You don't have to look like a body builder just because you're working on building muscle! A lean, toned look is achievable while enjoying the benefits of strong musculature, you just need to know how it's done. This article will provide you with that information and more, so read on.
Do more repetitions, not heavier. The ideal workout to build muscle contains a high number of repetitions at a medium level of intensity. Keep your breaks between sets under a minute. This constant repetition causes a buildup of lactic acid in your muscles, which has been observed to stimulate muscle growth.
If you want to increase your muscle mass, you will need to begin eating more of almost everything. Eat an additional 3500 calories per week, which will be enough to put on about a pound. Research ways to bump up your calories, and if after about two weeks you have not gained any weight, you may want to raise the number of calories you are eating again.
If you have been weight training for a period of time and want to see results a bit more quickly, work on your large groups of muscles, such as those in your legs, back and chest. Some great exercises for those groups are deadlifts, squats, bench presses, dips and military presses.
Massage your muscles regularly. You can do this on your own by making use of a foam roller, tennis ball or any other tool that will help to relieve the stiffness of sore muscles. You could even consider going for regular massages at the parlor. Whatever means you use; you must be sure to relax those muscles regularly.
While training hard to build muscle, make sure to consume plenty of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide your body with the glucose that it needs for energy. When you're working hard you need energy to survive. Failure to consume enough carbohydrates can result in your body breaking down muscle to provide it with the protein and carbohydrates that it needs to survive.
Keep your diet clean and varied on the days you choose to work out. Fuel up for your exercise session by taking in some calories an hour before heading to the gym. Don't overeat on workout days, but eat more than days that you aren't planning on weight training.
You workouts should last around 60 minutes, each. If you work out for longer than an hour, your body will start producing large amounts of cortisol, an unhealthy stress hormone. Cortisol blocks testosterone–a hormone that promotes muscle growth–and undermines all of the work you are putting into building muscle. You will optimize your efforts by keeping your workouts short and intense.
Consuming a protein shake after working out is very important. The protein shake gives you body the nutrients it needs to be able to rebuild muscle fibers and help your muscles to grow faster and stronger. Protein shakes should have a ratio of 2:1 of carbohydrates to protein in order for them to be as beneficial as possible.
The stronger your body, the better you'll feel about yourself. It's amazing how working on building muscle can change your whole outlook on life! I hope that what you've read in this article helps you to start working out in a way which makes you feel great every single day.