How to safely and effectively build muscle, whether for looks or for strength. Also, how muscles work physiologically.
2
votes
1answer
169 views
Body building and gaining weight
I'm 5'10" tall and weight only 56kg. I'm trying to be massive and doing some workout daily, like push ups for at least 30 minutes, with two breaks. In the last 6 months I gained only 5kg.
I'm quite ...
2
votes
4answers
759 views
Skinny wrists - will this change as the rest of me does?
I know it's vain - but I'm not blessed in this department. As I progress down the road towards the body I want instead of the current body I have can I expect my wrists to gain in proportion also?
I ...
2
votes
1answer
361 views
What are superficial muscles?
Articles like the wikipedia entry for the Forearm distinguish between superficial, intermediate, and deep muscles. What is the difference between these muscle levels? What are some readily ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Do I lose muscle or fat if I don't eat for 5 days?
Due to an injury followed by a stomach virus, I drank a lot (coke, iced tea, and water) but hardly ate anything for 5 days. Now, my weight has dropped by 3 lbs.
I feel like I lost muscle mass. ...
9
votes
2answers
661 views
Should I exercise when my muscles are aching?
I exercised for the first time in a long time yesterday. This is what I did:
500 jumping jacks at moderate pace
100 jumping jacks at fast pace
10 min of running in place at moderate pace
100 ...
8
votes
2answers
654 views
What muscles are deadlifts meant to target?
If I am using the correct form while doing a standard deadlift what primary and secondary muscles are being targeted?
3
votes
2answers
561 views
What type of physique is possible without use of steroids?
Let me begin by saying I'm completely against steroids, as everybody should be.
I don't plan to get into fitness model shape, as I know it often involves extremely strict diets and starvation prior ...
4
votes
2answers
5k views
What muscles are targeted by these different variations of pull-ups: standard, chin-ups, and the neutral or parallel close grip pull-up?
What muscles or muscle groups are targeted by these different variations of pull-ups: 1.) standard (overhanded), 2.) chin-ups (underhanded), and 3.) the neutral or parallel close grip pull-out (thumb ...
0
votes
3answers
163 views
Increasing mass and retaining bodyfat percentage
This question somewhat falls under theory since every body is different, I understand that, but figured I'd ask anyways.
Let's say I've managed to find a diet and exercise routine that fits my ...
2
votes
1answer
664 views
Legs sore 1st day of rest after workout, even more sore the second day
I did a pretty intensive leg workout and decided to take the next day off for rest. I definitely had some lactic build-up the next day and my legs were slightly sore. However, when I woke up on the ...
1
vote
1answer
996 views
Do Lactose Intolerant people still absorb protein from milk?
As a Lactose Intolerant person I almost always get diarrhea when I drink milk.
But even if my stomach spits it out the other way, is it atleast able to extract the protein from it to build muscle? ...
3
votes
2answers
163 views
What other changes should I make to my weightraining plan and diet to continue losing belly fat?
I was once over 181 pounds and for my body type I was tipping on the scale of very fat to obese. I started to do lots of cardo and watched what I ate(but never dieted as I knew if I diet I won't be ...
7
votes
3answers
423 views
I have a strong abdomen but I still have a belly?
I go to the gym regularly to do weight training and start off with sit ups to warm up, however I never seem to lose my belly.
I'm not interested in a six pack I just want to know if training your ...
5
votes
4answers
189 views
Which muscles would I need to train for ambulance work?
TL;DR Version:
Which muscle groups would I use when
lifting an object from the floor with a straight back
holding an object at chest height for an extended period of time whilst climbing stairs
...
3
votes
1answer
793 views
What's the benefit of a long tendon and short muscle belly in the forearm?
In bodybuilding the benefits of long muscle bellies are fairly self evident, just look at Ronnie Coleman's out of place biceps and compare them to Sergio Oliva. For any sport requiring strength there ...
3
votes
2answers
180 views
Are there any harmful side effects to working out just your arms?
I'm 15 years old and during the summer I've been working out with some dumbbells, and I've only been working out my arms for right now. Lately I have been feeling pain in my lower back and neck (which ...
10
votes
2answers
348 views
During muscle loss, are muscle fibers destroyed or do they just shrink?
