Archive

Posts Tagged ‘build muscle’

Competing with 20 year Olds at 35 Years Old

November 6th, 2009

At age 18-23 I was in very good condition. I played all the high school sports at a very high level and went on to play college sports as well. I was able to control the field or the court and was generally in control off the field as well. I thought those days were behind me, I was wrong!

A typical sports practice will prove to many how important being in shape really is. The practice schedules are designed to keep players moving around the field and working at a high level during the practice and then at the end they use a “conditioning period” to focus strictly on getting the players into shape. It is a really good idea from a coaching stand point because you want the most out of your players during the games.

Weight programs and jump training were very common forms of pre-season training in the sport I played. On field drills designed to help us athletically with team building drills were all common place. This was all designed to get us in to shape both physically and mentally, and I was ready to play that is for sure and in very good shape as a result.

Fast forward 15 years or so and you would think I lost my edge for one reason or another. Well I am here to tell you that you can have that edge and maybe be even better at a given sport than your younger competitor. You have the knowledge of the game and if you are lucky you have the fitness knowledge that most younger people lack. You can run circles around some of those guys simply because you train smarter than they do.

The first smart workout I learned dealt with intensity in my workouts. The level of intensity you bring to your workout will determine the results you get, especially the older you get. Intensity is an interesting thing because you can struggle to get results without it. Far too often people go to the gym to look pretty and just to say they went. They don’t actually care about the results as much as they think they do, they care about their actions.

The second thing I learned was how to eat. I used to be able to eat everything I wanted, or so I thought. I really wish someone would have told me that I shouldn’t eat as many carbs as I was eating and should increase my protein intake. That would have make things a whole lot easier for me.

I hope these few secrets give you the vote of confidence to get back on the court or field and participate with these young guys. I think it will shock you to see that you can actually keep up, well until you get your first injury, those take longer to heal.

Looking to find more about how to lose fat and build muscle, for you, there is lots to know. Also find out the best muscle building supplements to assist you with losing fat and building muscle.

Landon Corton Muscle Building , , , , , ,

How To Build Up Muscle: Work Smarter Not Harder When Learning How To Build Up Muscle

October 6th, 2009
by Henry Bantista

Who hasn’t heard about the puny guy who takes his girlfriend to the beach only to have her stolen from him by the big body builder, and he even gets sand kicked in his face to top it all off. Well you may not be that puny little guy, but you may desire to add muscle to a somewhat small frame. You look at all the muscle magazines and idolize Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lee Haney, but none of this is helping you bulk up or teach you how to build up muscle. So what do you do?

Sure you wish you looked like those muscle heads in the gym, you know the guy with biceps bigger than their heads. Well you must keep in mind that these guys did not get this way over night, it took them years of work to get where they are. Another thing to keep in mind is that chances are these guys are genetically gifted.

The super stars of body building have a genetic advantage over the rest of us. They were born with the right combination of things to build up muscle, and in many cases these guys have not used just standard body building techniques to gain these massive physiques.

Chances are you are more like the average Joe, particularly if you are that puny little guy on the beach. First of all you probably don’t have the genetic gifts and advantages of pro bodybuilders. Secondly you will have to learn to train smarter not harder to achieve your goals. Here are some steps to help you achieve this, and begin to build the muscle you have always wanted.

In order to build up muscles you need to create a program that caters to your particular needs. This usually means starting slow and improving over time. Naturally the first thing to do is to not hide behind a computer or sit on the sofa playing video games, while those are great hobbies they will not help build up muscle. You must make a conscious decision to change things. In other words you must be willing to change your lifestyle, and begin to focus on your muscle building goals.

If you have joined a gym the one of the best things you can do is seek the council of a certified trainer. Many gyms have trainers that can assist you to create a program that is designed with your physique in mind. The first thing a good trainer will teach you is to work in moderation.

Another thing you need to concentrate on is focusing on your workout and blocking out those around you. Do not measure yourself up against the others, as nothing will discourage you faster. By trying to do what the other guy is doing you almost guarantee that you will hurt yourself.

Once you have a program designed for you, stick to it, do not attempt to over work yourself. Working smart and sticking with a program that improves gradually is how to build up muscle. By doing this you will be able to maintain the workout program on a regular basis. It makes no sense to workout hard then not be able to get back into the gym for a week or more. A weight training program is no good if you won’t stick with it. By overdoing you can find that you have injured yourself. Throwing out your back is not how to build up muscle. So the first thing you should keep in mind when starting a weight lifting program is to be safe, do all training with moderation and workout smart.

