#381 Dr. Eric Helms - How Much Muscle Can The "Average" Person Build?

Dr. Eric Helms on Muscle Growth, Nutrition & Fitness Truths Dr. Eric Helms is one of the most respected and influential educators in muscle building, training, and nutrition. In this episode, Eric shares detailed and nuanced insights on: • How much muscle the average person can build in a year or across a lifetime • Differences between men’s and women’s ability to build muscle • Why distrust has grown toward science-backed muscle-building communicators • The battle between old-school bodybuilding and evidence-based approaches • Differences between natural and enhanced bodybuilding • Unhelpful ideas that come out of bodybuilding culture • Traditional bulking nutrition and health risks of high-protein diets • And much more ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Intro – Andrew Coates welcomes Dr. Eric Helms 00:01:37 Muscle Building Expectations 00:05:28 Men vs. Women in Muscle Building 00:09:13 Genetic Potential and Training Response 00:26:36 The Role of Social Media in Fitness 00:41:54 The Evolution of Macro Tracking in Bodybuilding 00:43:08 Integrating Research with Practice in Sports Science 00:45:04 Challenges in Communicating Scientific Findings 00:47:45 Differences Between Enhanced and Natural Bodybuilders 00:51:13 The Impact of Training Protocols and Drugs on Recovery 01:03:19 Bulking and Cutting Cycles – Are They Necessary? 01:14:40 Debunking Myths About High-Protein Diets 💬 SUPPORT THE SHOW I’ve been putting a lot of time and effort into making these episodes valuable for you. You can help me get these great guests and their knowledge in front of more people by: • Subscribing and checking out more episodes • Sharing on social media (tag me — I’ll respond!) • Sending it to a friend who needs this episode 🔗 FOLLOW ANDREW COATES Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness Website: www.andrewcoatesfitness.com 💪 PARTNERS & RESOURCES RP Strength App – www.rpstrength.com/coates — Use code COATESRP Just Bite Me Meals – https://justbitememeals.com — Use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off MacrosFirst – www.macrosfirst.com KNKG Bags – www.knkg.com/Andrew59676 — 15% off Forever Strength – www.foreverstrength.ca — Use code liftfree to save 10% 🏋️‍♀️ JOIN MY 13-WEEK WOMEN’S STRENGTH PROGRAM Get 13 weeks of progressive full-body strength workouts. Choose 2–4 workouts weekly, train on your schedule, and get coaching support from me. Includes access to our private Facebook community of supportive members. 👉 Join Forever Strength — Spots limited to 125 total, starting Monday, June 30th.