Why Just Lifting Doesn't Build Muscles
Are you lifting weights in the gym but never seem to be satisfied with the size of your muscles? Do you feel like you seem to be stuck at just the same size, no matter how hard you're trying?
If so, you may want to listen up. You see, just lifting doesn't necessarily mean muscles come with it! While it certainly is a part of the muscle-building process, there are certain ingredients that you must have to see results.
Read on to find out why just lifting weights may not be enough to build up those muscles you've been longing for.
Understand the Science Behind Muscle Growth
Just lifting weights alone does not build muscles. To understand why, it is important to understand the science behind muscle growth. Muscles grow when they are put under stress. This causes tiny tears in the muscle fiber that heal while building bigger, stronger muscles.
To promote muscle growth, you must also create an adequate calorie surplus. Increasing muscle stimulation is also important. It is essential to alternate between the following:
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- heavy and light weights
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- different angles
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- varying speeds of movement
This can ensure adequate muscle stimulation. Last, recovery time is essential. Allowing sufficient time for the muscle tissue to recover fully is imperative to build muscle.
Though lifting weights is the primary source of muscle growth, it only accounts for one factor in the muscle-building process. Understanding the science behind muscle growth can help achieve desired results and optimize the effectiveness of any workout program.
The Benefits of Complementary Activities and Exercises
Strength training certainly plays a role in improving muscular endurance and size. However, adding other activities and exercises helps the body grow and improve. Complementary activities and exercises may include but are not limited to:
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- cardio
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- yoga
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- pilates
Through these exercises, the body can improve coordination, increase endurance, and ultimately produce better results when building muscle. These additional activities allow the body to keep increasing muscle growth. They also work in-between weight workouts to provide better overall health and fitness.
Ultimately, blending just lifting and complementary activities and exercises gives the body the best chance to reach peak physical strength and appearance. To learn more about this topic, you may consider being a personal trainer to help yourself and other people. Click here to learn how to be one.
Know the Role of Nutrition in Muscle Building
To actually build muscle, there needs to be a balance of both exercise and nutrition. Without the appropriate nutrition, no matter how much weightlifting you do, your muscles won't necessarily grow or reach their optimum development.
A balanced diet, full of necessary macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals, can provide the proper muscle-building environment needed to realize your potential fully. Once exercising, protein is also necessary. This is what helps the body recover and synthesize. Without this, not enough muscle protein synthesis is possible, which, in turn, inhibits muscle growth.
Why Just Lifting Isn't Enough to Build Your Muscles
To sum it up, just lifting alone is not enough to build substantial muscle. A proper diet and exercise program that includes progressions, recovery, rest, and nutrition should be implemented to avoid wasting time and effort. Combining all these elements will help maximize your muscle-building results and have you looking and feeling better.
So, why wait? Start creating your muscle-building program today!
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