2874: The Best Variations to Explode Your Squat, Deadlift and Bench Press

2874: The Best Variations to Explode Your Squat, Deadlift and Bench Press

Author: Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge June 6, 2026 Duration: 1:42:40

In this episode the guys break down the best squat, deadlift and bench press variations and accessories to explode your strength — box squats, belt squats, front squats, split stance squats, trap bar deadlifts, zercher squats, suitcase carries, reverse hypers, dips, incline press, and bands and chains. They also get into a study showing married young adults are significantly happier than their single peers, astaxanthin as an internal sunscreen supplement, the spike in strokes among people in their 20s and 30s, alpha-gal syndrome increasing 3000% in some states, and Justin's family trip to Yellowstone. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com — Aaron from Indiana on body composition after strongman, Derek from California on a slow bulk and rising body fat, Nick from Alberta on low testosterone after multiple concussions, and Kathy from Florida on building muscle and bone density with MS and osteoporosis.

 

MAPS Summer Sale — https://mapsfitnessproducts.com

Code: SUMMER40 — 40% off everything (programs, bundles & mods) — June 1–14 only

 

SPONSORS

Caldera Lab — https://calderalab.com/mindpump

Code: MINDPUMP20 — 20% off first order. 

 

Kion — https://getkion.com/mindpump

20% off — automatically applied at checkout. 

 

Butcher Box — https://butcherbox.com/mindpump

No code needed — Choose your free for life offer + $20 off: free sirloin tips for life, free chicken wings for life, or free ground beef for life. Grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, crate-free pork, wild-caught seafood delivered to your door.

 

Mind Pump Fitness Coaching — https://mindpumpfitnesscoaching.com

1.9 NASM CEUs

 

LINKS

Submit a live caller question: https://mplivecaller.com 

Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com 

Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com 

Instagram: @mindpumpmedia

0:00 - Intro

2:07 - Squat, deadlift and bench press hacks to explode your strength

3:43 - Squat hacks: box squat, belt squat, front squat & split stance squat

17:16 - Deadlift hacks: trap bar deadlift, zercher squat, suitcase carries & reverse hyper

23:28 - Bench press hacks: weighted dips, incline press, bands & chains

27:50 - Astaxanthin as internal sunscreen — Justin's Palm Desert experiment

38:24 - Study: Married 22–35 year olds are dramatically happier than single peers

50:58 - Strokes spiking in people in their 20s and 30s — what's going on?

52:24 - Alpha-gal syndrome up 3,000% in some states — bioterrorism investigation

56:50 - Kion amino acids — why 40% leucine is the trigger for muscle protein synthesis

1:00:36 - Caller: Aaron (Indiana) — strongman background, 29% body fat, bulk vs. cut cycles

1:09:21 - Caller: Derek (California) — slow bulk, rising body fat, strength doubled in 18 months

1:19:33 - Caller: Nick (Alberta) — low testosterone, 5 concussions, hormone questions

1:31:06 - Caller: Kathy (Florida) — MS, osteoporosis, overtraining on Maps Esthetic, gets a coach


Tired of fitness fads and conflicting advice that leaves you more confused than when you started? Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth cuts through the noise with a no-nonsense approach you can actually trust. Hosts Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, and Doug Egge bring their combined expertise to every conversation, dismantling popular myths and calling out the pervasive snake oil in the wellness world. Instead of hype, they focus on practical, science-backed strategies for building muscle, enhancing performance, and-most importantly-sustaining long-term health. Their discussions are grounded in reality, often challenging even the most sacred institutions in the industry with a blend of sharp insight and relatable humor. Each episode of this podcast feels like an honest talk with knowledgeable friends who aren’t afraid to question everything. You’ll find clarity on nutrition, training paradigms, and lifestyle choices, all delivered without an agenda other than giving you the unfiltered facts. For anyone exhausted by the constant churn of gimmicks and seeking a sustainable path to feeling and looking better, this is an essential listen. The raw truth isn’t always pretty, but with this team guiding you, it’s undeniably effective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth
Podcast Episodes
2872: Why Going Off Your Diet Can Actually Help You Lose More Fat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:52
In this episode the guys break down diet breaks — what they actually are, how they differ from just going off your diet, and why the science supports using them on any fat loss plan. They cover the five key benefits back…
2871: 6 Things That Are Destroying Your Muscle (Without You Knowing) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:24
In this episode the guys break down the six fastest ways to lose muscle and get flabby — too much cardio, low protein, poor sleep, nutrient deficiencies, ignoring gut health, and alcohol. Sal shares how fixing a parasite…
2870: 6 Signs You're Not Training Hard Enough (And How to Fix It) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:00
In this episode the guys break down the six signs that you're not training hard enough — and why intensity is the most important factor for making progress in the gym. They cover what strenuous actually feels like, why u…
2865: Hit PRs Doing Less & Lifting Smarter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:24
MEMORIAL DAY SALE: 40% OFF ALL Programs, Bundles & Guides! https://www.mindpumpmedia.com/maps-fitness-individual-programs/?htrafficsource=youtube-organic&hcategory=MPSHOW&el=2865 In this episode the guys break down how m…