Muscle building is something that needs to be on everyone's mind as they get older. As muscle density decreases, it's up to you to make sure that your muscles are as strong as they can be. Here are some great tips for building muscle so that you can continue to be strong as you age.
Don't try to focus on both cardio and strength at the same time. This is not to say you should not perform cardiovascular exercises when you are attempting to build muscle. In fact, cardio is an important part of physical fitness. However, you should not heavily train cardio, such as preparing for a marathon, if you are trying to focus on building muscle. The two types of exercises can conflict, minimizing effectiveness on both fronts.
Are you trying to add muscle mass to your body? If you are eating calorie-dense foods and are performing muscle build workouts but are still not seeing the results that you desire, you might want to consider adding creatine supplements to boost the growth of your muscles. Creatine aids in building muscle mass. Not only is this supplement popular with many professional bodybuilders, it is also popular with many elite athletes in other sports.
When trying to build muscle mass quickly, smaller is better. Smaller sets with more weight will add muscle more quickly than longer sets. Between 8-12 repetitions for each set is about the ideal. Give your body plenty of rest between workout routines to allow the body to heal. Muscle is built as the muscles heal.
Lifting heavy weights is productive for many parts of the body, but you should avoid lifting extreme amounts of weight when you are working out by performing neck work, dips and split squats. If the exercise puts you in a joint position that is unfavorable, keep the weight limit to a reasonable level.
If you plan on using any type of creatine supplement to help build your muscles, be very cautious, especially if you are using them for a long period of time. Check with your doctor and let him know about specific kidney problems you are having. These supplements have also been linked to muscle compartment syndrome, muscle cramps, and heart arrhythmia. Creatine should be especially avoided by the young. Be sure that you are only using the recommended dosages with any supplement and consult your doctor before starting use.
Once your workout is complete, you need to stretch thoroughly, so that your muscles repair themselves and continue to grow. If you are under age 40, hold your stretches for at least 30 seconds. If you are over 40, hold each stretch for a full minute or more. This will lessen the chances of your body getting injured while doing muscle building exercises.
As life goes on, muscle building is not just for bodybuilders. Building muscle can be a very important part of anyone's life, if they have the facts and effective techniques to build their muscles. Take the tips laid out here and build stronger muscles for the rest of your life.