I read somewhere that muscle fibers stay around when you lose muscle but that they only shrink (hence why people can more quickly re-add muscle after a long break than when they first put it on).
Is ...
3
votes
2answers
296 views
Where does protein come from if muscles are built and repaired at night?
I've been wondering for a while where protein to build muscle comes from?
If I consume protein throughout the day and that protein is pretty much digested and processed within an hour or two of ...
3
votes
2answers
154 views
Use lighter or heavier weight in higher or lower reps for building muscle size?
When training to build up muscle size, should I use lighter weight in higher reps and sets or use heavier weight in lower reps and sets?
2
votes
1answer
2k views
What's lean muscle mass?
It is said that men usually have more lean than women. I would like to know what does the 'lean muscle mass' mean? is it just the muscle mass? How would you calculate it?
17
votes
8answers
2k views
Does lifting more than 5lbs really cause females to bulk?
I recently read an article about a guy who trains many models and actresses and he states that women shouldn't be lifting weights above 5 pounds, and not doing cardio such as spinning, because doing ...
3
votes
2answers
298 views
Basic anatomy for weight lifting and starting strength?
Reading the Starting Strength book, he throws around a lot of anatomical terms. Yet, surprisingly, there's no diagram or chart or glossary explaining what all these are.
What's the best way to learn ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
Can I do anything about an uneven six-pack?
I have an uneven six-pack and have been pushing it hard, hoping it will grow evenly. I've been training for 8 months, and there isn't any difference yet. My abs are still uneven. A trainer told me ...
2
votes
1answer
358 views
Does high intake of protein while in catabolic mode prevent muscle loss?
This might seem like an obvious question, but I'm currently exercising a lot and losing a lot of weight (through diet), and I'm afraid that shedding this much weight that I'm putting myself in a ...
0
votes
2answers
191 views
Reducing flab and Building the Upper Body simultaneously - Guidance? [closed]
I have recently joined a gym, and I wanted to build both the abdomen (6-8 packs) and upper body (chest and shoulders). I have used a gym two years back. I have the following questions:
How I ...
13
votes
6answers
14k views
Ensuring the body burns fat instead of muscle?
When exercising, our bodies take energy from our blood sugar, then uses glycogen as a source for energy, and finally burns fat or muscle when the glycogen is used up.
A nutritionist told me that ...
3
votes
2answers
192 views
Learning form without weights
One thing I like a lot about the Starting Strength program is its focus on squats. Why? Because I could practice and practice them, getting my form right, without weights.
Now that I can squat well, ...
1
vote
1answer
419 views
Caffeine, weight loss, muscle gain & stretch marks [closed]
I am searching for information regarding the effects of caffeine and found this website for the first time.
For the last 3 weeks I´ve been trying to decrease my caffeine consumption, after having ...
2
votes
2answers
232 views
Is supplementation counter productive when your goal is getting a six pack/lean mass?
I try hit the gym about 3-5 times a week (using a 3 day split program), and take something similar to Supplements SA Ganic-F Insane
as pre-workout, and I've got protein shake that i use as a snack ...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
What are good books on muscle building heavily based on science?
Please suggest few books on the topic of muscle building, that are heavily backed by scientific research.
I prefer them to be light on concrete training programs, but heavy on facts and research ...
10
votes
2answers
340 views
Any way to help muscles grow during rest, besides food (protein etc.)?
Since muscles grow when they are resting, has anyone got any tips, supplements or anything at all that will help my muscles grow more effectively during resting period?
0
votes
1answer
132 views
different muscle fiber types relation to size/strength
The accepted theory (I think) is that quick-twich (white) muscle is responsible for sprinting and weight lifting and slow-switch (red) muscle is for endurance.
We know that too much endurance ...
3
votes
1answer
299 views
Best stretching and strengthening exercise for Gluteal muscle
When I play games (3-4 hours) like Cricket or Basketball, my Gluteal muscles ache a lot. I've heard that swimming can help them stretch, but I can't swim (though I plan to learn)
What other exercises ...
2
votes
2answers
454 views
Multiple short workouts vs one long session
I'm a 20-year-old male, and it's been a while since I've done anything physical, so I'm trying to build some muscle. However, I'm a full time student and I work 20 hours a week, which doesn't leave me ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I build my obliques?
