Ask any fitness trainer in any gym and they will tell you that despite the massive advancements made in science and nutrition over the last two decades the majority of gym users are still totally confused when it comes to learning how to build muscle or improve their overall physique.
Should you consider yourself to be one of the many people in need of some help with their fitness journey, you are in the right place today.
One of the main problems in the health and fitness industry is that there is so much conflicting information out there it becomes impossible to commit to anything. There is not one way to build a better body, there are numerous ways, and if you listen to everything you are told at your local gym you'll probably end up more lost than when you started in the first place!
So don't be fooled. There are a number of ways to build a better body, there is not just one right way of training and a million wrong ways. Realizing that fact will help you get past the first stumbling block you'll encounter on your path to building a better body, erasing the self doubt in what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Today we shall take a look at some simple rules which, if applied over time, will provide a rock solid foundation for you to build upon. We have used these techniques with seasoned athletes, gym newcomers and reknowned hard gainers alike. To put it bluntly, they work!
The first step takes place not in the gym but at home before you go to your next workout. We're talking about your diet plan, of course.
So before we head off for our next workout we need to your next workout session is figure out how many calories you need to eat each day for maximum results. The worst part about this segment is that most people think it's going to involve some sort of rocket science or magic formula. It doesn't, it's actually pretty easy to work this out for yourself.
Write down the weight you want to reach in pounds and then multiply it by 15. Congratulations, you've done it. Now you have your daily calorie target and yes, it was that simple! If you'd like to build up slowly swap out the multiplication of 15 for a multiplication of 12 instead.
Now that the base target is in place we can begin work. You're already ahead of the masses, who don't take the time to do this calculation in their entire fitness lives.
Now we have to take a quick look into your training program. Your workout plan, if you're like most gym users, will be in desperate need of two things. Most notably a specific goal and consistent progression. Without either your plan will fail. Focus on the compound exercises and try to land each set between 8-12 reps, your perfect zone for muscle growth, this will get you on the right track.
That is the foundation of a good program but there are a couple of other things you can do to further enhance your results.
Rest is just as important as training when you are trying to build. Probably less than 5% of the members at your local gym get their rest right and that's one of the main factors in their lack of real results.
Make it your goal to go to the gym no more than three days each week if you are new to training. If you have already been training for over two months you can increase that to four sessions. You could train with weights up to six days per week by splitting each day to avoid ever training the same muscle group twice in succession, but most people are happy with a four day split routine. Those other three days are very important to your rest and recovery.
We also need to quickly mention the importance of sleep when it comes to getting stronger and more muscular. You've probably been told countless times that you should get eight hours rest every night but how often do you actually do it? If you are like most people the answer is not often enough. Your body recovers from your day's work while you sleep and if you don't give it that basic need your results will suffer for it.
Contrary to what some people believe, you do not grow bigger or stronger while you are lifting weights. The adaptations happen when you are resting. Your body produces growth hormone while you are in a state of deep sleep and if you never allow this to happen you are ripping yourself off.
If you are like the overwhelming amount of gym users struggling for results then you are now in a massively advantageous position. The next time you stroll into your gym or local fitness centre you can do so safe in the knowledge that you officially know how to build muscle and are about to make giant leaps on your previous efforts. You don't necessarily need a personal trainer to guide you, you just need to learn the basic rules.
Should you consider yourself to be one of the many people in need of some help with their fitness journey, you are in the right place today.
One of the main problems in the health and fitness industry is that there is so much conflicting information out there it becomes impossible to commit to anything. There is not one way to build a better body, there are numerous ways, and if you listen to everything you are told at your local gym you'll probably end up more lost than when you started in the first place!
So don't be fooled. There are a number of ways to build a better body, there is not just one right way of training and a million wrong ways. Realizing that fact will help you get past the first stumbling block you'll encounter on your path to building a better body, erasing the self doubt in what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Today we shall take a look at some simple rules which, if applied over time, will provide a rock solid foundation for you to build upon. We have used these techniques with seasoned athletes, gym newcomers and reknowned hard gainers alike. To put it bluntly, they work!
The first step takes place not in the gym but at home before you go to your next workout. We're talking about your diet plan, of course.
So before we head off for our next workout we need to your next workout session is figure out how many calories you need to eat each day for maximum results. The worst part about this segment is that most people think it's going to involve some sort of rocket science or magic formula. It doesn't, it's actually pretty easy to work this out for yourself.
Write down the weight you want to reach in pounds and then multiply it by 15. Congratulations, you've done it. Now you have your daily calorie target and yes, it was that simple! If you'd like to build up slowly swap out the multiplication of 15 for a multiplication of 12 instead.
Now that the base target is in place we can begin work. You're already ahead of the masses, who don't take the time to do this calculation in their entire fitness lives.
Now we have to take a quick look into your training program. Your workout plan, if you're like most gym users, will be in desperate need of two things. Most notably a specific goal and consistent progression. Without either your plan will fail. Focus on the compound exercises and try to land each set between 8-12 reps, your perfect zone for muscle growth, this will get you on the right track.
That is the foundation of a good program but there are a couple of other things you can do to further enhance your results.
Rest is just as important as training when you are trying to build. Probably less than 5% of the members at your local gym get their rest right and that's one of the main factors in their lack of real results.
Make it your goal to go to the gym no more than three days each week if you are new to training. If you have already been training for over two months you can increase that to four sessions. You could train with weights up to six days per week by splitting each day to avoid ever training the same muscle group twice in succession, but most people are happy with a four day split routine. Those other three days are very important to your rest and recovery.
We also need to quickly mention the importance of sleep when it comes to getting stronger and more muscular. You've probably been told countless times that you should get eight hours rest every night but how often do you actually do it? If you are like most people the answer is not often enough. Your body recovers from your day's work while you sleep and if you don't give it that basic need your results will suffer for it.
Contrary to what some people believe, you do not grow bigger or stronger while you are lifting weights. The adaptations happen when you are resting. Your body produces growth hormone while you are in a state of deep sleep and if you never allow this to happen you are ripping yourself off.
If you are like the overwhelming amount of gym users struggling for results then you are now in a massively advantageous position. The next time you stroll into your gym or local fitness centre you can do so safe in the knowledge that you officially know how to build muscle and are about to make giant leaps on your previous efforts. You don't necessarily need a personal trainer to guide you, you just need to learn the basic rules.
About the Author:
Bio: Russ Howe PTI is a popular fitness coach. Learn how to build muscle with our new video guide giving the 5 steps to a more powerful physique and the best shoulder building exercises.
