Muscle Management 101

Muscle Management 101

 

It has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life to be involved in bodybuilding for over 20 years.  During this time, I have learned much about building, shaping, and maintaining muscle.  While bodybuilding is a never-ending quest for knowledge, there are a few basic principles that have made a huge difference to my training.  Hopefully, I can keep your attention long enough to tell you some of the basics according to Mike. 

 

I believe the first thing that you must have to build muscle is drive or determination.  Set short and long term goals for yourself and have the determination to follow through with them.  Make and follow a plan to achieve your goals.  It doesn’t have to be a complicated plan.  As you learn, your plan will change and your goals may change as well but it’s really hard to get somewhere if you have no idea where you are going or how to get there.

 

Next, lets talk about focus.  Yes, drive, determination, and focus are all related, but I’m talking about focus in the gym.  When you walk in the gym, say hello to everyone if you like, then put them all out of your mind.  Don’t think about Aunt Sally’s lost dog or how you are going to pay the power bill.  Think only of the task at hand.  As you pick up or pull on a weight, focus on the muscles you are stretching and flexing to complete that set.  In between your sets, picture yourself completing the next set and channel all your energy toward doing just that.   Once you learn how to focus in the gym, your gains will come much quicker.

 

In order to maximize your potential to make muscle you must evaluate your diet.  Are you getting enough protein, complex carbohydrates, and good fats?  Is there too much simple sugar in your diet?  I could go on and on about diet but I suggest that each person research a diet to fit their individual nutritional needs.  Small efforts toward a good diet can make a great difference in your results.

 

One of the easiest things to overlook in muscle management is the need for rest and recovery.   Whether we call ourselves bodybuilders, runners, fitness competitors, power lifters or whatever, we are all sometimes guilty of not giving ourselves enough time to recuperate.  After all, the need to give it our all is what separates us from the Joe Couch Potatoes of the world.  Learning to channel all your energy at the appropriate time will help you both during the exercise itself and during the guilt free rest period after training.  Having a plan will not only help you complete the task but it will also let you know when you are finished.  Without proper rest, your muscles will keep breaking down instead of growing.  Don’t be counterproductive with your training, give it all you have then give it a rest.