Posts Tagged ‘muscle’

Alternating Rest Pause Training: Ensuring Muscle Growth & Strength Gains

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Rest Pause Training

You might presume Rest Pause Training is the way a few guys at the gym take long rests in between their sets of bicep curls, talking with their buddies way more than they should. The reality of rest pause training is far from using your resting time to catch up on the latest bodybuilding gossip. In fact, the Weider’s Principle of Rest Pause Training entails tricking the target muscle into going way beyond failure with a weight that you would generally be able to lift for only a few reps.

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This trickery is a result of both chemical and psychological reactions. The brief rest periods encourage the muscles rapidly recover by permitting them to refill their stock of phosphocreatine, the same molecule that’s excited when you supplement with creatine. Using this additional shot of energy, the muscle can contract with added power, making bigger force and additional reps. Using this strategy, you WILL get increases in strength and size, along with a bigger ego.

Weider’s Principle of Rest Pause Training is generally used in two ways.

You could train for size by repping to failure, resting for 10-15 seconds, then repeating this until repping to failure once again. Doing this 2-3 times per set causes the muscles to contract overtime and forces the chemical alterations within muscle cells that produce growth.

You can also train for strength by using a weight which allows you to accomplish 3-5 reps, then doing one rep, rack the weight and wait 15 seconds, then do another rep. Repeat this until you complete 4-6 reps overall. This is one rest-pause set for strength.

Instead of keeping the spotlight on either size or strength, we have created for you an alternating rest pause training routine that modifies the two workouts to give you the chance to train for both hypertrophy and strength gains. To simplify this for you, lets look at one-arm and one-leg weightlifting exercises.

Utilizing the dumbbell curl as an instance: Pick a weight that your able to use to finish 6-8 reps. Then complete 3 reps with your right arm, do the same with your left arm. Switch arms again for another 3 reps. Endure in this style, doing 3 rest-pause sets for 3 reps, then two rest-pause sets for 2 reps, finishing off with one rest-pause set for one rep.

After completion, you will have endured 14 reps on each arm with a weight that you could generally complete only 6-8 reps. This method forces not only the target muscle/s to grow but also encourages their pure strength. Studies show that when executing unilateral exercises, your able to lift more than 50% what you could lift with both limbs! If these numbers don’t tell you to incorporate Rest Pause Training into your workout routine, then you might as well be the guy in the intro of this article.

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How to Avoid Over-training to Maximize Muscle Growth

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

Almost anyone that’s picked up a set of weights has or will experience symptoms of over-training at one point in there muscle building program. Over-training can lead to serious injury, chronic fatigue, and even muscle loss.

Over-training is very common amongst athletes and particularly bodybuilders, since they figure that training as much as possible is the fastest way to massive muscle gains.

This couldn’t be any further from the truth however…

Training too much, or at too high of an intensity will lead to over-training.

Now this doesn’t mean you don’t have to put plenty of effort in to see some decent results… Whether you are a bodybuilder, athlete, or just someone that wants to add some additional mass to your frame, you need to train hard and be consistent-that’s a given. In order to get the most out of your genetics, you have to progressively overload the muscles by increasing the weight and / or intensity of each weight training workout.

The problem is however, that many of us increase the intensity of our workouts or get insufficient amounts of rest, or even worse, a combination of both. The trick is finding the right balance between workout volume and intensity, and rest and recovery. And that is exactly what I’ll cover in this article.
The Effects of Over-Training on Bodybuilders

First, let’s take a look at some of the effects of over-training and how one can prevent over-training from happening in the first place.

The Effects of Over-training on the Nervous System

Over-training effects both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in the following negative ways:

  • Higher resting heart rate
  • Weak appetite
  • High blood pressure
  • Weight loss
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Increased metabolic rate
  • Irritability
  • Early onset of fatigue

If you are experiencing more than one of the symptoms outlined above, you may be in a state of over-training, and should evaluate your routine as soon as possible.

