You see the same people in the gym day after day, week after week, and they never look any different, which is okay if that is their goal. But for most it isn’t. Most people lift weights to get bigger and stronger. After years of seeing these types of people come and go, but never grow, I’ve identified the 5 most common muscle building mistakes that will hold you back forever.
The first and probably the most common is doing too many reps. If doing a lot of reps was the way to build size wouldn’t carpenters have arms like Arnold did? Or wouldn’t marathon runners have huge legs? Only doing high rep (anything over 8) work outs will NEVER allow you to add size and mass.
Secondly most people do not use enough weight. This is partially because of the high rep counts they do. The idea of “lifting big to get big” seems so obvious, yet few do it. Who is bigger and stronger, the person who lifts 500 lbs once or the person who lifts 100 lbs 5 times? They both move 500 lbs of weight, but the mass building effect of each is totally different. You will never add mass or get stronger if you don’t try lifting weight amounts that you presently can’t! How does anybody ever think their muscles will grow to handle loads that they never try to lift? It is the essence of muscle building.
Thirdly, most people lack the workout routine necessary to build muscle. The workouts they do seem to have no rhyme or reason. Building muscle requires a plan. Your workouts should follow that plan. You can not show up at the gym and begin doing stuff and expect it to have a positive effect on your physique. Until you adopt a muscle building plan and stick to it any gain you get will be by sheer effort and luck.
The fourth common error I see is you can not, efficiently build mass and lose weight/fat at the same time. One, the other, but most likely both, will fail. This means lifting for mass gains and doing a lot of cardio exercise simultaneously will undermine your efforts. And not why you think. It has nothing to do with calorie burn. Adding muscle to your body requires a MAXIMUM effort in the weight room. If you have the energy to do a bunch of cardio before or after your lifting, then you left mass building in the gym. You should be physically spent after a muscle building session. And most definitely don’t dilute a lifting session by doing cardio first.
The last common mistake I see people make is related to the previous one. Some people try to make the case that cardio workouts done on non-lifting days is the answer to the above problem. I will say it’s better than doing it the same day, but the truth really is that you need to rest 100% on your non-lifting days because it is on these days that your muscles actually do their growing. Allowing your muscles to recover is the only way you are strong enough to go back in the gym and lift more than you did before. Which is what muscle building is all about, isn’t it?
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Desiccated liver tablets
By: r8derdude | 23-09-2008
where can I buy desiccated liver tablets. Are they available in drug stores or Health Food stores?
Does the Perfect pushup work better than lifting heavy weights?
By: Rugbyballer | 08-08-2008
does the perfect pushup actually work better than weights and if so how. I have used it and in 5 to 10 days my chest feels fuller and looks bigger, why do they work better than lifting weights at making your chest bigger even when I max out at bench press at about 290. Also I am about 9 percent bodyfat so I know that my chest isnt looking bigger because I have lost fat.
Muscle Building Programs
By: musclemasster | 17-07-2008
Hi everyone,
I weight train regularly and have decent results, but want to build more muscle mass and increase my lean body mass.
I Was wondering if any of you have tried out no-nonsense muscle buildilng? It looks decent but I am always skeptical about these muscle building internet program thingys.
If anyone has tried the program out, I'd be greatful if you would post comments about it.
Thanks!
Mass Gaining Program Advice
By: fitnessmann22 | 13-07-2008
Does anyone have any good muscle building programs that they recommend? I'm trying to build muscle mass and gain some body weight, but have not been having any luck.It seems like no matter how much I weight train, I can gain any muscle mass! I have decent muscle size in my legs, but my upper body is really skinny.Any mass gaining programs or tips on building muscle would be greatly appreciated.
Sytropin - Can i use it with other HGH products?
By: Kavin Taker | 02-06-2008
Can i use Sytropin with other HGH products?
How can i lose weight befor augest?
By: dbkres | 02-06-2008
how can i lose weight befor augest?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Bodybuilding Articles
The Successful Bodybuilders Secret to How to Gain Muscle Mass Fast
By: Steve Robbins | 10/10/2008
If you are working out without seeing consistent results, and adding mass is your goal, then you are doing something wrong. Experience has taught me that it is probably a combination of poor training practices that is causing it. But there is ONE simple change you can make immediately that will absolutely guarantee muscle mass building success.
Amp Up Your Workout
By: Sandra Prior | 07/10/2008
Lose those time wasting gym habits now and see results.
