Ep 387 - Energy Cost of Building Muscle

In this episode, Eric Trexler and Eric Helms explore the energetic cost of building human skeletal muscle, discussing recent research, practical implications, and misconceptions about muscle growth and energy expenditure.

Relevant papers:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31482093/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37914977/
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.17.745156v1.full.pdf

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:52 Powerlifting shout-out
11:55 Introduction to new paper on energetic cost of building muscle
20:01 Components of muscle tissue building and their energy costs
22:59 Practical implications of the 3500 calorie rule
30:05 The five additive components of muscle growth energy cost
33:49 Variability in individual energy expenditure responses
40:12 Limitations and future directions in research
50:10 Summary and concluding thoughts