Posts Tagged ‘body-building’
Weightlifting Charts – Is It For You?
There are different weightlifting equipment to help us in achieving better efficiency and results in weightlifting training…
Weightlifting charts are documents that athletes use to keep track of their physical progress or evolution over a set time interval. Although rather recently adopted by the average amateur weightlifter, weightlifting charts are available in a large variety of models and examples on plenty of Internet sites. What is the efficiency of such items? Well, it seems they are relevant on the long run for committed athletes regardless of whether they train to be in a good shape or to take part to competitions. Yet, anyone can use charts to monitor personal workout schemes.
You will come across common elements included in the weightlifting charts as categories: the duration of the training sessions, the number of sessions, the group of muscles per day and so on. Other references should be made to the muscle size at the beginning of a training period. For instance, write down the size of the biceps before you commit to a weightlifting program, and then, observe the progress weekly. Weightlifting charts can help one realize whether he/she is successful or not, because stagnation points or involution becomes obvious right away.
If you notice that there is little or no change at all according to the data you have put into the weightlifting charts, then, there must be one or more mistakes that you are unaware of. Changes are most usually made under such circumstances since faulty training could cause serious health problems that take time to repair. Nutrition, hydration, rest and training frequency could be the issues that make the weightlifting charts look bad. If you don’t allow your muscles to rest and you over-train, chances that you lose muscle size are very high.
You can create your personalized weightlifting charts with whatever supplementary data that you need. Some documents are ready made and available for download on various websites. Get a look over them and see whether they suit your purposes or not. Be careful with what you put down in such charts because you may get too entangled in weightlifting details to actually manage to get something useful out of it. Charts are good as long as they are kept simple and to the point. Then, make sure to include a section to monitor future development or to write down future goals; this will give you a constant background for evolution.
Weightlifting Belts
Weightlifting belt is one of the most important equipment in this activity.
In the past, the use of weightlifting belts was a tradition strictly followed in Olympic weightlifting and in power lifting. Presently, more and more recreational lifters have taken the habit of wearing such belts because of health reasons most of the time. In fact, protection and performs are the two elements that justify wearing weightlifting belts: first of all they protect the lower back during the lifting of the weight in the upright position, and secondly, there the abdominal pressure increases which provides stability to the back bones and thus the grip and the weight lift is a lot more stable. There are several other benefits resulting from these main two functions.
Weightlifting belts reduce the risk of damaging the spinal cord because of the bone shrinkage that usually occurs when lifting weights. Reducing lower back compression is a great point in achieving all the premises for a safe and rewarding training. Most weightlifting belts have a narrow part in front and a wider one at the back. You can also wear the weightlifting belts the other way round with the wider part under the belly as a means of increasing the intra-abdominal pressure. Plus, with a belt, you’ll be more aware of the back position during certain postures thus performing exercises more correctly.
Not all exercises require the use of weightlifting belts; normally only maximal or submaximal lifts are suitable for such an item, because then you’ll put a lot of pressure on the back. Plus, there is a downside to using weightlifting belts extensively: the appearance of hypertension. Do not over-use a belt because there is serious evidence that it can increase the blood pressure alarmingly. If you perform light weight lifting, wearing weightlifting belts are of no real use, and they could even impair the way the exercise is performed.
Another downside associated with the use of the weightlifting belts is the strength decrease of the abdominal muscles; don’t ignore this aspect because the stability of the trunk depends on it. This part of the body is less stimulated because of the belt and therefore tends to lose its strength. Consequently, while it protects the lower back against injuries, a weightlifting belt should not turn into a must-wear accessory. Be sure when to wear it and how to wear it in order to achieve great results.
A Tip On Weight Training Log
Weightlifting nutrition and equipments for weightlifting have a important role in any efficiency. One important tool in weightlifting is the log.
You can tell whether you are making any progress with the gym workout by keeping a weight training log. When the weight training log does not show the results you expect, you need to revise your workout routine and identify the possible mistakes that you are making. Training too much or too little, these are common mistakes. As for the organization of the weight training log, there are several possibilities: the traditional form is to have columns for all every set and workout so that you may know the sets you perform, their date and the resistance. Another system is to organize the weight training log not by the work out dates but by the weight increases.
