Stop Struggling To Build Muscle

By Russ Howe


Most people get stuck when trying to figure out how to build muscle and in today's article we give you two simple, proven steps which have stood the test of time. This query is second only to people wondering how to lose weight.

The two rules in this article will help you get some results fast.

If you have been training consistently but not seeing any results or if you have never picked up a weight in your life but would like to try, the two proven points below will help you get your progress on the right track.

* Sort out your diet

* Supplements are useful but not essential

By laying down the solid foundations of your nutrition and diet you will put yourself ahead of about 90% of the members at your local gym. The sad truth is most people pay no attention to their diet and have no structure to what the do, they just turn up at the gym, do their workout and hope for the best.

The first port of call is to correct your eating habits. Even if you think your diet is okay right now, if you're not getting results you need to accept that it isn't okay. Building muscle isn't just about piling on weight by eating whatever you want.

There is no one 'best' way to diet. Despite all the trainers out there trying to sell their 'best ever plan' to you, there are numerous ways to get results in the gym. You simply have to get the basics right and that's what we're going to show you today. One of the best diets around is known as the 3-5-2 plan. To work out how many calories per day you need to pack on some size, multiply your target weight (in pounds) by fifteen. So a 180 pound guy would require around 2700 kcals in total.

The 3-5-2 system gets it's name because it means 30% protein, 50% carbohydrates and 20% fats. It's good knowing what total calorie target to aim for, but it's even better knowing exactly how many grams of each macro nutrient to look for.

Multiply your 2700 calories by 30% and you will see how many of your daily calories come from protein. In this case it's 810. To work out carbs and fat simply do the same equation with the relevant percentages.

To convert these calories into grams, so you know exactly how much food to eat, take your 810 calories and divide it by four. This tells you that you need 202 grams of protein per day in total. For carbs take your calories and divide by four, and for fats take your calories and divide by nine.

When it comes to bodybuilding supplements there is a massive gulf between manufacturers and customers. Many supplements survive purely on the confusion and doubt surrounding what they actually do. Too many people put far too much importance on their range of supplements but the truth is they need to be viewed as an extra, not as the main event.

Two very valuable, proven supplements when engaging in a muscle building diet and program are creatine monohydrate and whey protein. Both are proven and both do their job. The protein is especially useful as it allows you to reach your calorie target easier throughout the day, too.

Okay, you are now clued up on both dieting and supplements. It's time to hit the gym and get some results for yourself! The next time someone asks you how to build muscle remember the basics are the key to success.




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