Building Muscle vs. Losing Fat. vs. Getting Stronger - which is BEST for YOU (NOT what you think)

1- For novices or those with limited kettlebells, use this program.
https://go.chasingstrength.com/kettlebell-burn/
2- For intermediates, use this program.
https://salutis.kartra.com/page/giant-x
3- For advanced - if you are comfortable with the double lifts and have multiple kettlebells, this is the one you want.
https://go.chasingstrength.com/kettlebell-maximorum-e/
4- And if you’re “hardcore?” Use this one.
https://cart.chasingstrength.com/hard3b
When I was in my late teens and early 20s, I was obsessed with being BIG AND STRONG.
Problem was, I got kinda “thick” in the process.
Here’s a pic of me at about 245lbs / 111kg in 1993, age 20:
The other problem was I went from running about a 6 minute mile weighing 165 pounds to huffing and puffing walking up the stairs in less than 4 years.
Similarly, America has gone from a 10% obesity rate to 40% obesity rate in 40 years.
And collectively, about 50% of the world’s population is now overweight.
So, how do you reconcile the desire to be a “big / strong guy” with the current reality that your current size isn’t all muscle?
How do you peel off unwanted body fat that is slowly strangling the life out of you, while getting stronger or building muscle at the same time (or BOTH building muscle AND getting stronger)?
Well, in my book, it’s by doing it the opposite way of everybody else - the contrarian approach.
What’s that?
We’re not going to focus on “losing fat.”
We’re going to focus on “getting more muscular.”
Why?
Simple -
Muscle is your “Metabolic Machinery.”
What’s that mean, exactly?
Here’s what muscle does for you:
1- Regulates Blood Sugar & Insulin Sensitivity
Skeletal muscle absorbs about 80% of sugar from the blood after meals, making it vital for keeping blood sugar levels stable.
Proper muscle function supports insulin sensitivity (how well the body responds to insulin), reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
References: Merz & Thurmond (2020), Feraco et al. (2021).
2- Stores & Releases Amino Acids
Muscles act as a reservoir for amino acids (the building blocks of protein), releasing them as needed for energy, repair, or during illness or fasting.
This helps maintain balance in energy and protein levels.
Reference: Argiles et al. (2016).
3- Acts as a Communication Hub
Skeletal muscle functions as an endocrine organ, releasing proteins called myokines. These proteins help other organs (like the brain and liver) communicate and maintain overall metabolic balance.
Myokines play a key role in preventing metabolic diseases.
References: Kim & Kim (2020), Feraco et al. (2021).
4- Adapts to Energy Needs (Metabolic Flexibility)
Muscles efficiently switch between burning sugar or fat for energy, depending on what the body needs. This flexibility is essential for energy efficiency.
Impaired flexibility is linked to conditions like diabetes and muscle loss (sarcopenia).
References: Molinari et al. (2023), Hood et al. (2019).
5- Follows Daily Rhythms
Muscle metabolism is influenced by the body’s internal clock, aligning with eating and fasting cycles. This synchronization ensures efficient energy use throughout the day.
Reference: Smith et al. (2024).
6- How Aging Impacts Muscle
Aging leads to sarcopenia (muscle loss), reduced strength, and slower metabolism. Mitochondria (the energy producers in cells) decline, and inflammation increases.
These changes weaken muscle function and reduce energy efficiency.
Exercise can combat these effects, maintaining strength and metabolic health.
References: Grevendonk et al. (2021), Rezuș et al. (2020).
So it makes good sense that focusing on building, training, and maintaining proper muscle function is not just “a way” but literally “THE WAY” to not “just” get stronger but to
[+] Get rid of unwanted body fat so you fit in you clothes, have more confidence, and regain the respect of your peers and family members
[+] Reverse diseases associated with being overweight / obesity, so you have more energy and stop wasting money on drugs that just mask the symptoms but don’t actually cure you
[+] Stave off aging, the nursing home, flinging poop at the nurse who changes your diapers, and an early death
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to use your trusty KBs to do so.
But HOW, exactly?
Well, generally speaking…
Lift Heavy: Use multiple sets of 1 to 6 on your grinds.
And -
Lift Explosively: Use multiple sets of 5 to 20 on your ballistics.
And do that 3 non-consecutive days a week.
For specifics?
Remember, losing fat, building muscle, and getting stronger are ALL important.
But focusing on getting your “metabolic machinery” - your muscle - functioning optimally again is the key to achieving all three.
Stay Strong,
Geoff