About the Author:

Henry Bantista Muscle Building , , , , , , , ,

Containing Mistakes: Fundamental Advice for Building Muscle

October 5th, 2009
by Brad Morgan

Starting any kind of fitness program can be difficult because of the sheer amount of advice out there. It is often hard to know where to start your muscle building efforts.

There is more than one way to build muscle, more than one exercise that works, but there are also many things that can hurt your efforts to build muscle. Let’s take a look at some things to avoid.

1. Buying overpriced gym memberships.

If you are considering a gym membership, it may be much better for you to save yourself the expense. While gyms tout their stack-pulley, computerized, or hydraulic machines as much more effective and safe than free weights, the best workouts are the low-tech, low-cost ones that you can do in the comfort of your own home.

In the privacy of your own home, you can workout with moves like squats and lunges, which require absolutely no equipment, or with free weights, which are relatively cheap. The best equipment is your body, some free weights, and hard work.

2. Doing the Same Workout All the Time

It is easy to see results immediately after starting a muscle building program. Be careful of becoming complacent, however. It may not work as well as you progress.

Perhaps, but doing the same workout after your body has adjusted to the exercise will cause your efforts to stagnate. Your body is an incredibly efficient machine. The more you practice a move, the less your body actually has to work to execute it.

When your body becomes used to doing the same workouts, it needs to use fewer calories. To avoid this problem, don’t let your exercise routine become too routine. Add some variation and/or intensity into your sessions. This has two benefits: one, you continue to build muscle, and two, you don’t get bored.

3. Ignoring Cardio

Some people who are trying to build muscle focus exclusively on weight training. While this is obviously important, they are ignoring an integral part of success: cardio.

We all know that cardio can help you burn fat. For muscle builders, it also helps the body rest and recover from weight training. To get the best results, do intervals of high intensity cardio for about twenty minutes right after your weight training session.

4. Working Out Everyday

Working out everyday can also hurt your muscle building efforts. Since muscle repairs itself and develops during rest periods, it is vital to build some into your workout routine. Two or three rest days per week should be sufficient to allow your muscles to do their work.

Also, alternate which muscle groups you work on. For instance, if you work on your arms and back one day, the next day do your abs and legs. This will keep the muscles from becoming fatigued or injured and allow them to do their work.

5. Not paying attention to what you eat.

Not eating properly is a big reason why many people fail to build muscle. Food is necessary for your body’s health and to put it into optimum muscle building mode.

Especially important is protein, which is essential to muscle building. Make sure you get plenty of lean meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy in your diet, and eat a protein snack within thirty minutes of your workouts.

6. Giving Up

Some people take longer to build muscle than others. The biggest mistake that you can make is to give up because you are not seeing results.

Maybe you need to reevaluate your workout routine and diet to determine what you can add/subtract to get results. Maybe you are laying a good foundation for muscle building and your body will start demonstrating the progress you’ve made if you just give it a little longer.

Either way, quitting won’t give you the body you want. Keep up with your efforts; if it is not working, then by all means change something. Just don’t give up.

About the Author:

Brad Morgan Muscle Building , , , , , , , ,

How to Build Pecs Naturally

September 30th, 2009
by Frank Hommes

Beginners at weight lifting might feel like they are missing something when they are trying to learn how to build their pecs. They do all of the same exercises they see other people doing and still have trouble getting their pecs built up. This is because not everything is about the exercise itself.

1. The first tip is to eat the correct types of food, because this is just as vital as doing the proper exercises. The reason for this, is that muscle can’t be built without certain types of nutrients. Muscle is composed of protein and in order to build up the muscle properly, you should be eating food with a lot of protein. Eating foods rich in carbohydrates can also help, because they give the body extra energy during the workout.

Overall health is an important part of how to build pecs, so having a well balanced diet will be very helpful to you. Along with consuming a lot of protein, you should be eating plenty of vegetables and fruits. As long as your body is healthy, it will be able to focus on building new muscle.

2. The second tip is to stretch. If you’re trying to build up your pecs, you should be doing stretches which get the upper chest ready to do some tough work. You can do something as easy as doing a push-up motion while standing, to stretch out your pectoral muscles.

However, you should avoid overworking your pecs for the same reason you should stretch. An over amount of activity on your pecs can strain the muscles causing them harm as opposed to helping them get stronger. It could also result in overly pronounced pecs which isn’t necessarily a good look.

3. A person needs to do the right types of exercises if they want to build their pecs. Exercises such as push-ups really work the pectoral muscles and can be done without a gym. For people with access to a weight lifting bench they can do bench presses as well.

