Increase Testosterone
Instantly Accelerate Your Muscle Gains By Naturally Boosting Your Testosterone Levels!
Increase Testerone Naturally
If there’s one substance in the body that could be considered the “Holy Grail” of muscle growth, testosterone would be it.
It is without a doubt the most important hormone involved in building muscle, and is one of the limiting factors that determines how much muscle a person can gain.
The reality is that we all posses different levels of this powerful hormone, and aside from poking yourself with a chemically enhanced needle, it can be difficult to control these levels.
In this installment I’m going to cover some basic, scientifically backed methods that will allow you to naturally raise your body’s levels of testosterone. These increased levels will almost certainly have a positive impact on your resulting muscle gains. In addition to increasing your lean muscle mass, raised testosterone levels also have the following benefits…
- Decreased body fat levels
- Increased sex drive and sexual endurance
- Improved mood
- Decreased levels of “bad” cholesterol
Now, I certainly do not claim that using these methods will result in “steroid-like effects” or that they will allow you to pack on an extra 20 pounds of muscle in 2 months, but they will certainly help to speed up your overall progress both in and out of the gym.
Anyone who tries to tell you that you can achieve the same effects as steroids by using anything other than steroids is completely full of it. Don’t believe the hype!
Before we get into the actual methods of increasing testosterone levels, let’s first cover some quick biology so that we’re all on the same page. Here is how the body produces testosterone:
1) The brain releases LH (luteinizing hormone) and this “tells” the body to start producing testosterone.
2) The adrenal glands release DHEA into the bloodstream.
3) LH and DHEA travel together to the testes where testosterone production begins.
4) Testosterone is then released into the bloodstream.
So without further ado, here are some basic methods you can implement in order to naturally raise your body’s levels of testosterone and take advantage of all of its amazing benefits. I’ve broken this up into 3 separate categories: training, diet and lifestyle.
Training
1) Place the majority of your emphasis in the gym on big, basic compound movements.
These basic exercises will place your body under the greatest amount of stress in the gym, and this will force your body to secrete higher amounts of testosterone. Isolation exercises can have their place, but compound movements should be the cornerstone of your workouts.
2) Always train with full effort and intensity.
Whether you’re performing a compound movement or an isolation movement, you must always push yourself hard in the gym by taking all of your sets to the point of concentric muscular failure. The more stress you place on your body in the gym (without crossing the point of recovery), the greater your testosterone production will be.
3) Train your legs equally as hard as your upper body.
Leg training can be extremely difficult to execute with a high level of intensity, but the rewards are great when you do. Push yourself hard on basic leg exercises like the squat and leg press in order to stimulate the release of testosterone.
Diet
1) Increase your consumption of Essential Fatty Acids.
When most people structure their muscle-building diet, they almost always follow the idea of “high protein and low-fat”. Big mistake!
Fats play a critical role in the muscle-building process and have a direct impact on testosterone levels. You should be consuming about 25% of your daily calories from healthy, unsaturated fat sources such as peanuts, avocados and fish as well as nutritional oils like flax seed, olive and canola.
2) Reduce your intake of soy.
Soy protein raises your body’s levels of estrogen (the main female hormone). When the body’s production of estrogen increases, testosterone levels plummet. Avoid soy products as much as possible in order to keep your estrogen levels low and testosterone levels high.
3) Limit alcohol consumption.
Alcohol has been shown to have quite a dramatic effect on testosterone levels, so try to limit your “binge drinking” nights and keep your alcohol consumption in moderation.
4) Increase your consumption of cruciferous vegetables.
These vegetables have been shown to have a significant estrogen-reducing effect, thereby raising testosterone. Some good choices are broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, turnips, cabbage and brussel sprouts.
5) Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
Rather than eating the traditional “3 square meals a day”, try consuming 5-7 smaller meals spaced out every 2-3 hours. This will keep your body in an anabolic state at all times and will keep testosterone levels peaked.
Lifestyle
1) Lower your levels of stress.
Stress contributes to the release of a highly catabolic hormone called cortisol which has a highly negative effect on testosterone levels.
2) Increase your sexual activity.
Sexual stimulation causes the body to increase the production of oxytocin which then increases endorphin production (the “feel-good” chemical), and this has a direct impact on testosterone secretion.
3) Get adequate sleep every night.
Failing to provide your body with proper sleep each night will raise cortisol levels, and this in turn will decrease your testosterone production. A solid, restful 8 hours of sleep every night will keep your cortisol levels in check.
Wrapping It Up
There you have it, a few basic, easy-to-follow guidelines for increasing your testosterone levels naturally. Read more
Muscle Stimulator
Electronic Muscle Stimulator Device
Stimulator Muscle
Are All Electronic Muscle Stimulator Devices the Same?
Many wonder what the difference is between the different types of electronic Muscle Stimulators. The two types of EMS devices are TENS and Russian Muscle Stimulation. Different devices can do different things such as stimulate sensory nerve endings rather than just muscles.
EMS
Electronic Muscle Stimulation uses a relatively low voltage that targets motor nerves in order to stimulate them. What this does is cause a contraction of the muscle. The muscle then relaxes between shocks and then contracts again when the shock occurs. This keeps circulation going and better circulation means oxygen and nutrients can be carried to the muscles much easier.
TENS
This device is also a type of Electronic Muscle Stimulator, but it behaves in a different manner than the standard EMS device. This one is used to stimulate sensory nerve endings in order to control pain. The pain signals are blocked and endorphin production is stimulated. We have all probably heard at one time or another that endorphins block pain. They are kind of like the body’s natural morphine in painful situations. These systems are not found on the open market because they are primarily used by physicians to treat a plethora of problems. Some of those issues involve:
- Preventing atrophy of the muscles when they have not been used in a while due to paralysis, being bedridden, or due to severe injury.
