Are you having trouble building muscle?

Have you been going to the gym regularly for months and haven't been able to put on any serious poundage? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it's time to take a step back and make some plans. Building muscle is not rocket science. There are four key factors that will mean the difference between building muscle and staying skinny. You have to ask yourself these four questions.
Is my diet optimized for building muscle?
It's time to get out of the "3 meals per day" mentality. If you want to gain (or lose) weight you need to feed your body whole foods, six times per day. This means splitting your large meals up and eating about once every three hours. Not only is this good for your metabolism, but your body will use the foods instead of storing them as fat.
Your six meals per day should consist of mainly complex carbohydrates and protein. You should aim for at least thirty grams of protein per meal. High protein foods include lean meat, chicken, fish, egg whites, cheese and milk products. Complex carbohydrates are found in brown rice, brown bread and potatoes. Stay away from foods high in salt and sugar
Should I be using supplements, and when should I be taking them?
If you can afford supplements you should be using them. The basic three you should be considering are protein, carbs and creatine. Whey protein supplements are the fastest known way to deliver quality protein to your muscles. This makes shakes particularly effective after your workouts, when your body is craving protein for muscle re-growth.
There are three key times that supplements should be taken. First thing in the morning, after your workout and before bed. If your diet is up to scratch you shouldn't need supplements at any other time. Don't use supplements to replace meals. Supplements are supplements, not meal replacements.
Am I training hard and not smart?
The biggest mistake the new lifters make is thinking that the more they workout the bigger they'll get. This couldn't be further from the truth! Two basic rules you must remember when it comes to weight training. First, quality is better than quantity. Second, compound exercises are the kings of building muscle.
Compound exercises require at least two joint movements. Big compound exercises are the squat, bench press, wide grip pull up and seated row. These movements recruit many more muscles fibers to use to move the weight. This means more muscle groups are worked, the exercise is more challenging and the potential for growth is much greater.
Generally you should be doing three compound exercises for one isolation exercise. For example your back/biceps workout might consist of wide grip pull ups, seated row, bent over row and standing bicep curl. You might think this is not enough work for your biceps? Wrong. Your biceps are worked heavily in all over these exercises; the bicep curl just finishes them off.
The length of any training sessio n should not exceed one hour. And you only need to train one muscle group once per week. This means a split routine should only need to be three days per week. In fact, most professional bodybuilders only train four times per week. Remember, it's quality not quantity.
Do I get enough rest and recovery time?
When you workout you're not building your muscles, you're breaking them down. The reason why you looked "pumped up" when you're in the gym is because your muscle tissue is swollen and damaged. Your muscles actually grow when you are resting. So in simple terms, no rest equals no muscle growth.
So take it easy when you're not working out. Ease up on the cardio. And make sure you get plenty of sleep. Sleep is the body's number one time for building muscle. This is also why it's important to eat before bed, so your body has the fuel to repair muscle in your sleep.
Simple isn't it?
So you can see that despite what you read in magazines or on the web about building muscle, it's surprisingly simple. If you get the four aspects I have mentioned in this article right, you will build muscle. If you've got any questions, I'm available on the forum on my site. See links in my bio.

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Why aren't I building muscle