About the Author:

Frank Hommes Muscle Building , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Get Great Abs

September 19th, 2009

Looking to get great abs? In this article, I’m going to show you how anyone can get a ripped six pack, you just need to be armed with the right methods. The thing I’ve found out over the years, is that many people have been mislead by what they read in the magazines and have struggled to get the results they desire. If you are one of these people, then after reading this article, you’ll be well on your way to achieving the results you want!

To get great abs you need to sort out your diet! Here’s the ugly truth, you could have the most defined and muscly abs out there, but if there’s a layer of fat covering them up, you won’t be able to see them and show them off! This is the number one starting point if you want to get amazing abs. By sorting out your diet, what I don’t mean is completely starving yourself. Oh no. What I mean is you need to cut out the foods that have no nutritional benefit. Foods like crisps and cakes will only sit on your stomach and add to the belly fat. If you cut down on these and start eating more healthily, then your body fat levels will drop, which is exactly what you need to happen!

When you have a good diet in place, it’s time to work those ab muscles! Now, if you believe that crunches are the best ab exercise, then your mistaken! To get great abs, it’s all about burning the fat. Now you can’t just burn fat from a specific area. When you exercise, your body burns fat from all over your body! Sit ups and crunches are such a small exercise, it does not target enough muscle groups. You need to focus on exercises that target much more muscles from all over your body. This will bring about insane muscle burn!

You also need to keep your workouts to below an hour to get great abs . A high intense, short workout is a thousand times more effective than a long, boring cardio workout. This is because a short, sharp workout will force your body to raise your metabolism over time. This means your body will naturally want to burn more fat!

Once you have a good diet and effective workout plan, there’s one other thing you need to get great abs, dedication! Many people give up after a week or two because they haven’t got the abs they dreamt of. You need to know that you can’t get amazingly ripped abs overnight, but if you get into a good routine and are consistent with your meals, then you will achieve brilliant results. Think how awesome you’ll feel after a month or two when you can whip your shirt off and reveal a sexy six pack!

In this article, you have learned that a proven meal plan and routine, is what’s needed to achieve an amazing six pack. To get great abs, go to http://ezinearticles.com/?Get-Great-Abs&id=2878640 where you’ll be shown lots of useful techniques on how to get ripped abs.

James Statham Muscle Building , , , , , ,

How to Build Pecs: My Secret Method

August 29th, 2009
by Frank Hommes

If you are new to weight lifting, you might feel like you’re missing something when you’re trying to learn how to build your pecs. You may do all of the same exercises you see other people doing , but still have trouble building your pecs up. The reason for this, is that it’s not all about about the exercise itself, there are other matters to consider.

1. Eating the right kinds of food is just as important as doing the right exercises. This is because muscle can’t be built without certain nutrients. Protein is what muscle is composed of and so in order to build the muscle a person needs to eat a lot of protein. Carbohydrates can also help because it will give the body more energy during the workout.

Your overall health is an essential part to building your pecs, so it would be in your best interest to have a well balanced diet. Along with a lot of protein intake, you should be consuming a lot of fruits and vegetables. Your body will be able to properly build new muscle as long as it is healthy.

2. The second tip is to stretch. If you’re trying to build up your pecs, you should be doing stretches which get the upper chest ready to do some tough work. You can do something as easy as doing a push-up motion while standing, to stretch out your pectoral muscles.

You should avoid overworking your pecs for the same reason they should stretch. Over activity on the pecs can put extra strain on the muscles, which can cause them harm as opposed to making them stronger. It could also lead to an unappealing appearance, which you probably wouldn’t like.

3. A person needs to do the right types of exercises if they want to build their pecs. Exercises such as push-ups really work the pectoral muscles and can be done without a gym. For people with access to a weight lifting bench they can do bench presses as well.

About the Author:

Frank Hommes Muscle Building , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Use An Abs Program To Maximize Your Abs Workout

August 23rd, 2009
by Greg Correll

Any attempt to lose weight can be fruitless if you do not have a proper structure and guide to follow. While you’re trying to gain abs, it can be doubly painful when and especially you have no idea how to get there. Weight loss program might get you lean, but no necessary ripped if you’re looking to get six pack abs, use a tried and proven six pack abs program instead that will offer you more depth.

Too many people are jumping into weight loss without knowing exactly what they want or how to do it. A Six Pack Abs Program helps people to understand what to do, when to do it, and how. There is a special formula to every workout. It is a shame that so many people do not realize this. It takes knowledge to get to where you are going. An effective ab workout program is able to give you the stability and confidence you need in order to carry out your weight loss plans.

