsculptneo @emsellabybtl BTL Aesthetics Int. #emsculptpartner #coretofloor
2:39

Everyone wants six-pack abs. Nobody talks about the muscles underneath them. I’ve spent my career helping people get stronger, healthier, and more confident. One thing I’ve learned? Real strength isn’t just about the muscles you can see—it’s about building a body that functions better. Your pelvic floor is one of the most important muscle groups you have, yet it’s not something you can strengthen through exercise alone. After years of injuries, I’ve learned that sometimes the smartest thing you can do is support your body in different ways. That’s what intrigued me about Emsculpt Neo and Emsella. They’re not a replacement for exercise—they’re tools that can complement an active lifestyle by helping support strength from your core to your pelvic floor. The stronger your foundation, the stronger everything else becomes. @emsculptneo @emsellabybtl BTL Aesthetics Int. #emsculptpartner #coretofloor

Jillian Michaels

30,525 views • 3 days ago