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:

Build Muscle Faster
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 19, 2008
If you follow a proven training plan, do the proper exercises and stick to a healthy diet and lifestyle, you will noticeably lose weight and build muscle ...


Best Syndication

8 Easy Tips to Pack on Muscle
Best Syndication, CA - Aug 28, 2008
Your body is not going to build muscle per will; you have to force it to grow by subjecting it to increased levels of stress that it is not accustomed to. ...


Lose Weight? Build Muscle? Take A Pill and Stay on the Couch
PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria - Aug 5, 2008
It works for mice, and there's a good chance it'll work in humans as well - a pill that makes even the most committed couch potato shape up like an athlete. ...


Malaysia Star

Ten-minute lunchtime workouts
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 14 hours ago
And with weight-bearing exercises like the three above, the slower you go, the faster you build muscle. More muscle in your body equals less fat in your ...


Volvo Ocean Race: Telefonica Team training physically for the ...
BYM News (press release), Spain - Aug 29, 2008
The crews must make the most of the stops to gain back a few of the kilos lost on the way, and must also build muscle mass and catch up on sleep. ...


The Diabetic Fat Spiral
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 28, 2008
I believe the solution for me is to get into motion and to build muscle. While fat is insulin resistant, muscle eats blood sugar for breakfast even when it ...


Bodybuilding Workouts - Muscle Building Workouts
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 27, 2008
As a man, I typically look for exercises that will help me build muscle mass, rather than burn calories. It basically all comes down to your body type and ...


Keep Your Summer Physique Strong With the Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp
MarketWatch - Aug 28, 2008
One session can burn up to 800 calories and when done regularly, can build muscle strength for a lean and sculpted physique. The Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp ...


Recreation calendar -- Ankeny
DesMoinesRegister.com, IA - Aug 29, 2008
Six-week session specifically designed for mature adults can help participants improve their balance, increase their range of motion and build muscle ...


Swing wider and longer, not harder
Lynnwood Enterprise, WA - Aug 29, 2008
Do this several times before every swing to build muscle memory. On the backswing when your hands are about hip high, hinge the club just like you did at ...

Build-Muscle - Google News

home | site map
© 2006