The Effects of Over-training on Hormone Levels

Many studies have indicated that over-training negatively effects the levels of hormones, as well as the hormone response in the body.  Since hormones play such an important role in the muscle building process, this can have a detrimental effect on your training progress.

Over-training has been show to:

  • Decrease testosterone levels
  • Decrease thyroxine levels
  • Increase cortisol levels
The increase in cortisol levels along with the decrease in testosterone levels is a deadly combination, since this leads to protein tissue break down. This will ultimately lead to a loss of muscle tissue.

The Effects of Over-training on the Immune System

perhaps one of the most alarming repercussions of over-training is it’s negative impact on the immune system-you’re bodies first defense against harmful viruses and bacteria.

Over-training can drastically decrease the levels of antibodies and lymphocytes in your body, making you much more susceptible to illness.  Simply put, this means that if you are in a state of over-training, you are much more likely to get sick.  Since you will have to skip workouts while you are sick, your muscle building progress will slow considerably.The Effects of Over-training on the Metabolic System

Here is a list of how over-training can  effect the metabolic system.  These symptoms are the ones that are most commonly discussed, and are ones we can’t ignore:

  • Micro tears in the muscle
  • Chronically depleted glycogen levels
  • Slow, weak muscle contractions
  • Depleted creatine phosphate stores
  • Excessive accumulation of lactic acid
  • Extreme DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)
  • Tendon and connective tissue damage

So you must get the point by now… Over-training effects the entire body, and can seriously impact the results of your muscle building program.

Now let’s take a look at the different types of over-training, and what we can do to prevent it.

Is it Worse to Over-Train With Cardio or Weight Training?

Any form of over-training is a bad thing, however, I’ve personally experienced both types of over-training and can honestly say that over-training in the weight room is much worse, and much more prevalent than over-training through cardiovascular training.

Here are some of the reasons why:

  • In order to grow, muscles must fully recover from their last workout, every workout.  If you are over-training and work the muscles before they have fully recovered, you will break down the muscle tissue before it has rebuilt-making it impossible to build muscle!
  • Over-training with weights makes you more susceptible to nervous systems hormone and immune system issues, which all pose serious health risks.
  • It can lead beginners down the wrong path, perhaps wasting money on unnecessary supplements, or even worse, steroids.

I personally believe that only competitive athletes such as swimmers, runners and bikers run a serious risk of reaching a state of cardiovascular over-training, since there are often training for two or more hours daily.

The bottom line is that it is much easier for the average person to over-train while weight training than while cardiovascular training, and I think the effects can be more serious.

How do I Determine if I’m Over-training?

Determining if you’re currently over-training is fairly simple.   If you’re in tune with your body, you can often see the signs of over-training before they get serious.  If you are losing interest in workouts, are having trouble sleeping, and feel weak and irritable, you may be in a state of over-training and should take a week or more off.

If you are experiencing two or more of the symptoms outlined earlier in the article, this should raise a red flag.

Another variable you can use to determine if you are over-training is by tracking the performance of your workouts.

Has your physical performance improved compared to your last workout?

For example, let’s say last workout you were able to perform 8 pull-ups using your body-weight, but were only able to perform 6 pull-ups the following week.  This means that you have not “out done” your previous workout, have not fully recovered, and therefore are likely over-training.  You nave to re-asses your program and make modifications so that you see progress every workout.

How Can I Prevent Over-training?

n order to avoid over-training, you need to take a multi-facited approach.  Determining the correct training volume and intensity, eating the right foods, and getting the right amount of rest and recovery must all be taken in to consideration.  Now let’s take a look at each of those factors in more detail.

Correct Training Volume

Determining the correct training volume can be difficult, especially when you are first starting out.  You have to determine how much weight to lift, how many repetitions and set to perform for every single workout.

You need to use your own judgment in this case, based on your recovery ability and your recovery methods.  Remember that the goal is that you improve every single workout, and if this isn’t happening, you have to decrease the intensity of your workouts.

