How to safely and effectively build muscle, whether for looks or for strength. Also, how muscles work physiologically.
19
votes
3answers
11k views
Why is muscle size not proportional to strength?
This guy claims that Olympic powerlifters working in the 1-6 rep range can increase strength without increasing muscle size.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/topicoftheweek8.htm
Trained Olympic ...
9
votes
3answers
614 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). ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
How to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time?
Firstly, is losing fat and gaining muscle at the same time possible? If it is possible, what is the general nutrition and exercise plan to do it?
Secondly, is losing fat and gaining muscle at the ...
1
vote
3answers
236 views
What are the true implications of the abdominals being actually just one muscle?
A lot of online advice on developing the abs starts by correcting the misperception that the abs are separate muscles, instead, they are a single wall.
Now, it's not clear what should I conclude from ...
32
votes
5answers
15k views
How do I naturally boost my Testosterone levels?
Its a well documented fact that testosterone in essential for muscle development. So much so that some will want to go to the lengths of taking synthetic testosterone in order to aid their ...
14
votes
4answers
2k views
How does alcohol really affect gains?
I have been training with a personal trainer now for about a year; we work four days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) and do bodybuilding splits. So, we do dynamic lower core, heavy ...
8
votes
2answers
323 views
Keeping track of muscle dimensions
I am looking for tools and procedures to keep track of changes in sizes of muscles.
(or groups of muscles like upper arms and chest). (1)
How feasible is this? (2)
Are more subjective measures like ...
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
186 views
How to improve symmetry in both strength and size
I have noticed lately that I lack symmetry in my arms (biceps and triceps, not forearms). This lack of symmetry also follows through to the strength and endurance in the weaker arm.
With my dominant ...
9
votes
2answers
663 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 ...
2
votes
4answers
508 views
Help to add muscle for a skinny guy with fast metabolism
I'm 20 year old, 5ft8 (1.72m) and weight about 120lbs (54kg).
I've recently joined the gym and plan to add muscle (like most people). I'm completely new to this and I have been browsing for research ...
34
votes
1answer
3k views
When will muscle be cannibalized?
Can you tell me what are all the cases when muscle would be cannibalized? I've heard the two following cases will cannibalize muscle, but I still don't quite understand.
Aerobic Exercise
Arnold ...
13
votes
3answers
311 views
Recomposition vs weight loss
I understand recomposition to be about trading away fat for new muscle.
How is it different than weight loss as a goal?
Would it ever be recommended to focus on purely weight loss first, and then ...
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 ...
10
votes
2answers
410 views
Theory to burn Calories with muscle
Once I had a physical education teacher at the University tell me that he is experimenting with a theory. The theory is that muscle burns calories and that as muscle mass increases, the amount of ...
6
votes
1answer
925 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
296 views
Why do you have to exercise to build muscle?
Many chemical processes that used to be time-consuming or tiresome can be worked around, e.g migraine, vitamin deficit, bad eye-sight.
Endurance training and muscle anabolism are just chemical ...
5
votes
1answer
199 views
How does muscle build up when we exercise?
I want to put on some muscles, so I thought the best way to get started is to learn how the process of muscle build up works. I want to start from the basics to get good results.
So, how exactly do ...
4
votes
5answers
607 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
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
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
97 views
Simple tests to detect muscle imbalances between quads and hamstrings
Are there any simple tests you can do at home to check if you have some muscle imbalances between hamstrings and quads? I.e. to test if your quads are too weak compared to your hamstrings or the other ...
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
...
