No pain, no gain. There’s no better use of this proverb than when it comes to building muscles and working out. The problem is that too many newbies want to pack on serious mass and do it fast, so they resort to anabolic steroids. However, there are countless dangerous side effects of this practice, and it’s best to stick to natural methods. Although those who promote the use of steroids say that there’s no way to build muscles fast without a little help from “magic potions”, the truth is that there are natural hacks that can speed up the progress.
Losing Body Fat
This is the first and most important step on the way to muscle gain. In other words, before you start with any muscle-building routine, you’ll have to shed a few pounds. Anabolic steroids are popular because they enable you to simultaneously lose weight and build muscles. But as we have already said, they should be avoided. Numerous research studies show that the use of steroids is related to the decline of mental health as well as to a higher risk of developing heart conditions. What’s best is that you don’t actually need steroids as losing weight has an additional upside: it increases levels of testosterone and insulin sensitivity, and both these factors are responsible for muscle building. In other words, by getting lean it’ll be easier for you to bulk up.
Controlled Weight Gain
After you’ve got rid of excess body fat, it’s time to start gaining weight slowly. It’s important to bear in mind that the optimal muscle gain isn’t 1-2 pounds a week as various commercials promise, but 1-2 pounds a month (this is, of course, if we’re talking about doing it naturally and without anabolic steroids). In this step, the trick is to eat enough healthy food that will help you build muscles, but not too much in order to avoid putting up a lot of fat. Still, you should increase your calorie intake as your body will need more energy. Finding that perfect balance of training and the proper amount of food can be a bit complex, but once you find the sweet spot you’ll be able to bulk up, without having to tamper with your hormone levels. Another important piece of advice is that you should eat small amounts of food frequently as that will make sure that your metabolism runs like clockwork.
Selecting the Right Training Program
Choosing the right type of training is of vital importance, as our bodies are different and react in various different ways. You need to set up a strategy of your training, and it would be best to hire a personal trainer who could help you decide what exercises are best for your body type. Another thing is that your training plan should be well-rounded and adjusted to your level of previous exercising experience. Once you’ve established that, you should stick to your training routine. When it comes to the training itself, don’t forget one important detail: mix and vary your workouts. Not only will you make your training more enjoyable but you’ll also stimulate muscle growth. Finishing your training sessions with drop sets is an effective technique of muscle building and many experienced trainers recommend it.
Tips and Tricks for Big Muscles
Besides all those crucial requirements that have to be met in order to start bulking up, there are some seemingly less important details which can in fact highly influence the whole process.
- For example, a lot of people underestimate the importance of getting enough rest. Overtraining will put too much strain on your muscles and it can be counterproductive. Muscles need time to recuperate, which means that it would be best to make a 2 or 3-day pause between training sessions. Sleeping at least 7 hours at night is a must.
- Selecting appropriate bodybuilding apparel can significantly improve training results. Comfortable, quality and durable workout clothes are important when you spend a lot of time in the gym. Looking good and stylish while you’re working out is also something that many both men and women want, because what’s the point of all the hard work if you can’t showcase it in some fancy gear.
- A workout partner might be an excellent idea, especially for people who find it hard to establish a training routine or who give up fast. Your training sessions will be more fun if you train with a friend. You’ll motivate and encourage each other, while introducing a competitive spirit can do wonders.
- In case that you can’t go to the gym, for whatever reason, you can always rely on bodyweight exercises. It will be challenging, but it’s as efficient as any other type of exercise that you can do at the gym.
If you’ve decided to improve your physique and boost your muscles, you know that there’s a bumpy ride ahead of you. The main thing is to be persistent, motivated and to stay away from steroids, as that’s the only way to look good and be healthy at the same time.