Have you ever asked yourself that question? Have you been going to the gym regularly for months and haven't been able to put on any serious poundage? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it's time to take a step back and make some plans. Building muscle is not rocket science. There are four key factors that will mean the difference between building muscle or staying skinny. You have to ask yourself these four questions.
Is my diet optimized for building muscle?
It's time to get out of the "3 meals per day" mentality. If you want to gain (or lose) weight you need to feed your body whole foods, six times per day. This means splitting your large meals up and eating about once every three hours. Not only is this good for your metabolism, but your body will use the foods instead of storing them as fat.
Your six meals per day should consist of mainly complex carbohydrates and protein. You should aim for at least thirty grams of protein per meal. High protein foods inc lude lean meat, chicken, fish, egg whites, cheese and milk products. Complex carbohydrates are found in brown rice, brown bread and potatoes. Stay away from foods high in salt and sugar
Should I be using supplements, and when should I be taking them?
If you can afford supplements you should be using them. The basic three you should be considering are protein, carbs and creatine. Whey protein supplements are the fastest known way to deliver quality protein to your muscles. This makes shakes particularly effective after your workouts, when your body is craving protein for muscle re-growth.
There are three key times that supplements should be taken. First thing in the morning, after your workout and before bed. If your diet is up to scratch you shouldn't need supplements at any other time. Don't use supplements to replace meals. Supplements are supplements, not meal replacements.
Am I training hard and not smart?
The biggest mistake the new lifters make is thinking that the more they workout the bigger they'll get. This couldn't be further from the truth! Two basic rules you must remember when it comes to weight training. First, quality is better than quantity. Second, compound exercises are the kings of building muscle.
Compound exercises require at least two joint movements. Big compound exercises are the squat, bench press, wide grip pull up and seated row. These movements recruit many more muscles fibers to use to move the weight. This means more muscle groups are worked, the exercise is more challenging and the potential for growth is much greater.
Generally you should be doing three compound exercises for one isolation exercise. For example your back/biceps workout might consist of wide grip pull ups, seated row, bent over row and standing bicep curl. You might think this is not enough work for your biceps? Wrong. Your biceps are worked heavily in all over these exercises; the bicep curl just finishes them off.
The length of any training session should not exceed one hour. And you only need to train one muscle group once per week. This means a split routine should only need to be three days per week. In fact, most professional bodybuilders only train four times per week. Remember, it's quality not quantity.
Do I get enough rest and recovery time?
When you workout you're not building your muscles, you're breaking them down. The reason why you looked "pumped up" when you're in the gym is because your muscle tissue is swollen and damaged. Your muscles actually grow when you are resting. So in simple terms, no rest equals no muscle growth.
So take it easy when you're not working out. Ease up on the cardio. And make sure you get plenty of sleep. Sleep is the body's number one time for building muscle. This is also why it's important to eat before bed, so your body has the fuel to repair muscle in your sleep.
Simple isn't it?
So you can see that despite what you read in magazines or on the web about building muscle, it's surprisingly simple. If you get the four aspects I have mentioned in this article right, you will build muscle. If you've got any questions, I'm available on the forum on my site. See links in my bio.

Top 3 Secrets To Build A Huge Muscle >>> Click Here

Teenage Bodybuilding

Teenage bodybuilding is becoming ever more popular. Teenagers have always wanted to impress, and greater numbers than ever are looking to do this by having a spectacular body, with muscles to match. Finding the right advice for building muscle can be difficult for any age group, so here we give you some great teenage bodybuilding advice.
Tip 1
There is one area where teenage bodybuilding is no different from any other, and that is in the need to have a coherent plan. Do your research, decide exactly where you want to go with bodybuilding, and design a workout routine to fit. Just joining a gym and lifting weights without any clear goal in mind will be wasteful and counter productive. Work out a plan and focus on it.
Tip 2
Don't miss meals. A lot of teenagers are constantly on the move, and their diets and eating habits are often erratic. A vital part of teenage bodybuilding advice is to create a consistent diet plan and stick to it. Your workout plan will not achieve optimum results with a high enough calorific intake, and without enough of the right nutrients being absorbed.
Tip 3
Never go at it too hard. A teenage body is still developing, growing, and going through changes of hormones before becoming an adult. Teenage bodybuilding needs to be done with care, as the body may well have another short period of growth or weight gain to go through. Be patient with your bodybuilding, as you don't yet know the exact form your adult body will take!
Tip 4
Take in plenty of protein! Teenage bodybuilding is similar to any age group bodybuilding in this crucial aspect - protein is absolutely essential for muscle growth and repair. There is simply no way to get your muscles to grow if they are not fed enough protein, and your workouts could even have a detrimental effect, as your muscles will not have the nutrients they need to repair properly.
Take on board these teenage bodybuilding tips, and you will be starting your development in the right way.

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A Look At Bodybuilding As A Sport