This is where many people go wrong though.  You begin your workout and realize that you have not fully recovered.  You can either continue to train at a lower intensity than the previous workout, or skip the workout entirely.

As hard as it may be, skipping the workout is the right way to go.  Just turn around and go home!  Your body is telling you that it needs more rest, and you must listen to it!

There is no point in training at a lower intensity, further breaking down the muscle tissue.   By doing this you will increase your risk of injury, and make it harder for your body to fully recovery for your next training session

Proper Nutrition

Your diet plays a huge role in your muscle building program.  It helps regulate hormone levels, provides energy, and provides the raw building blocks that are used to create new tissue.

Here are some dietary recommendations that will limit the chance of over-training:

  • Do not skip breakfast.  This is one of the most important meals of the day.  Skipping breakfast is very catabolic, and can promote muscle loss.
  • Never let yourself get hungry.  If you’re trying to build muscle mass, you have to constantly feed your body quality foods so that it never has the chance catabolize muscle tissue.
  • Unless you are trying to build muscle and lose fat, make sure you have eaten prior to your training session and are not hungry.
  • Have the largest meal of the day within an hour after your workout.  Do this every single workout!
  • Consider taking proven supplements like creatine, and antioxidants to increase performance and fight free radicals.
  • Eat every 2-3 hours to ensure that your body remains in an anabolic state.
  • Keep glycogen levels at full capacity to inhibit muscle tissue breakdown.

Rest & Recovery

Rest and recovery is essential when it comes to avoiding over-training.  Make sure that you get at least 7 hours of sleep each night, and that you are on a consistent schedule.  As for recovery time, it’s important that you have days off between weight training workouts.  Try to have one rest day between weight training workouts, and never train the same muscle groups on consecutive days.

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Is Truth About Abs a Scam?

Monday, January 11th, 2010

A lot of people are skeptical by nature, and for good reason. No one likes to waste money, and when it comes to spending money on a product, especially an informational product on the internet, you want to know what you are buying is not a waste of you money. The Truth About Abs Scam, is it really a scam? And how can you be sure what you are not wasting your money on this abdominal product?

Here are four reasons how you can tell that the Truth About Abs is not a Scam:

  1. It is the #1 selling ab program on the internet (according to ClickBank.com). What does this mean? It means that since so many people are buying it, it MUST be working. If the Truth About Abs really was a scam, then wouldn’t the whistle already have been blown so to speak. Wouldn’t the word have already gotten around that it was a scam? Well, this hasn’t happened. People are still buying it, and people are still getting their sexy, six pack abs from the information in the program.
  2. This leads me to the next reason: There are tens of thousands of positive reviews all over the internet. So many people have tried the program and gotten the results they were looking for. There are hardly any negative reviews (probably because of the reasons below). With so many people who love this ab program, and so few who dislike it, it is easy to see that this product is not a scam.
  3. They have a 21 day trial program that only costs $4.95. You pay for $4.95 and get all the information from the program. You then have 21 days to decide if the information is worth it to pay the rest of the cost.
  4. They have a 60 day, 100% money back guarantee. If after 60 days, you don’t see the results you were looking for, or you are not completely satisfied for any reason, you can get all your money back. I would say that is a very good reason as to why the Truth About Abs is not a scam.

These 4 reasons show you that there is no such thing as the Truth About Abs Scam. If a product is the top seller, it has tons of positive reviews, offers a low cost trial, and has a money back guarantee, then the product is legit.

Take the Truth About Abs Scam Challenge today!

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Yoga Helps Back Ache

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

If you have a back problem, it’s best to get an okay from your doctor before trying yoga. Back pain is often the result of a biomechanical imbalance in spinal structures. Yoga for back pain has been accepted by many chiropractors and back specialists. Before beginning yoga for back pain,consult your doctor to make sure you don’t make matters worse.

