Muscle Building FAQ – 2
Muscle Building FAQ – 2
Muscle Building FAQ
There’s a lot of talk about creatine, is it any good?
Yes it is good, it’s very good. Creatine increases energy production in the muscle cells so you can lift heavier and for longer. Creatine helps you to quickly gain weight making you stronger, and the more you can lift means the more muscle fibres you can stimulate for muscle growth. It pulls fluid into the muscle cells making you look bigger.
What type of protein powder is the best?
There is no real best when it comes to protein powders but Whey protein isolate (WPI) is a fast acting protein and is better than whey protein concentrate because it is purer and has a higher BV (biological value) around 170 compared to 104 for the concentrate which means that the WPI can be used more efficiently by the body. The higher the BV the better. Egg Protein has a BV of 100. Milk protein i.e. whey and casein has a BV of 85 and Beef Proteins about 75.
When should I take protein shakes?
You should take protein shakes (whey protein) before and after a training session i.e. about 30 minutes before and within 1 hour after. You can take a casein protein last thing at night for a steady flow of amino acids for growth and repair while you sleep. On non-training days you can take the whey protein anytime.
Should I eat anything before bed?
You should not eat anything before bed because it could keep you awake all night, especially if you eat a carbohydrate food. Having said that, you can take a casein protein supplement without your sleep being affected.
How can I speed up recovery?
You can speed up recovery by taking a creatine supplement immediately after a workout and about 40 minutes later take a whey protein supplement, then within an hour after that have a highly nutritious real meal supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Vitamin c and e is great for fast recovery.
Should I wear a lifting belt?
Some people find lifting belts great while others can’t stand them. I would recommend you wear a lifting belt on your heavy sets and on your heavy sets only, like squats, dead lifts, shoulder presses and bent rows.
Should I wear gloves?
You don’t really need gloves. It’s a matter of personal preference. Some people will tell you that gloves help them lift more weight, while others will tell you that it detracts from their lifting strength. I like to wear gloves because they give me a better grip on the bar.
How many reps for building strength?
To build strength you need to concentrate on low reps with very very heavy weights. Reps should be in the 2 to 6 range and the weight should be heavy enough to only allow you perform 2 to 6 reps. You should always have help on standby when you are lifting like this.
How do I bring out my abs?
To bring out your abs you need to watch your diet closer and cut out all the junk with the empty high calories like cakes and sodas. You could do 3 exercises in tri set style eg: Crunches 1 x 15 then hanging leg raises 1 x 15 then onto lying leg raises 1 x 15 repeat 4 times dropping the reps i.e. 12,10,8s. Rest between sets is as long as it takes you to walk over to the abs exercise area or about 20 seconds rest. Read more
Build Mass
Row and Grow – Blast fat and build muscle with this all-in-one workout
Build Muscle Mass
There’s never a waiting list for the rowing machine. But if you use the right form and regimen, this floor skimmer can torch more calories than a treadmill, build your upper body into a broad V shape, and injury-proof your lower back. To make it work, you first need to find a groove, says Bill Manning, an assistant rowing coach at Harvard University. “If you don’t have rhythm, you’ll tire quickly and won’t yield serious output.” Follow Manning’s tips and workouts to reap the benefits of rowing.
Your Perfect-Form Primer
1. Sit with your legs bent, shins nearly vertical. Lean your upper body toward your knees but keep your back and shoulders straight. Hold your arms in front of you and grab the handle with an overhand grip, wrists flat.
2. Without moving your arms or leaning backward, push off with your legs, driving your feet into the stirrups while keeping your back straight.
3. When the handle is over your knees, pull the bar toward your lower chest. Lean your upper body back until your shoulders are behind your pelvis. Draw your elbows behind you and continue to push with your legs.
4. As the bar touches your lower chest, squeeze your shoulder blades together. Relax your arms, let the cable gently pull your arms back toward the flywheel, and lean forward at the hips. Once the handle passes your extended knees, bend them to slide forward on the seat.
Common mistakes, like hunching your shoulders and leaning too far back, diminish pulling power and strain your back.
The Workouts
Day 1 The Pyramid
Row hard (90 percent of your maximum) for 5 strokes and then do 5 easy (60 percent). Now row 10 hard and 10 easy. Repeat but increase your count to 15 each, then 20, 25, and 30. Next, go back down the pyramid, decreasing by intervals of 5. Repeat when you’re able.
Day 2 The 1-to-1
Row hard for 1 minute and then do 1 minute of easy strokes. Repeat, alternating hard and easy, for 15 to 20 minutes. Gradually increase your time to a half hour. Aim for 18 to 20 strokes per minute. After several sessions, shoot for 30 strokes per minute. Read more
