Anyone can build muscle. Even if you don’t realize it, you can build muscle and even use the same techniques that bodybuilders have used for years to do so. All you have to do is to know the right methods to get the results you desire. This article will discuss some proven methods for gaining muscle mass.
Train at least three times per week. You need at least three training sessions every week if you want to see significant muscle growth. If you are really new at weight training, this can be reduced to two at the start; however, you should increase the number of sessions per week as soon as you are able. If you already have some experience with strength training, you can add more sessions as well.
Don’t try to focus on both cardio and strength at the same time. This is not to say you should not perform cardiovascular exercises when you are attempting to build muscle. In fact, cardio is an important part of physical fitness. However, you should not heavily train cardio, such as preparing for a marathon, if you are trying to focus on building muscle. The two types of exercises can conflict, minimizing effectiveness on both fronts.
When attempting to build muscle mass, it is important to ingest the right foods. If your efforts to add bulk are stagnating, it could be because you have an insufficient nutritional intake. To add bulk, you need to consume at least 4000-6000 calories each day from foods, which are calorie dense. Some examples of calorie-dense foods are pasta, nuts, eggs, bagels, trail mix and steaks. Since vegetables have low calorie-density, keep their intake to a minimum.
A great way to build muscle is to pay close attention to nutrition, and eat a good amount of protein and carbohydrates. By eating every two hours, and ensuring you get no less than 1.5 grams of protein for each pound of your own weight and no less than 2 grams of carbohydrates per pound. You will have the nutritional tools necessary to build muscle.
For good muscle growth, you must eat properly both before and after a workout. Without the proper fuel, you will slow down the progress you want to make. Some good foods to eat for those pre and post-workout meals can be oatmeal, low-fat yogurt, egg whites and whole grain wheat toast.
Only workout your abs muscles two to three times per week. Many people make the mistake of doing abdominal exercises daily. This does not give the muscles enough time to recover and can ultimately limit their growth and could cause your body to become injured. Working out two to three times per week is sufficient to get lean abs.
Make sure that you select the best weight for yourself when doing lifting exercises. Research has proven that doing six to twelve reps at around seventy to eighty percent of your maximum for one rep, will give you the best combination of both volume and load. This can stimulate additional muscle growth.
Consuming a sufficient amount of protein is a key factor in building muscle. In general, for every pound that you weigh, you should aim to consume about one gram of protein. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should try to have 140 grams of protein in your diet. Meat, dairy and fish are excellent sources of protein.
If you are planning to increase your protein consumption because you want to lift weights, do so cautiously. Doing so may lead to excessive calorie consumption, which might then cause you to gain weight in the form of body fat. Instead, gradually increase your protein intake by about a hundred calories every two days. Your body will then be able to use the protein to build muscle mass.
Utilize pyramid training. A single weight lifting regimen doesn’t yield results forever. This is why you should attempt to pyramid your weight by using heavier weights throughout every set. Heavy sets allow you to build up your strength, and the medium weights maximize your muscle growth. This allows you to gain both strength and size in just one workout.
Keep in mind that muscles don’t grow while you’re working out; they grow during the resting period when they feel sore. For this reason, it’s most efficient to alternate workout days to give your muscles time to rest and grow. Working out heavily every single day will just wear your muscles down.
You can cheat a little bit when lifting. While you are trying to finish some extra reps, you can use only a little bit of your body if it will help you get it done. This will help you to increase how much you are working out. Remember, though, that this tactic should only be used when there is no alternative. Work hard so that your rep speed is controlled. Never allow your form to be compromised.
You can build more muscle if you keep your mind on the goal. Incorporate what you have learned here into your workout program, and you will see benefits. You can learn how to build great muscles when you apply all of the knowledge you know.