Human Growth Hormone Hgh Benefits for Body Builders
By: Mike Andres | 02/10/2008
Human Growth Hormone is a required supplement for various sports persons like body builders, weight lifters, boxers, wrestlers, athletes and others. It reduces fat, builds muscles and improves your health a lot.
Muscle Growth With These 3 Exercises
By: Tony Schwartz | 01/10/2008
Everyone focuses on chest and arms, but what about the muscle groups you can't see in the mirror?
Our Body - the Amazing Machinery
By: Jan Arve Angelo | 29/09/2008
The adaptability to various changes in the surrounding is an amazing feature. The actual process of muscle building is nothing but adapting to increased weight, load or stress.
Muscle Building
By: Jan Arve Angelo | 29/09/2008
There are many ways in which one can build and maintain a strong body. One way is through food that we take. Having a toned body is nothing but a healthy body.
Training for Great Results
By: Jan Arve Angelo | 29/09/2008
There are several training programs that are available in the world which claims to provide you with the six pack abs that you have always dreamed of. These training programs do not consider the fact that our body needs not only weight training to lose fat and gain muscle.
Staying Fit
By: Jan Arve Angelo | 29/09/2008
Staying fit and fine would be a great achievement in life. Staying fit in this polluted and populated world is really a tough job.
More from Steve Robbins
The Successful Bodybuilders Secret to How to Gain Muscle Mass Fast
By: Steve Robbins | 10/10/2008 | Bodybuilding
If you are working out without seeing consistent results, and adding mass is your goal, then you are doing something wrong. Experience has taught me that it is probably a combination of poor training practices that is causing it. But there is ONE simple change you can make immediately that will absolutely guarantee muscle mass building success.
Finding the Right Mix in Muscle Building at 50
By: Steve Robbins | 08/08/2008 | Bodybuilding
Muscle building is a continuum. There is no “end” to it. You can always build more muscle than you have. What makes this really challenging is that the process by which you efficiently build muscle changes as you move through the continuum. Beginning lifters should use different training parameters than professionals. A further complicating factor is that your body is a variable as well. How do you account for that?
How to Feel Your Abs Work
By: Steve Robbins | 08/08/2008 | Bodybuilding
Working out is just that. Done properly it is work, and there is nothing worse than to think you are working for nothing. Two of my favorite ab exercises are bridges and side planks. These are very effective at engaging all your core muscles. The problem for me is that there isn’t really a “burn” with these moves. I like to KNOW that I am muscle building. This is the move that I use to get it in my midsection.
What are Pyramided Sets?
By: Steve Robbins | 08/08/2008 | Bodybuilding
In the event you are a real beginner, and we all were at one time, let me first get a little terminology out of the way. An exercise is the movement, or lift, that you are doing. A set is the actual act of moving the weight a certain amount of times, an a rep is the 1 time movement of the weight. So a “set of 8 reps of bench press” means you will be doing the exercise bench press where by you raise and lower the weight 8 times without stopping. I recommend doing 5 sets of each exercise. Why?
Use Tiger Wood’s Secret to be Better at Muscle Building
By: Steve Robbins | 25/07/2008 | Bodybuilding
Tiger Wood’s is without question the best golfer on the planet today. Some think he is the best athlete period. We can debate whether golfers are athletes all day, but this I will agree to, Tiger COULD be the best that his body will allow because he has mastered the single most important element to training. You too can use it to be better at muscle building.
Ultimate How to Get Ripped Guide
By: Steve Robbins | 25/07/2008 | Bodybuilding
The fastest way to look muscular is to get lean. People with average muscle mass look great if they are cut. But nothing looks better than seeing the clean lines of hard muscle. The number one most popular fitness goal is chiseled abs, but really everything looks better when you’re ripped. Here’s how to do it.
Top 3 Motivators for Muscle Building in the Gym
By: Steve Robbins | 25/07/2008 | Bodybuilding
So you mosey into the gym, dressed for success, but you’re just not feeling it. We all have those days. Our bodies are rested and ready, but the mind just can’t get there. What to do? Here are the top 3 motivational techniques to get the most out of a workout.
This is How to Build Muscle Mass
By: Steve Robbins | 25/07/2008 | Bodybuilding
Everything is just that much easier when you have physical strength. Strength comes from muscle, and more strength comes from more muscle. Also known as “mass”. For 99% of the people in the gym, adding mass is a simple matter. Stop doing almost everything that you currently are, because it probably isn’t adding any mass to your body. Follow this very simple, but strict routine and regardless of your current efforts and condition, you’ll add muscle mass in the next 30 days