When attempting to do anything without a plan or a structure, you are most likely destined to fail and not get what you want. By understanding exercises laid out in an abs program, not only you’ll do it right, you’ll also reap great benefit from doing so! Pay attention to your stomach, because this is where most people fail. Stubborn fats stored as back up energy plan by your body is not going to go off easily.

Abs program, especially those that are around the market for a while are proven to work. If you think these programs will offer you the exact same thing as those you see in the fitness magazines, then you are dead wrong. Instead of just information, most of these programs are designed in a way that you can not go wrong. Everything have been outlined for you and techniques are just a stone throw away, simplicity is often the best approach to getting abs.

Eating will have a huge impact on your weight, whether you agree or not. Most of the time, exercising alone won’t get you the abs you’re looking for, but not knowing what you should eat is definitely not going to help your cause for abs. Therefore, getting an abs program alone for eating plans can be worth it.

The techniques in a Six Pack Abs Program are tried and true. Normal everyday people have already tested out the program only to find out that it really works. People need to know what works. They need to stop diving in headfirst without any direction. It is understandable that not everyone can afford a personal trainer. That is why there are guides out there to help and instruct you on what to do. With a proven plan complete with the right type of abs workout and diet regimen, there is no way you can fail.

About the Author:

Greg Correll Muscle Building , , , , , , , , ,

Make Your Weight Training Routines Count

August 10th, 2009
by Emmanuel Palmer

‘No Pain, No Gain!’-Have it been screamed in your ear by a sweats clad but military reared trainer one too many times? Well, it’s partly true. You will experience a certain amount of pain when you decide to undergo intense bodybuilding regimens. However, apart from muscle soreness of varying degrees, you might want to be extra alert on particular aches your body is experiencing. It may be its way of telling you that something is definitely wrong and needs some fixing. In your pursuit on the best ways on how to build muscles, keep these factors in mind to make sure you avoid causing needless injury to your body.

When one is starting out this exciting, adrenalin pumping journey to fitness-a common mistake is to hit the gym too often. Over training has caused many to get burnt out quickly. More than that, the immune system will suffer and the risk of injury to the joints and bones are greater. Go to the gym a few days but take most of the days of the week to concentrate on getting quality rest and just relax. It will surprise you how much better you will be because of it.

If you want to bulk up, then many topics on how to build muscles will encourage you to concentrate on gaining body mass and stay away from too many cardiovascular workouts that burn calories needed. While you do need to pack on serious pounds for this particular fitness goal, you should not completely eradicate cardio training. Practicing aerobic training helps in your cholesterol levels and your hearts’ arteries’ elasticity-a strong enough motivation if you think about it.

Take extra precautions in your stay in the gym. When you finish using a machine, ensure that the weight plates, pulleys and cables are locked or safely tucked away. Also bring the dumbbells you’ve used back to their appropriate racks. Watch your head when you pass by certain equipments, especially those with extended bars attached to them. Wear suitable attire and footwear; and give the other trainers space when they are performing their exercise programs.

Sometimes in training, we just rush through the last few counts just to get the set over and done with. Do not do this. It is more important that you execute the assigned drills in the correct form and position to maximize that particular muscle, and to avoid damaging muscles or joints in the long run. Start with the more manageable weights and progress your way from there. Stop exercising if you feel that you are over extending a joint and call the resident instructor to help you out.

And of course, have the proper diet to help boost the productivity of your workout regimens. Eating right can also accelerate muscle development. Depending on your weight goal, your meals should get their calories from healthy food rich in protein and carbohydrates like lean meat, fish, whole wheat grains, etc. Take plenty of water and fluids, particularly on days that you train.

Make the extra effort to attend to these little details; it will do so much for the efficacy of your weight training routines. Have quality rest, eat sensible and exercise smart-looking good has never been this easy.

About the Author:

Emmanuel Palmer Muscle Building , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Great Physique’s Number 1 Tool – A Weight Training Program Guide

August 10th, 2009
by Emmanuel Palmer

You’ve seen enough action flicks to know you want the same body as the hero who gets the girl-now you’re taking the next step by enrolling in a gym and getting a weight training program to get you to your goal. Read on to get the best muscle building exercises and facts that will help you understand your body better; effectively putting substance on your workouts.

High intensity and periodization are the two main schools of thought used today for weight training. High intensity workouts are short and very physically demanding, with much of the drills executed until failure. Periodization allows you to get to your destination at a somewhat more leisurely pace of around two to three months. You start at light, then proceed to medium and then high level every couple of weeks. The focus here are the collective gains the body earns at the end of training and not at the end of every session.

