ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
27.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


The Basics Of Working Out And Building Muscle

Author: Shawn Lebrun Author Ranking Silver | Posted: 27-12-2005 | Comments: 0 | Views: 422 | Rating:  (57) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.

There are certain steps you must take in your workouts if you're looking to build muscle, lose fat, and increase your strength.

Before engaging in any form of weight training, do some kind of warm-up for 5 minutes prior to hitting the weights. You do not want to start cold. You will not be as strong or as energetic. Start your first exercise with a very light, easy set of ten repetitions. Never warm-up to the point of failure or exhaustion. You will be expending much needed energy if you do, energy that will be needed for the last heavy sets.

Make sure your workouts are under 45 minutes. This is important for several reasons. First, it is easier to focus intensely for 45 minutes than it is an hour or more.

Harness the power of focus. Also, hormones that assist the muscle building process peak around 30-45 minutes, so take advantage of this "muscle-building" (anabolic) window. If you go too long, the hormones begin to drastically drop off and the release of muscle destroying (catabolic) hormones increases. Rest at least 1 minute in between your lighter sets and at least 2 minutes between your heavy sets.

Many people mistakenly believe that if they speed up their weight training workout by not stopping in between sets, they will increase the likelihood of fat-burning. What you are really doing is increasing the likelihood of never getting stronger or more muscular.

When you do not rest between sets, your cellular energy levels have not been replenished enough to handle the weight that is about to come. If you are not as strong or stronger on your next set, you have in fact, negated any potential overload and have wasted your set. You must feel strong enough after one set before you try doing another.

Think of a set as a certain high point. If you do not hit that same point, or better yet, go above that point on your next set, you have not gained anything for doing it.

Train only one or two muscle groups per workout. It is extremely hard to focus when you are training more than two muscle groups. It is extremely hard to train intensely when doing more than two muscle groups.

When you train more than two, the muscles towards the end of your workout are getting cheated because the most energy is being spent on the first muscles. Your energy tank will be close to "E" when it is time for the third muscle group.

Now, once in a while, if you are time strapped, adding three muscle groups to a workout, like chest, shoulders, triceps, will not create much of a problem, but do not make it a habit. Once again, harnessing the power of focus and intensity is easier accomplished when training just one or two muscle groups. Train each muscle group only once in a five to seven day period. Never think that training a certain muscle more than once a week will lead to better results. The opposite is true, the more you train a muscle group, the more tired and fatigued it becomes.

Take a full seven days in between training a specific muscle group. If you train your chest and back on Monday, you do not want to train them again until the following Monday. The muscles need time to recover and recuperate before they are able to handle any additional overload.

What most people do not realize is that you actually build muscle when you are resting out of the gym, not when you are weight training.

Weight training just stimulates the muscle and creates a situation where your muscle needs to adapt and get stronger. Your muscles do not actually grow or get bigger until you are resting out of the gym and feeding them proper nutrition. The biggest problem people have is this next tip, but after I tried it, I will always do it. After 2 full months of solid training (weights and cardio), take a FULL WEEK OFF!! That's right, an entire week off from any cardio or weight training.

This week will be essential in resting and recuperating from eight full weeks of training. This is your "recharge" period, time to let your muscles heal and completely recover. I guarantee, after a week off, you will come back stronger and more muscular.

Have you ever been real tired of work and just couldn't wait for a vacation. Then, when you take one, each day you are off you start feeling more rested. When your vacation is finished, you feel much more refreshed and energetic (even though you still don't want to go back to work).

People under estimate the power of rest.

Weight training, especially heavy, intense weight training, is a stress to the body, and if not given the proper time to rest or recover, injury and sickness will result. So do your body a big favor and take a week off after eight full weeks of training.

These are some of the most basic, proven steps you need to take when working out and building muscle.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/the-basics-of-working-out-and-building-muscle-9848.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:
Learn, step by step, how to build muscle, lose fat, and skyrocket your strength. Check out fitness trainer Shawn Lebrun's proven workout and nutrition program: Get Huge And Shredded
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

The Simple Basics of Building Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 30/11/2005 | Fitness
If you're looking to build lean muscle, this article by fitness trainer Shawn Lebrun reveals some of the most proven, simple basics you can follow. The more of these techniques you use, the more muscle you'll gain.

Why Resting Is Important For Building Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 27/12/2005 | Fitness
If you're serious about building muscle, this article by fitness trainer and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you why resting enough between sets and between workouts is important in the muscle recovery process.

How To Start A Muscle Building Program
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're just beginning to work out, this article by fitness author and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun will show you how to start your workout program. Skip the learning curve and cut out all the trial and error that most beginners go through.

Are You Working Out Too Much?
By: Shawn Lebrun | 19/11/2005 | Fitness
This article will show you how to tell if you're working out too often and not giving your body enough time to recover.

Which Is Better For Building Muscle: Machines Or Free Weights?
By: Shawn Lebrun | 21/11/2005 | Fitness
This article answers the question that many gym members ask: are machines or free weights better for building muscle?

Why Less Is More When Trying To Build Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 21/11/2005 | Fitness
This article will show you that doing more in the gym is not necessarily a good thing when trying to build muscle mass.

