Barbell Shrugged - Talking Training W/ Crossfit Games Athletes, Strength Coaches & More

In this episode, Doug Larson, Coach Travis Mash, and Dr. Mike Lane break down cardio for strength athletes, especially lifters who have spent years chasing numbers in the gym but have not deliberately trained their heart, lungs, and work capacity. The big idea is simple: the less time you have, the more intensity matters; the more time you have, the more room you have for lower-intensity zone 2 work. Doug explains why strength athletes in their 40s, 50s, and beyond need to consciously program cardio instead of assuming it will happen naturally, while Travis shares how adding consistent conditioning helped him feel better, get leaner, and maintain a higher level of performance without giving up strength training. The conversation gets practical fast. Dr. Mike Lane explains how different forms of cardio create different adaptations, from left ventricle size and stroke volume to capillary density, mitochondrial improvements, blood pressure, cholesterol, and overall longevity. The team covers why sled pushes, ass