Are you puzzled about how to make your workouts more effective? This article will help you better understand how your body functions and reacts to different exercise routines. You’re likely aware that if you want bigger muscles, you need to lift heavier weights. Scientifically, building strength is the basic first step for muscle growth.
Let’s bust a myth. Some say that weightlifters get stronger without increasing their muscle size – that’s not entirely true. If you’re consistent and put in the effort for about three to six months, you should see noticeable changes in your muscles. The thing is, only the worked-out muscles grow, so the overall growth might seem to be modest.
Secondly, there’s a common misunderstanding that weightlifters don’t put on muscle mass proportional to the weight they lift. While it might seem true for elite lifters working with heavy loads, it’s because they’ve reached their genetic potential in terms of muscle size.
To increase the size of a specific muscle, you need to stimulate its muscle fibers effectively. That needs a little planning based on how your muscle fibers are structured, which, essentially, is your “physiological strategy”.
Remember, very few people can be considered as elite lifters. They develop the ability to handle heavy weights through a trained technique called neuromuscular coordination which is usually reserved for them.
Now let’s understand muscle fibers. In simple words, we have two types: type 1 and type 2, and they have sub-types. Type 1 fibers, or slow-twitch fibers, are useful for endurance sports like long-distance cycling or marathons. They help complete long distances quicker.
Type 2 fibers, or fast-twitch fibers, are essential for strength and speed. To lift heavy weights or sprint quickly, you rely on these. Notably, type 2 fibers are larger than type 1, resulting in more protein content. That means if your body has more type 2 fibers, you’re likely to gain muscle mass more quickly.
However, fiber type isn’t the only factor when it comes to muscle growth. The overall count of your muscle fibers also matters. You might have fewer type 2 fibers, but a high count of type 1 fibers can give you a similar or larger muscle mass compared to someone with more type 2 fibers.
Don’t worry if you’re not the strongest. There are countless examples in bodybuilding where people have achieved their goals through hard work and a tailored approach that aligns with their body’s physiology.
In conclusion, if you’re aiming to build muscle, you need to increase strength. Choose your strategies and workouts based on the demands of your sport and the type of muscle fibers you want to develop. Seek advice from a nutrition professional (many gyms and health centers offer this for free) to maximize your performance. Remember, gaining strength and building muscle shouldn’t be a financial burden, but a commitment to dedication and hard work.
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HealthyTips
Tags
Muscle Growth, Strength Training