Competitive bodybuilding is a sport in which athletes attempt to develop and maintain the perfect muscular body. As bodybuilding competitors show off their physique and perform with a number of poses, they are judged by a qualified panel of experts who will render the final decision as to the winner.
When it comes to bodybuilding, the appearance of a competitors physique is much more important than how much he/she can lift. The sport of bodybuilding, therefore, should not be confused with or compared to a competition of strength. Instead, it is one of visual appeal. Bodybuilding is open to both men and women with specialized categories for each.
For those who regularly compete in bodybuilding competitions, or are interested in participating, the main strategy for contest preparation includes a combination of resistance weight training, a customized nutrition plan and plenty of rest. Resistance training is very important in bodybuilding as it is this that causes an increase in muscle size. The importance of nutrition comes into play as muscles grow, are injured and repaired during the bodybuilding process. In order for the body to properly heal itself, a customized nutrition plan is a must. Generally, bodybuilding competitors will eat a larger number of meals per day, but in smaller quantities. For instance, rather than eating three normal meals a day, a bodybuilding competitor may divide their food up into six or seven small meals.
Because of the strenuous regimen required of any bodybuilder, athletes often enlist the help of a nutritionist and a professional trainer. These individuals can work together to make sure that the athlete is training properly and also receiving the proper amount of nutrition. Rather than having to figure out how much to eat, when to eat and how often to work out, the trainer and nutritionist will handle all of the details while the athlete concentrates on building muscle.
At the end of the day, which is often exhausting for many bodybuilding competitors, rest is essential. Not only for the obvious reasons, but it is during rest that the muscle growth occurs. Without eight hours of sleep every night, some bodybuilding competitors find it difficult to regain energy and rebuild strength after an exhausting workout. In addition, many competitors find that an afternoon nap may further increase their body's ability to increase muscle.
Individuals who are interested in entering into the world of bodybuilding should consult with local trainers in their area. If there are no trainers to be found, a stop at the local gym may provide answers as to finding a qualified trainer. Bodybuilding is a sport that requires a lot of dedication and even more hard work, which is evident in the physique of most competitors.
The information in this article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be used in conjunction with, or in place of, professional medical, nutritional or training advice regarding bodybuilding as a sport or as a hobby. If you are considering a venture into the world of bodybuilding, you must consult with a physician prior to beginning any exercise and/or nutritional regimen.

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The Best Bodybuilding Gain Mass Muscle Supplements

If you are interested in bodybuilding, it is important that you learn about the best bodybuilding gain mass muscle supplements that you need. Without these supplements, you will find that your bodybuilding efforts are not only quite slow, but also quite painful. Here is a breakdown of what your muscles require:
Protein: Protein is essential to muscle growth. Furthermore, not just any protein will do, because protein comes in a variety of qualities, with a variety of physical make ups. You need to learn as much about protein as you possibly can if you are serious about bodybuilding, but understand that protein isn't the only best bodybuilding gain mass muscle supplement that is important.
Amino Acids: Amino Acids are important, and you will hear about them. These are the building blocks of protein, and important to metabolism. While they are important, the chances are very good that if you are getting enough of the right kinds of proteins, you are getting the right am ount of amino acids that you need as well. Learn more about protein.
Creatine: Creatine helps you have better workouts. It enhances your performance. Creatine is not considered to be illegal in any sport, and most bodybuilding trainers will recommend that you include creatine in your nutrition plan.
Glutamine: Glutamine, also known as L-Glutamine, is essential to bodybuilding. Without Glutamine, you will lose muscle, and it also aids in muscle recovery after a workout. Without the proper amount of Glutamine, glutamine will be supplied to other parts of the body, instead of to the muscles where you really need them, as a bodybuilder.
Vitamins: Vitamins are incredibly important - not just for bodybuilding, for but your general good health. We don't get the vitamins that we need in the foods that we eat. Make sure that you are getting at least the recommended daily allowance, and also do a little research to find out which vitamins bodybuilders need more of.
Beta-Hydroxy Beta Methylbutyrate: Also known as HMB. HMB is a new supplement on the market, and the bodybuilding world is very excited about it. HMB is important in the synthesis process of muscle tissue; it burns fat, and helps to build muscle faster with exercise. It essentially causes the muscles to use a higher rate of the protein that you are providing.
There are, of course, other supplements and nutrients that you need in order to reach your bodybuilding goals. However, these are the best bodybuilding gain mass muscle supplements in existence, and it is important that you learn as much about these supplements as you can, and include them in your nutritional plan.
Too often, people mistakenly think that protein is the key, but it is really a high amount of protein, combined with these other nutrients and working the muscles through exercise, that does the trick. Again, bodybuilding is more than working out. It is a combination of working the muscles, and feed ing the muscles properly. Make sure that you take the time out of the gym to learn more about the best bodybuilding gain mass muscle supplements that you need.