Let’s take a practical examples and see what things should be like. For instance, if on your last training you worked on the bench presses doing 205 pounds in eight sets, on your new training session, the bench presses should hit 205 pounds but in nine reps this time. If you’d stick to the same number of reps and weight, there would be no growth in the resistance, strength and muscle mass, and you’d only reach the much dreaded plateau. The best way to create a weight training log within minutes is to print ready made customized workout sheets.
The body weight before the training should be put down in a separate column. Even if some athletes tend to believe that weight is not relevant for gym training results, you may find it helpful to learn how much lean mass you have put on. The weight training log should further include a cardio section too. You can keep track of workouts in relation to the cardio exercises. It seems that when performed before the weight training, the cardio routine reduces the intensity of the exercises.
Such a section in the weight lifting log can help one better keep track of the evolution. Did you know that mood for instance affects your training? If you include a section for mood in the log, you will be able to determine if the success of your exercises is not influenced or impaired by the way you feel when you train. Normally, pertinent observations can only be made if you analyze the weight training log entries for several weeks in a row. If you see that at 5 pm on Mondays, you feel energized and this is a common occurrence, that means you’ve found a perfect time to train and you should stick to the program.
Supplements For Weightlifting – Should We Use It?
When somebody starts weightlifting, strongly adviced to have attention on his/her weightlifting nutrition.
Advertisements for weightlifting supplements seem to convince us that there is no muscle gain without them. The food we eat contains natural ingredients that have a very serious impact on a bodybuilding program. What you may not know is that certain foods can boost up muscle growth by triggering the mechanisms of biological chemical secretions. To cut a long story short: weightlifting supplements can be synthetic or natural. Safe or dangerous, efficient or inefficient, weightlifting supplements sell; only a careful selection can keep you healthy and trouble-free when administrating such products.
Natural weightlifting supplements are sometimes hard to get if we think about the multitude of so-called natural products that do not carry FDA approval. A good idea to choose a product is on recommendation. A coach or a health care provider can be a great source of information, because such professionals can provide information about the principles that rule bodybuilding nutrition at its best. Many weightlifting supplements contain protein, because it is known to increase muscle mass, others rely on vitamins and minerals exclusively. Herbal extracts are also common ingredients because some plants act as a stimulant of the hormone secretion.
Amino acids are other weightlifting supplements held in high esteem. These substances are usually available in a large number of foods and can be taken from daily meals without the need for supplementation. Every type of amino acid plays a separate role in the maintenance and the growth of the muscle fibers. Meat and fish are the richest in amino acids, or you can choose to buy some very concentrated but expensive weightlifting supplements to increase the daily intake. One danger here is body over-stimulation as many amateur weightlifters administrate supplements chaotically.
We should also point out that weightlifting supplements are sometimes used for recovery purposes in order to produce muscle mass in a shorter period of time. The majority of such intense ingredients are of a synthetic origin and they should be used with care and caution. Whichever you decide it is best for your bodybuilding nutrition, make sure that the products you buy have a certification from a medical center, preferably from the Drug and Food Administration. If the product is approved, at least you have a guarantee concerning the safety and the health risks. Do not administrate randomly, and do not overdose, just follow the instructions carefully!
Weightlifting Equipment – How Can We Use It?
As rising popularity of weightlifting so the increasing demand and need for weightlifting equipments. Machines and weights, they represent the basic weightlifting equipment for regular training. When making purchases for gyms, business owners usually inquire about the quality and warranties of the weightlifting equipment, also considering the features of the space when shopping. If you have never been to a gym before, you’ll certainly feel intimidated by your first contact with the weightlifting equipment. It is pretty difficult to start using the machines if you know nothing about them, and learning from observation is not always the best idea. Here are some of the machines and items that you’ll certainly use.
Normally, there are two main types of weightlifting equipment: free weights and machines. The free weights get their name from their use together with pulleys, pins, weight stacks and cables. And the regular exercises rely on dumbbells, barbells and weight plates. You attach the plates to the barbells and lift them with both hands. Olympic barbells are 7 feet in length and weigh 45 pounds. Smaller versions are also available, and you should find less demanding weightlifting equipment in gyms. The dumbbells are the short barbell variant, as these items are designed for training with a single hand.
