Victor Martinez dives deep into tactics to improve your chances of getting the pump during a training session
The latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, Victor Martinez pulled no punches. From fan questions on how to get that elusive muscle pump, to serious commentary on steroids, gene therapy, and the future of bodybuilding, the team covered hot-button topics with the honesty and raw insight fans have come to expect.
Here’s a brief overview of the topics discussed in this week’s episode:
- Victor Martinez’s advice on how to optimize achieving the pump during a workout.
- How to best bounce back from a bad workout session.
- Is Joe Rogan right? Are steroids mandatory to compete in pro bodybuilding?
- PED talk is becoming more transparent in bodybuilding. Is that a good thing?
- Does the future of gene therapy and editing mean we will have many more bodybuilders who surpass Ronnie Coleman’s physique?
You can watch the full episode of the latest Generation Iron Podcast above! Below is a full recap of this information-packed episode for those who crave a deeper look into talk on fitness, bodybuilding science, and real industry perspectives.
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Fan Question: How Do You Get and Keep the Pump?
Getting a good pump during a workout isn’t just about ego or looking swole for Instagram. It’s a key part of hypertrophy training and muscle growth. But, as Victor Martinez points out, getting that pump can be especially hard when you’re lean or cutting before a competition.
Victor breaks it down simply: It often comes down to how you fuel yourself before a workout—specifically your sodium intake. Sodium plays a major role in regulating blood pressure and vascularity, both of which are crucial for achieving the pump. If you’re not getting enough sodium, your pump suffers.
💡 Tip: One gram of sodium per meal is typically enough. Think of it like the small salt packet that comes with takeout food—that’s the ballpark you want to hit.
Another common mistake? Lifting too heavy. Martinez reminds listeners that at elite competitions like the Arnold Classic or Mr. Olympia, athletes aren’t using heavy weights backstage to pump up. They use light weights with controlled movements—because that’s all you need to stimulate blood flow and build the pump.
He also stresses the importance of form: push/pull, then hold and squeeze at the peak of each rep. That static contraction is what traps blood in the muscle and amplifies the pump effect.
Nitric oxide boosters? Martinez says they might help, but they’re not a miracle. The rest of your diet, hydration, and supplementation need to be on point first.
Fan Question: Should You Redo a Workout After a Bad Session?
This question sparked a solid discussion. A bad workout can throw your entire training split into chaos if you don’t manage it right.
Victor Martinez’s advice is clear and firm: walk away and move on. Your body is likely trying to tell you something—whether it’s fatigue, poor recovery, or under-nutrition. Don’t double down by trying to redo the workout the next day.
“If it’s a bad workout, take the loss and move on.”
However, if you completed most of the workout and just missed a few exercises, it’s okay to tack those on to your next training day. What you shouldn’t do is try again later the same day. It’ll likely be another failure—and now you’re overtraining.
He also brings up an underrated point: mental burnout. If you’re bored or unmotivated during workouts, chances are you’ve been running the same routine for too long. Mixing up your exercises can bring back focus and drive.
Joe Rogan on Steroids in Bodybuilding: Is He Right?
Joe Rogan recently made headlines by stating that it’s impossible to be a professional bodybuilder—especially a Mr. Olympia winner—without steroids. According to Victor, Rogan is right.
Victor Martinez doesn’t view Rogan’s comment as hate—it’s realism. To be Mr. Olympia, steroids are a practical necessity. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be a professional without them. Plenty of athletes have earned their IFBB Pro Card without using performance-enhancing drugs.
To make his point, Victor references Ronnie Coleman—arguably the most jacked man in bodybuilding history. Ronnie built a world-class physique naturally before turning to steroids. But once you enter a no-drug-testing league like the IFBB, you’re competing against enhanced athletes. To stand a chance, PEDs often become part of the equation.
“Even in tested sports, people dope. If there’s a way to win, someone will take it.”
The Tren Twins, Rich Piana & the New Transparency in Bodybuilding
The crew also touched on a major shift in the bodybuilding landscape: the rise of full transparency about drug use.
Social media personalities like the Tren Twins have built huge followings while being upfront about their cycles and enhancement. Rich Piana was one of the first to do this on a major platform, but back then, he was seen as an outsider and often shunned by official organizations.
Now? Transparency is almost expected.
Victor praises Rich Piana for being ahead of his time. He knew the power of social media and how it would eventually break down the walls of secrecy in the sport. That openness has only grown—and the federations can’t (and don’t) try to stop it anymore.
RELATED: Watch Rich Piana Chronicles On Digital
Will Anyone Ever Match Ronnie Coleman’s Legacy?
The debate about whether we’ll ever see another 8-time Mr. Olympia like Ronnie Coleman stirred thoughtful commentary.
Victor admits it’s unlikely. Athletes like Samson Dauda and Derek Lunsford are phenomenal—but they haven’t eclipsed Ronnie’s legacy. And they probably won’t.
Gene therapy may change the game. Guest co-host Vlad mentions that some experts predict it will redefine the limits of human performance. Martinez agrees, but adds a crucial caveat: science can’t manufacture champion mentality.
“Ronnie’s mindset was different. That wasn’t steroids. That was something inside him.”
Victor also believes social media has changed athlete motivation. Chasing likes, followers, and short-term fame has shifted priorities. That drive to dominate for nearly a decade, as Coleman did, may be extinct.
Still, he finds this new era more exciting. The title is up for grabs each year, and fans stay guessing. Compare that to the Phil Heath reign, where one winner seemed locked in year after year.
Wrap Up
This episode delivers what the podcast does best: no-BS discussion from people who live and breathe bodybuilding. Victor Martinez combines honesty with experience, making him a voice you can trust in a world often flooded with hype.
From dissecting the science of the pump to reflecting on the legacy of bodybuilding greats, the episode is a must-listen for serious lifters and fans of the sport.
YOu can watch the full episode of the Generation Iron Podcast at the top of this article. And make sure to check back every week for new episdoes on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded!
