Monday, March 15, 2010

How to build big muscle

Not everybody wants to compete in a bodybuilding contest. But whether you want to compete or not you know one thing, you want big muscles. Muscle building tips in this article are meant for the average person.

1. Eat right: Of all the tips for building muscle, this one is perhaps the most important aspect of muscle building but which most people get wrong. The most important food group is protein, though you should not neglect the other groups. Aim for 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight.

2. Mental attitude: This is also of vital importance too. Muscle building, or bodybuilding if you like, is a journey not a destination. You will hit plateaus along the way, when you just can't seem to make gains no matter what you do. Also, the results get less and less noticeable as you advance. But you must push on and sets higher goals all the time. In this game you either move forward or backward, there is no midway. Keep visualizing the person you want to be and believe it can be done.

3. Pre-workout meal: The purpose of a pre-workout meal is to prepare your body for the attack ahead and give you energy throughout the workout period. This meal should be taken about one hour before the workout session. This meal should be rich in complex carbohydrates to ensure adequate energy levels.

4. Post workout meal: As soon as possible (within one hour) after working out you should replace the drained fuel by taking down a mixture of protein and carbohydrates. A good quality meal-replacement shake works best here, but you can also drink something as simple as chocolate milk.

5. Train with intensity: Your aim should always be to lift slightly heavier weight each workout. It doesn't always work this way so don't beat yourself too much if you are not able to do this. Try to go beyond your comfort zone without risking injury.

6. Go heavy: If you just aim for cuts, you may never get big. If you aim for gradually increased strength you will eventually get both. Use the heaviest weights that you can handle without losing form. Just make sure you are thoroughly warmed up before tackling your heaviest weight. Do not try to go heavy at every workout week after week though.

7. Pyramid the weights: Pyramiding means using consecutively heavier weights with each set. You can also pyramid down, stripping the weights gradually with each set. Mix it up on different days to shock your muscles and keep them guessing.

8. Compound movements: Those impressive-looking machines in the gym are not what will make your muscles grow. If you want faster growth, use free weights and compound exercises. Compound exercise hit the target muscles as well as other muscles that are forced to assist. Think bench press, should press, barbell squats, barbell or dumbbell curls, triceps extensions, bent over rows, dead lifts etc.

9. Supplement it: You should eat six to eight small meals each day. Few of us have enough time to prepare that many meals, no to mention nutritious well-balanced. Also, modern farming has increased food production but compromised on the nutrients. This is why you need nutritional supplements including vitamins and minerals.

10. Rest: It is during rest that your body begins to tear down and rebuild muscle fibers that you trained, causing growth. The importance of adequate rest between workouts cannot be overstated. Having a workout split also helps as you train one or two body parts while the rest are resting.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

How To get your Six Pack Abs

Do you want to develop your abdominal muscles? Abdominal exercises will be great for you as they will tone and sculpt your muscle. But if your stomach area is covered with layer of fat no one will see your abdominal muscles. So the only way to show them is to loss your abdominal fat layer.
But how you can loss your abdominal fat layer? In order to lose your fat over the stomach you must reduce your fat stores. if you reduce your fat stores you will lose your fat layer over your stomach and your abdominal muscle will be visible.

abdominal fat reduction is the best way. Once the fats are disappear your abs will show. That I promise you. Lose fats! And you will get your (killer abs). Magazines or late night TV commercials has been telling you that you will get your abs by using this electronic gizmo or that gadget do not believe them as it doesn't work that way.
There are some elements to achieve your weight loss goals permanently and effectively
1- Frequent exercise. help you to exercise your lungs and your heart and burn fat at the same time.
2- Weight Lifting to build your strong muscles and burn fat permanently.
3- Caloric deficit diet help you to lose your weight fast
4- You have to watch what you eat. Without proper nutrition it will not matter what type of abdominal exercises you carry out. It just won't make a difference at all. And just in case you are sick of hearing about fruit and vegetables, well I am going to say it again. Unless you are prepared to sacrifice high fat and heavily sugar based foods .
5- The best abs exercise is to work your entire body. Practicing different movements will strengthen your core or abdomen area every time you workout. This type of method is so beneficial to weight loss and muscle definition

6- If you looking to show your six-pack abs and lose some of your body fat you should focus your diet on good foods that can be used for build and repair.Good diet means high quality protein, complex carbohydrates and essential fats.