Nowadays, most people use both philosophies by getting parts of each that works best for them personally. What you need to remember is that sooner or later your body comes to a plateau wherein it becomes accustomed to the drills you are inflicting on it. When this happens, training will cease to be as effective as it once was. To avoid this, vary your exercise drills and weight loads every so often. Push yourself constantly to new levels and see the progress in your physique.

Aside from weight training, the two other factors you need to concentrate on are rest and nutrition. Now I know they are an unassuming pair and more often than not, new and overzealous trainers put them at the bottom of their priority list. However, you cannot expect the best results without giving proper attention to them. For instance, when you train and put tears in your muscles– rest is what repairs and builds up the tissues to be the bigger and stronger than before. If you train 4 times a week, getting good sleep the rest of the days will benefit you.

For a bodybuilder’s diet, the best muscle building food are those that are rich in protein and carbohydrates. This means include a lot of lean meat and whole grains in your meals. As much as you are able, do not eat a lot of food high in fat to complete your calorie quota for the day. Instead, consider consuming protein shakes and recommended muscle building supplements to fill in the needed nutrients.

Never forget to warm up and stretch before you start your workout session. What this does is lay the foundation for your exercise; preparing your body to perform at its best by stimulating the blood flow to vital organs, raising your body temperature and increasing flexibility. Make it a practice to stretch even between sets and as you cool down after your training.

When you are building muscle and bulking up, aerobic training that serve to burn calories should be limited to a couple of hours a week. However, this is not to mean to take this away from your regimen altogether. Cardiovascular workouts are essential for your heart’s health. As you near your ideal weight, increase the frequency and minutes of aerobic training for maintenance.

A perfect weight training program is the holy grail of all bodybuilders and professional trainers alike- much desired but few take the effort to see it through. And while mistakes may litter the path to the amazing physique of your dreams, with determination and persistence it will not fail to come.

About the Author:

Emmanuel Palmer Muscle Building , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reach Your Fitness Goals With The Right Weight Lifting Workout

August 9th, 2009
by Emmanuel Palmer

Let me ask you a question, how does hanging out with beautiful people and getting special favors sound? Great, right? If you want a lifestyle similar to that, you can either go out and get a record deal; or look as good as you possible can with what you have today. If you don’t have a naturally muscled frame that’s alright-all you need are determination and motivation to achieve your goals.

Let us start with the basics: how to build bigger muscle. Exercise, those involving heavy weights particularly, puts tears in the muscle tissues. When you go home and rest, these little tears are then repaired by your body. As they are repaired, hormones are released to develop the same muscles to withstand the more stress thus creating the bigger and stronger muscles that you see. To get that body you want, below is a solid weight lifting workout that you can use right away.

Before you train, always do a minimum of 10 to 30 minute aerobic exercise to get your blood flowing to your heart, lungs and muscle tissues. Warm up and stretching, increases your body’s temperature, preparing your body for the physical stress it is about to endure in the next hour or so. Stretching between sets is helpful, especially in easing muscle soreness in the next few days.

There are many exercises and equipments that are available to aid you in your training. What you need to focus on is a plan wherein you can take advantage of the muscle groups trained that day. Study and determine the best program that will specify the frequency of your workouts, the appropriate reps and sets used, and the weight load you will be lifting.

As you start, try 2 to 3 sets of lower weights done in 12 reps. The weight is chosen according to the load that exhausts the target muscle by the 12th repetition. Use more manageable weights first and experiment on succeeding sessions on what will work best for you personally. If the aim is to build bigger muscle then rest between sets should be about 60 to 90 seconds only.

You can check with experienced trainers and they would all agree that a two to four day split training that concentrates on specific muscles, will benefit your body the best. You can divide workouts according to your upper and lower body or between muscle groups that work together. Keep in mind that to ensure maximum productivity in your training sessions, work the bigger muscles first before proceeding to the smaller ones.

These are some drills you can use for your workout: Stomach- crunches and leg raises Arms- dips, close-grip bench press and barbell curls Shoulders- dumbbell rear felt flyes and military press (standing and sitting) Back- lat pull downs,T-bar rows and deadlifts Chest- barbell bench press, decline bench press and incline bench press Legs- lunges, leg presses and squats

Always take plenty of fluids, around 10 to 12 glasses of water, to fuel your body during workout sessions. Do not forget to cool down by stretching thoroughly after exercise and consult with your therapist immediately for any unusual pain you feel in your joints and muscles. Now you have an excellent weight lifting workout– go forth and multiply your muscles.

About the Author:

Emmanuel Palmer Muscle Building , , , , , , , , , , , ,