How To Get In The Best Shape of Your Life
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/03/2008 | Muscle Building
Learn what you have to do, each and every day, in order to get the body you've always wanted.

Why Intensity Is The Key To Building Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 13/01/2006 | Fitness
The most important factor in building muscle is using the most overload and intensity you can. This article by fitness trainer and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you why intensity and effort is the key to muscle growth and strength gains.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Manny pacquiao next fight?
By: newsblogo | 19-07-2008
manny will should face ricky hatton or nate campbell for a big money and for a history as a legend then retire, manny should not wait that somebody will took his place as a number 1 pound for pound. manny pacquiao next fight

How does one get information from Ezra LeMarpeh in ...
By: countrieladi1220 | 19-07-2008
How does one get information from Ezra LeMarpeh in regard to their referral sevices?  If I have Parkinson's Disease, will they tell me who to go to for the latest treatment and what it is?

Pictures not showing on computer sceeen
By: Paula Stephen | 18-07-2008
picture is not showing

Info on Hydro nephrosis
By: mcteach125 | 18-07-2008
Hi, does anyone know the best way to heal hydronephosis ( water in/on the kidney)? Thanks

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!

I have mucus in my throat and constantly needs to ...
By: connie | 17-07-2008
I have mucus in my throat and constantly needs to swallow and i feel funny.i will like to know if this is considered allergy and what i can use.Also every morning i feel this lump in my throat and i need to get it out.plz help

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Fitness Articles

Different Type of Exercises
By: prabakar | 26/07/2008
People who suffer from sciatica will often feel pain in their leg which can travel from the back of their thigh up to the thigh and in some cases up to the hip or down towards the foot. Exercise is actually extremely important to our spine especially in order to keep the discs within the spine healthy. However the actual sciatica exercises a person will use to treat the problem will depend on what the actual cause of the pain is.

Asthma and the Stomach
By: Alien | 26/07/2008
More and more clearly there seems to be some relationship between bronchial asthma and stomach function. Asthmatics often suffer from digestive problems, frequently complaining about excess stomach acid.

Asthma and Related Illnesses
By: Alien | 26/07/2008
Althought asthma is a disease of the lungs, it may be influenced by illnesses that affect other parts of the body. In many asthma patients, treating these related illnesses even may improve their bronchial asthma condition.

Lower Body Exercise Secrets of the Stars
By: Lyla Feldman | 25/07/2008
There are many celebrities who are famous for their body parts and even get them insured for pricey amounts of money. For example, when you think of Jennifer Lopez or Kim Kardashian what comes to mind? Besides the fact that they are extremely talented and wealthy what do they have in common? Everyone wishes they had their behinds. The million dollar question is how do you get a nice, round attractive bottom without resorting to implants or butt pads?

Strength Training Exercise
By: prabakar | 25/07/2008
Take your time when toning your body. You can maximize the benefit of a biceps strength training exercise, a back strength training exercise, a chest strength training exercise, and so on, by doing them in small blocks of time every day. Don't be discouraged from your fitness walking regimen.

Best Workouts for Your Health
By: prabakar | 25/07/2008
Workouts For You custom designs each program based on individual needs, lifestyle and goals to ensure that each client is working out using exercises that are most efficient for them. Plus, if you ever have any questions about any part of your WFY training program, you can e-mail your trainer and you'll receive a quick response. Many workplaces now have showers, so you can freshen up afterwards.

Using Information From Testing
By: Alien | 25/07/2008
Perhaps clearer explanations of management methods are needed. There are several methods of managing insulin, as follows: Method 1: Complete Management by the Physician. The physician mayor may not have the patient do self-blood-sugar monitoring.

Diabetes - Gaining Their Support
By: Alien | 25/07/2008
You can help your family in many ways, some of which may be quite subtle. One way is to see that your family receives diabetes education. This gives them some understanding of how they can be of assistance.

More from Shawn Lebrun

How To Get In The Best Shape of Your Life
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/03/2008 | Muscle Building
Learn what you have to do, each and every day, in order to get the body you've always wanted.

8 Simple Ways To Lose Fat
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/03/2008 | Muscle Building
This article shows you 8 simple, proven ways you can lose more body fat in less time.

To Build Muscle, Get A Tan!
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/03/2008 | Muscle Building
This article by Shawn Lebrun shows you how overtraining with your lifting routine is similar to getting a sunburn when trying to tan.

How Overtraining Kills Your Chances Of Building Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 15/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're not gaining the muscle mass you want from your workouts, chances are, you could be overtraining. This article from personal trainer and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you what overtraining is and how it leads to problems in and out of th

The Only Way To Gain Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 15/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're looking to gain muscle mass, this article by fitness trainer Shawn Lebrun reveals the only way possible to gain muscle. Start using the principle that's in this article and you'll begin to build muscle a lot faster.

More Rest Means More Gains
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/01/2006 | Health
If you're feeling tired and sluggish, that can negatively impact your muscle and strength gains. This article by fitness author and bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you why resting is important in making muscle gains.

How To Start A Muscle Building Program
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're just beginning to work out, this article by fitness author and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun will show you how to start your workout program. Skip the learning curve and cut out all the trial and error that most beginners go through.

5 Tools To Help You Gain More Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 13/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're looking to gain muscle mass, this article by natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you 5 effective tools you can use in your workouts.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below