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5 Tips For Bodybuilding At College

When you come to move into college it can be an exciting and some testing time, especially if you are serious about your weight training and bodybuilding. As you'll no longer have access to your favourite gym or all the healthy food you'd normally be able to have at home and you'll probably find that sharing fridges and kitchens can be a headache.
You'll need to be dedicated and motivated
It might take you a week or two to get settled in and it can be daunting starting at college, however once you find your feet, if you have high levels of commitment and drive you'll have no problems keeping in shape and getting that perfect toned body. However there are a number of essentials tips that'll help you on your way.
Set goals and plan ahead
Before you start college it is essential that you set out clear and specific goals and devise a training program for the year and make a commitment to stick to it. Don't forget this includes your nutrition and diet as well as yo ur workouts.
Get the right nutrition
If possible try and stay in self catered accommodation so that you can have maximum control over your nutrition and ensure that you're eating the right foods. If not you are going to have more of a difficult job, as college food in catered accommodation is average at best and most certainly not ideal for packing on muscle and burning off fat. If you find yourself in this situation don't over do your eating on the college food, especially if its food your body isn't used to, instead save up for a small fridge for your room. Budget for some healthy food week and stock up your fridge with good nutritious food which your body will thank you for.
Stock up on protein shakes and healthy snacks
Before you go to your lectures or classes each day, make up a healthy lunch for yourself so that you can avoid the canteen, take some protein shakes or snakes as well to ensure you don't go hungry and your body stays fuelled. If you have to go into the canteen, don't be tempted by the unhealthy food, it'll just undo all the good work you've been doing down the gym. Try to stick to the food options you'd normally go for such as chicken, eggs, pasta, tuna, salads and cottage cheese.
Find your local gyms
As soon as you get there spend some time orientating yourself with the area you are staying, find the local gyms, have a look around and see which ones are best suited to your needs. Speak to some of the instructors and find out the best routes for running so you can get your cardio training in. Don't forget to check the opening times of the gyms and their prices, many will give you a student discount on membership, so make sure you ask.
Form good habits and avoid the booze
Watch your habits and try and form good ones, make sure you get enough sleep and organise your time so that you get your work and training done, as well as making the most of the social activities. Try to avoid the drinking as you'll be throwing your training away; if you are just bodybuilding for fun and to look and feel good don't feel bad about having a few drinks at the week end, but remember drink in moderation and be responsible. If you are bodybuilding for competition then there is no way any alcoholic drinks should be getting past your lips. As alcohol lowers your testosterone, dehydrates and will cause you to put on fat. Abstain from drinking and your friends will soon respect your for discipline and commitment.

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5 Reasons Why Alcohol Will Destroy Your Muscle Gains

I receive emails every single day from aspiring muscle-builders all over the world, and one of the most common questions I'm asked is "does drinking really affect the muscle growth process?" I'm sorry to say it, but yes, too much alcohol will almost definitely have a significant negative impact on your muscle-building results. Alcohol is far more harmful than most people think, and it's very important that you understand how this drug (yes, alcohol is a drug) is affecting your progress. This is not an anti-drug speech, but if you're serious about achieving a truly impressive physique, you should definitely be aware of the 5 main ways that alcohol is slowing down your gains
1) It negatively affects protein synthesis.
Protein synthesis is the process where amino acids are joined together to form complete proteins. Excessive alcohol consumption slows this process down by up to 20%, and since your muscles are made up of protein, you can see how this is a problem.
2) It lower s testosterone levels and increases estrogen.
Testosterone is the most important muscle-building hormone in your body. One of the limiting factors that determines how much muscle a person can gain is their level of free-flowing testosterone.
3) It causes dehydration.
The kidneys must filter very large amounts of water in order to break down the alcohol, and this can result in severe dehydration within the body. Water plays an absolutely crucial role in the muscle-building process, and being even slightly dehydrated is a recipe for disaster. The muscles alone are comprised of 70% water.
4) It depletes the body of vitamins and minerals.
Alcohol consumption causes vitamins A, C, the B's, calcium, zinc and phosphorus to all be drained at rapid rates. Vitamins and minerals keep every little process in your body functioning properly, and many of these processes involve muscle growth and maintenance.
5) It increases fat storage.
With 7 empty calories per gram, a lcohol can actually be quite fattening. Alcohol also disrupts the Kreb's Cycle, which plays an important role in fat burning.
It's important to have fun in life, but too much fun can lead to problems. If you're serious about achieving significant muscle-building results, you definitely need to monitor your intake of alcohol and make sure that you are consuming it in moderation. A few drinks here and there shouldn't be a problem, but if you find yourself drinking every weekend you can almost certainly kiss your muscle gains goodbye.
If you do decide to go out and party, make sure to drink plenty of water and to properly nourish yourself with vitamins/minerals and a protein rich meal.
I don't recommend revolving your entire life around your muscle-building program, so don't be afraid to go out and have a good time once in a while. Just make sure to keep your drinking nights infrequent (no more than once a month) and properly nourish yourself to lessen its effects. As long as you monitor what you're doing you can achieve an impressive physique and have a social life at the same time.

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