- Strengthening the nerves in certain groups of muscles
- Muscle spasm and muscle pain reduction
These devices have been successfully used within the medical community for quite some time. Electrodes connected to adhesive pads are stuck to the skin and the electric pulses are sent through the skin to the muscles via these pads. This makes TENS very effective in pain relief because of the production of endorphins. TENS has also been used in the treatment of arthritis, back pain, labor pain, shingles, sciatica, postoperative pain, and cancer pain.
Russian Muscle Stimulation
The Russian Muscle Stimulation device is also an EMS used for nerve stimulation. The electric currents that result are stronger and they penetrate deeper into the muscles. Sometimes the contractions of the muscles and nerves can be quite painful because they are more complex than with other EMS devices.
Overall benefits
When used with exercise, EMS devices can be quite helpful. For those simply wanting to use them to get those six-pack abs, the EMS device should be used in combination with exercise. There are also areas of the body that may not be reached through exercise and an EMS device can stimulate those areas, which helps promote overall physical health. However, the EMS device can’t produce a rock solid body alone, but what it can do is act as a great companion to other effective lifestyle changes.
Do Electronic Muscle Stimulators Work?
Electronic muscle stimulators, also known as EMS devices, are machines that aid people in toning their muscles. These types of machines can help an individual keep their body toned, in shape and according to some, enable them to lose weight. They are also used by physical therapists and health care professionals for the relief of minor joint pains, muscle aches and stress. For individuals who suffer from partial to full paralysis or have hard time moving, electronic muscle stimulation via these machines can also keep their muscles from atrophying.
Outside of rehabilitation, some body builders and athletes claim that EMS devices can help build muscle mass.
There is some debate as to if these electronic muscle stimulators are actually effective in helping maintain the shape and contours of the human body. Enthusiasts say that EMS devices definitely work and are the perfect compliment to an intensive workout. Others say that while electronic muscle stimulators can help strengthen muscles, it won’t give true muscle definition.
FDA regulation
The FDA technically recognizes electronic muscle stimulators as a “device” with therapeutic and cosmetic implications. While some mainstream consumer varieties of muscle stimulators exist, many high end EMS devices are used by therapists to keep muscles from atrophying after severe injury.
Overall Health and Safety
There is no shortage of online companies that will sell products that provide electronic muscle stimulation. Many such companies claim that they are the epitome of electronic muscle stimulators, but beware; the wrong type of device can be potentially dangerous. Some people have experienced pain, irritation, bruising, burns and shocks — electrocution has even been sited. This is why it is extremely important to make sure that the EMS device you are investigating is FDA approved.
What to look for in quality EMS devices
Although electronic muscle stimulation is often used by doctors and medical practitioners to increase blood circulation, reputable online and offline businesses can and do supply electronic muscle stimulators to the general public. More often than not, body builders and athletes seek to supplement their workout with consumer grade EMS devices.
When looking for an electronic muscle stimulator, they seek one with versatility and enough voltage to really aid with muscle growth. They can also use the EMS devices to help treat sore or injured areas of the body.
Quality EMS devices would also be cost effective without risking the health or well being of an individual because of cut corners.
Top EMS machines go for $60-$150 dollars consumer grade and come with electrodes.
If however, you have had a serious injury and wish to use the device for therapeutic reasons, you should consult with a certified health care professional before use.
An EMS device may not be the cure all weight loss item, but its wonderful applications in regards to pain management, stress reduction and muscle improvement make it a most noteworthy investment.
Just remember that the device delivers electronic currents and if mishandled can cause harm, even if it is FDA assured.
Are Electronic Muscle Stimulators Safe?
Electronic muscle stimulators are being used on a more consistent basis not only in doctor’s offices and clinics, but also in most physiotherapy rooms and clinics. Used in beauty salons, fitness and health centers, and by physiotherapists treating sports injuries and other muscle and nerve ailments, the electronic muscle stimulator has become an essential therapy tool.
The electronic muscle stimulator isn’t just for treating muscle sprains and back muscle pain, however. These instruments are generally called TENS machines (Transcutaneous Electrical Muscle Stimulation) and are a drug-free way to manage all sorts of muscle and nerve pain. The instrument uses a low frequency and mild voltage to provide a tingling sensation rather than an electric jolt to provide a rhythmic, deep pulsating sensation within the affected nerve and muscle areas. By applying the electrodes directly to the pain area, the TENS machine can quickly provide a high level of pain relief and can, in most cases, remove the pain altogether after just a few sessions. Chronic pain can be alleviated during these sessions because of the way that the TENS machine interrupts the pain transmitters sending signals to the brain.
Anyone who can do a low-level exercise routine can benefit from an electronic muscle stimulator session and it’s perfectly safe for most people. Some people should not use a TENS machine if they have pace makers, are pregnant, have heart problems, have metal pins or plates in their body, have diabetes or high blood pressure, or have cancerous lesions. As with any form of new treatment regimens, it’s absolutely essential that you talk things over with your doctor before starting any treatment.
Electronic muscle stimulators work by sending tiny electrical impulses through electrodes set on the affected area of the body. As the electrical signals pass through the skin and contact with the nerves, the pain receptors in the nerve fibers are temporarily blocked, shutting off the pain transmitters to the brain. The electrical muscle stimulator also promotes the release of endorphins in the body, which are chemicals that act as the body’s natural pain blocking mechanism. People recovering from strokes and those who’ve had muscle and nerve damage find that the electronic muscle stimulator treatments have a profound effect on the way that their bodies recuperate. Read more
