If you ask for advice on how to build muscle you'll probably get a different answer from every person you ask, so today we're going to cover the fundamental rules of building a leaner, stronger physique.
A lot of the things you see people doing in gyms these days has been passed onto them by sources which don't have any real scientific backing behind them, wrapped up as the latest thing or training system, and before long they've spread into countless gyms despite not having any proof behind their claims.
It seems that every workout needs to be based upon the latest gimmick or it loses it's appeal, but the truth is building a leaner, more powerful physique is not as difficult as many people believe it to be. There are a few simple steps which, if applied correctly, will help you to turn your current physique into the one you aspire to own.
The main problem when somebody has not seen any results in the gym is variety. If you get stuck in the same routine it will stop giving you results no matter how good it may have been when you put it together. Your body's job is to adapt and make things easier for you to cope, so you'll need to use different approaches to get continued results. If you have had issues progressing you workouts in the past you should look at using the holistic training approach, which involves switching each week between different fitness concepts, such as going from high rep workouts to HIIT sessions, then strength training without cardio.
Understanding the importance of rest is also a major factor in your potential success. Too many people, particularly beginners, get hooked on the feeling of seeing positive results and they don't take a day off. Believe it or not, taking a day off is exactly what your body needs when you're trying to get stronger and leaner. You should be training no more than four times per week with weights at the start.
Understanding the supplement industry is nowhere near as difficult as many people make it for themselves. When looking to use a whey protein supplement there are just two things you need to look for to see if it suits your goals. Firstly, check that it's got a protein content of 20-30 grams per serving. Science tells us that we cannot store more than this, so there's no need to purchase a product containing any more than that if your goal is to get leaner. Secondly, take a quick look at the carbohydrate content it offers. If it gives you as much carbs as protein then it's designed for weight gain, so if your goal is to get leaner you want a product which checks the box for your protein intake but keeps the carb count fairly low.
You should also look to make the most of your eating habits outside of the gym, don't neglect them and presume that you'll get results just because you're putting the work in with your training. To establish a ball park figure for your daily calorie intake simply multiply your goal body weight, in pounds, by fifteen. Around 30% of your total intake should arrive from protein, with 50% coming in the form of carbohydrates and the remaining 20% arriving from healthy fats. All the macro nutrients will be needed if you are to achieve your long term fitness goals.
While little used techniques like holistic training will provide a modern edge to your training, the main ingredients of learning how to build muscle are as old as the gym itself. Learning how to work out your daily calories and afford your muscles enough time to recover from each session will be as valuable as exercise itself. If you can stick to the four steps shown to you here for the next three months you will see a fantastic change.
A lot of the things you see people doing in gyms these days has been passed onto them by sources which don't have any real scientific backing behind them, wrapped up as the latest thing or training system, and before long they've spread into countless gyms despite not having any proof behind their claims.
It seems that every workout needs to be based upon the latest gimmick or it loses it's appeal, but the truth is building a leaner, more powerful physique is not as difficult as many people believe it to be. There are a few simple steps which, if applied correctly, will help you to turn your current physique into the one you aspire to own.
The main problem when somebody has not seen any results in the gym is variety. If you get stuck in the same routine it will stop giving you results no matter how good it may have been when you put it together. Your body's job is to adapt and make things easier for you to cope, so you'll need to use different approaches to get continued results. If you have had issues progressing you workouts in the past you should look at using the holistic training approach, which involves switching each week between different fitness concepts, such as going from high rep workouts to HIIT sessions, then strength training without cardio.
Understanding the importance of rest is also a major factor in your potential success. Too many people, particularly beginners, get hooked on the feeling of seeing positive results and they don't take a day off. Believe it or not, taking a day off is exactly what your body needs when you're trying to get stronger and leaner. You should be training no more than four times per week with weights at the start.
Understanding the supplement industry is nowhere near as difficult as many people make it for themselves. When looking to use a whey protein supplement there are just two things you need to look for to see if it suits your goals. Firstly, check that it's got a protein content of 20-30 grams per serving. Science tells us that we cannot store more than this, so there's no need to purchase a product containing any more than that if your goal is to get leaner. Secondly, take a quick look at the carbohydrate content it offers. If it gives you as much carbs as protein then it's designed for weight gain, so if your goal is to get leaner you want a product which checks the box for your protein intake but keeps the carb count fairly low.
You should also look to make the most of your eating habits outside of the gym, don't neglect them and presume that you'll get results just because you're putting the work in with your training. To establish a ball park figure for your daily calorie intake simply multiply your goal body weight, in pounds, by fifteen. Around 30% of your total intake should arrive from protein, with 50% coming in the form of carbohydrates and the remaining 20% arriving from healthy fats. All the macro nutrients will be needed if you are to achieve your long term fitness goals.
While little used techniques like holistic training will provide a modern edge to your training, the main ingredients of learning how to build muscle are as old as the gym itself. Learning how to work out your daily calories and afford your muscles enough time to recover from each session will be as valuable as exercise itself. If you can stick to the four steps shown to you here for the next three months you will see a fantastic change.
About the Author:
Teacher: Great Britain's most followed fitness instructor, Russ Howe PTI shows classes of hundreds how to build muscle online every week. Learn about holistic training with his free guide next.