Muscle Building Information

Creating An Anabolic State That Supports Muscle Growth


You can only build muscle if your body is in the correct anabolic balance to allow growth to take place. Intensive exercise is clearly an important part of the muscle building process but achieving the maximum muscle mass depends on putting the building blocks in place. This is achieved through sound nutritional practices so you need to be aware of the following anabolic enhancing principles:

1. Protein is the basic raw material needed to build muscle. Protein supplies the amino acids that the body uses to repair and build muscle following intensive exercise. Aim to consume 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day from food like beef, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and whey. Spread the load over at least six meals to derive the optimum benefit and avoid overloading the liver.

2. Carbohydrates are needed to energize the muscle building process. Carbohydrates stimulate the release of insulin which pushes the amino acids into muscle cells to begin the process of repair. The body uses carbohydrates as a source of energy - consume too little and the body will steal protein that would otherwise be used for repairing and building muscle. Aim to consume 1.5 to 2 grams of carbohydrate per pound of body weight each day from foods like potatoes, pasta, rice, vegetables and whole wheat bread.

3. Boost your calories. Unless your main aim is to reduce fat you need a positive caloric balance if you want to build muscle. Make sure that your daily calorie intake is 10% higher than your energy expenditure for daily maintenance and that the calories are acquired from a diet characterized by a ratio of 50% carbohydrates, 40% proteins and 10% fat.

4. Get plenty of rest both in terms of adequate rest days between training sessions and sufficient sleep. Your muscles won't grow if you don't build adequate recovery time into your training program. Similarly, you can only optimize your body's levels of testosterone and growth hormone if you spend enough time sleeping.

5. Consume quality supplements to support a sound nutritious diet. For most people it should be enough to add whey protein, creatine and l-glutamine to your daily diet.

6. Don't overdo the aerobic exercise. Your aim is to increase muscle mass therefore you don't want to burn excessive calories that could be utilized for bulking up.

7. Drink plenty of water. Failure to drink sufficient quantities of water will lead to dehydration and adversely affect your muscle mass. Don't forget that muscle is 70% water so a generous intake will maintain muscle volume and help growth.

You can find out more about building muscle by visiting the site listed below.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.


MORE RESOURCES:

Diabetes: A Blessing in Disguise
American Profile, TN - 3 hours ago
“If you’re eating a diet high in fiber, low in saturated fats, and throw in exercise, the body can metabolize the food and build muscle,” Byrne says. ...


Everyone's Favorite Dawg
BamaMag.com - 17 hours ago
While most of his workouts during the season are designed to keep him flexible and maintain strength rather than to build muscle, his bench press max is up ...


Boston Globe

Just the right moves
Boston Globe, United States - Nov 21, 2008
Parkinson's is a disease that can be cruel," said Rudman, who takes 20 pills a day plus protein shakes to build muscle. To further research, he initially ...


Don't Eat Breakfast First - Drink Water
News10.net, CA - Nov 21, 2008
Make sure you are sleeping well as your body needs to repair and rebuild in order to burn fat and build muscle. Relax at your mealtimes, make your plate ...


Jamaica Gleaner

doctor's advice:
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - Nov 21, 2008
Get one of the coaches or trainers to put you on a programme to build muscle. If you follow that plan, working out every day for the next six months, ...


Pill Helps Elderly Bulk Up
Discovery Channel - Nov 20, 2008
The drug increases human growth hormone levels, which makes people grow taller, build muscle, and strengthen bones, among other myriad effects. ...


Keeping Joe 6-Pack's Belly Flat During the Thanksgiving Holiday
NewsBlaze (press release), CA - Nov 12, 2008
The answer lies in eating testosterone-rich foods that crank up their metabolism and help their build muscle at the same time," said Levinson. ...


KFYR-TV

Choosing a Workout for You
KFYR-TV, ND - Nov 19, 2008
Whether you`re trying to build muscle or shed a few pounds, going to the gym can become monotonous. It doesn`t necessarily take weights and a treadmill to ...


Blake Shelton "Fires" Up New CD
Great American Country, TN - Nov 18, 2008
... in a rural been-there-done-that context; and "Country Strong" laughs off gym memberships in favor of farm chores as an honest way to build muscle. ...


SmartWoman program to fight osteoporosis
WFIE-TV, IN - Nov 19, 2008
"It's just going to get them to build muscle and bone and tone and actually help them to lose weight if they need to," she said. ...

Build-Muscle - Google News

home | site map
© 2008