I've tried for a couple of months now and I just can't seem to build on my obliques.. I have minimal trouble getting and keeping my 6 pack, but I just can't get those darn obliques. It looks really ...
2
votes
3answers
184 views
Training on the border of overtraining
Whenever I feel I have overtrain I rest, say for 3-5 days, and when I start training again I regress in perfermonance, and have to start builduing up again. It is as if I have been stuck in the same ...
2
votes
2answers
688 views
What's the “optimal” macronutrient split and daily caloric intake to increase lean body weight while reducing fat?
In the past few months, I've managed to trim down to about 11% bodyfat but unfortunately not without sacrificing a several pounds of muscle in the process. I'd like to regain and build beyond that ...
1
vote
1answer
754 views
Women's fitness plan for weight (muscle?) gain
I searched on the internet for some women fitness plans for my girlfriend, a but lot of them are to lose weight. But she is slim, and I wanted some training for weight gain, and to strengthen her ...
0
votes
2answers
2k views
Extreme muscle soreness when I wake up [closed]
Whenever I wake up every muscle in my body feels like it has been hyperextended. I dont seem to move at all in my sleep, and when i do go to move when i wake up, for example go to extend my arm, i ...
7
votes
4answers
365 views
How can I avoid building a lot of muscle while gaining strength
As I start towards exercising to gain strength, I want to avoid gaining a lot of muscle.
I don't know how accurate it is, but I have heard that muscle size is not related to strength, i.e. the more ...
5
votes
1answer
133 views
How does a muscle grow step-by-step?
I am trying to understand how a muscle such as the bicep grows step-by-step. For example (but not limited to):
How nutrients line up?
Which are essentials?
What exactly do they do?
It's hard to ...
2
votes
1answer
253 views
Strained my neck and feeling pain
Last week, I was trying to do some exercise lifting weight up. Suddenly I got a strain in my neck. I can move my neck but feel pain when doing so. I didn't do any exercises after that day, and I'm ...
4
votes
1answer
210 views
Should I add more protein to my diet to avoid muscle loss?
I've read several places you should try to at least get .5 g of protein per pound of weight. Note that I don't know my lean weight. Now I'm a 186 cm(~6 feet) tall male weighing 111.8 kg(~246 lbs), ...
6
votes
1answer
923 views
Is it possible to gain muscle with cardio/aerobics?
I believe the best way to gain muscle is heavy weightlifting. I've done that before using a routine based mainly off of the Stronglifts program and I saw good results. However, until recently I was ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
Are dumbbells alone enough to build strength?
If I do exercises with dumbbells each day, will that be sufficient to build strength and tone muscle? I don't care to large biceps, I am just after some strength and definition.
While doing other ...
4
votes
5answers
606 views
What is the cheapest, quickest way to gain some basic muscle?
I am a 26 year old male. I weigh about 80 kilograms (180 pounds) and stand at 183cm tall (slightly over 6 feet).
I seem to have a very fast metabolism based on my lack of exercise and high fat/sugar ...
3
votes
1answer
246 views
If I build up my muscles and then don't use them for a while, then will the “build-up” regress after a while?
And if so, is regression more powerful if I build up my muscles from, say, the 90th percentile to the 99th percentile as compared to from the 30th percentile to the 50th percentile? As in, is the ...
2
votes
1answer
53 views
Should standard, non-rehabilitation exercise routines target smaller individual muscles?
Looking at the list of exercises on exrx.net, I see a good deal of them recommending exercises to target muscles that most fitness sites seem to completely overlook. For example, there are pages with ...
9
votes
3answers
613 views
How can I gain weight and muscle weight?
I'm a 15 year old teenager, I am terribly underweighted due tot he fact when I was smaller I had nutrition issues (Skipping breakfast on most days, not eating consistent food, eating junk food, etc). ...
0
votes
2answers
383 views
How to Rehab a Bicep Tear
I'm writing this on behalf of my gym instructor who unfortunately doesn't have Internet access.
Last fortnight he suffered a slight tear in his left bicep while moving some heavy equipment. He has ...