Back pain can be caused by a number of situations, from slipped discs to damaged muscles or ligaments. However, back pain can also be caused by infections, bone spurs or tumors. When yoga for back pain is implemented, the pain is reduced by stretching and strengthening the spine. You must exercise proper posture and this should be practiced so that you can get relieved from the back pain even when you’re not practicing yoga. Back pain is increasingly a problem for many adults. The problem can sometimes lie in the fact that the spine is compressed and the back muscles are tight and weak. Since yoga postures aim to strengthen the spine as well as lengthen and stretch muscles, it can be ideal for many back pain sufferers

Yoga For Back Pain Exercise…

You can observe your body’s natural tendency to compensate for poor spinal posture with this simple back pain exercise.

  1. From a standing position hold a plastic water bottle in your hands.

  2. Try raising your arms forward and up halfway until they are parallel to the ground.

  3. You will notice a slight backward displacement of your shoulders

  4. After a short while as you hold this position you’ll also notice muscle tension in your shoulders and upper back. This is because you body is changing its posture or “compensating” to maintain its balance while holding this position.

Recommendation on Yoga for Back Pain

  • It is very important to make sure that exercise is the right treatment for your particular condition. It is wise to consult a doctor before starting any exercise program.

  • Yoga is a fantastic physical and mental activity. It might not cure every type of pain, but it will increase your general health. A physically and mentally healthy person is always more prepared to deal with back pain than a person in poor health.

  • And this compensation requires the contraction of the muscles in your shoulders and upper back. That keeps you from enjoying many of life’s activities, then try yoga for back pain and finally live life as you once did.

Here is many more BENEFICIAL stretches to alleviate back pain:

Precautions to be taken for Avoiding Back Pain

  • Your back can continue to be healthy and strong by a regular practice of yoga for the back. Work out the poses even if you are not experiencing any back problems. Keeping your back healthy is the best way to prevent low back injury.

  • Only self-care cannot help you manage and relieve back pain, it can help to you prevent it.

  • For instance, when you’re picking up something heavy, never try to lift objects that are too heavy for you. Lift by bending your knees, not your back. Keep your back straight and your head down and lined up with your back.

  • Keep the object close to your body, dividing the weight evenly throughout your body as you lift. Never twist your body when lifting. Read out Yoga.
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Tried & True Fitness Programs

Saturday, April 4th, 2009

Truth About Abs

A lot of people are skeptical by nature, and for good reason. No one likes to waste money, and when it comes to spending money on a product, especially an informational product on the internet, you want to know what you are buying is not a waste of you money. The Truth About Abs Scam, is it really a scam? And how can you be sure what you are not wasting your money on this abdominal product?

Here are four reasons how you can tell that the Truth About Abs is not a Scam:

  1. It is the #1 selling ab program on the internet (according to ClickBank.com). What does this mean? It means that since so many people are buying it, it MUST be working. If the Truth About Abs really was a scam, then wouldn’t the whistle already have been blown so to speak. Wouldn’t the word have already gotten around that it was a scam? Well, this hasn’t happened. People are still buying it, and people are still getting their sexy, six pack abs from the information in the program.
  2. This leads me to the next reason: There are tens of thousands of positive reviews all over the internet. So many people have tried the program and gotten the results they were looking for. There are hardly any negative reviews (probably because of the reasons below). With so many people who love this ab program, and so few who dislike it, it is easy to see that this product is not a scam.
  3. They have a 21 day trial program that only costs $4.95. You pay for $4.95 and get all the information from the program. You then have 21 days to decide if the information is worth it to pay the rest of the cost.
  4. They have a 60 day, 100% money back guarantee. If after 60 days, you don’t see the results you were looking for, or you are not completely satisfied for any reason, you can get all your money back. I would say that is a very good reason as to why the Truth About Abs is not a scam.

These 4 reasons show you that there is no such thing as the Truth About Abs Scam. If a product is the top seller, it has tons of positive reviews, offers a low cost trial, and has a money back guarantee, then the product is legit.

Take the Truth About Abs Scam Challenge today!

 

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