Plastic and iron are the main materials used for weight plates. These items are an essential part of weightlifting equipment and you can’t call yourself an amateur lifter without them. A next highly important element in the gym is the bench. Designs include flat, inclined and declined benches. The benches without racks are used for practicing with dumbbells while those with racks are necessary for barbells. Machines also deserve special attention and consideration in the present discussion because of their usage extent and the popularity among body builders.
Both advantages and disadvantages come with the use of machines. If compared to free weights, this kind of weightlifting equipment is easier and safer to use. Preference goes for multi-functional machines that enable for more complex training, although there are items designed just for the training of specific groups of muscles. The main downside of such weightlifting equipment is the risk of making mistakes while performing exercises. A correct body inclination and posture are not that easy to achieve, which may lead to injuries. For beginners, professional assistance is required for the workout with machines.
Gym Weightlifting- Do I Need Them?
At this time there are plenty discussions and searches on weightlifting. What weightlifting is for?
Professional competition training is often associated with gym weightlifting, because of the need to strengthen the muscle for superior endurance. And in this situation weightlifting as a sport is overlapping with the concept of weight training. Regular weightlifting gear includes machines, benches, free weights, and they are all are available in gyms. Given the quality of the equipment, gym weightlifting is more complex, but you have to pay for the subscription to the gym monthly. We can openly state that training in an organized environment is superior to amateur home workout.
Gym weightlifting consists of exercises organized in sets or reps, aiming at increasing the strength and endurance level as well as the athlete’s muscle mass. The objectives of any professional or amateur trainee usually determine the combination of the exercises. The equipment should be carefully used, even under the guidance of a trainer in order to maximize the chances of correct execution. The more organized nature of gym weightlifting training reduces the number of accidents that cause injuries. Moreover, with professional aid, you should be able to make the exercises more efficient on the long run.
Weight machines, dumbbells and barbells represent the main gym equipment. Exercises are safer when you know what to do. The worst of gym scenarios refer to muscle breaks, strains, sprains and back injuries. The joints can also suffer extensive trauma if exercises are not performed correctly. If you are a novice, don’t start pulling at the weights randomly. Read some materials in advance and find out about the best way to prepare for the training workout. Talk to pros and find out about the best ways to perform certain exercises and then take up gym weightlifting.
Following the same routine in training will not be good for you on the long run. Lots of amateurs that practice gym weightlifting reach the so-called training plateau, from where there is no muscle evolution. The reason why your body fails to respond despite your constant training is that you train at the same level all the time, without modifications in the routine. Without novelties in the workout and the cycling of the exercises, you won’t be able to overcome the problem and the training will stagnate.
Where can you buy Muscle Building Supplements?
It does not matter if you need weight lifting bodybuidling supplements for just bulking up with the supplements and exercise in equal measure, or if you want the supplements to help increase your stamina and your energy levels, there are a huge variety of different weight lifting supplements to help you whatever your needs are. The downside to there being so many weight lifting supplements available is that it can be difficult to find what it is you really need and the best one for your needs.
There are plenty of places where weight lifting supplements can be purchased, and it takes a little time and patience to find the right one for you. One particular location where they can be bought is Genesis Nutrition. This is a popular place to find weight lifting supplements. A few of their most popular ranges is what is known as Super Creatine Capsules, Super Creatine powder 300, super weight gain, milk and egg protein, super smilax gold, amino acids, androstenedine, super creatine powder and many others as well.
Some other products that have proven to be quite popular are super carbo charge, super sterol complex, womens amino acids, super fat burners, super yohimbe products, super creatine pryuvate complex and many other super weight gain products.
There is always A1 Nutrition Products that also stock many natural bodybuilding supplements as well as other types of supplements. A1 Nutrition pride themselves on stocking excellent supplements and they think of themselves as the only place to go for all your supplement needs. They lean more to sports side of supplements as well as many body building supplements. They sell discounted supplements of the very highest quality.
Their main products at the moment are: Muscle Milk, NoX2, Designer Whey, Leptoprin-Anorex, Lipo 6, and Relacore. Their featured brands are: Cytosport, Pinnacle, Biotest, Champion Nutrition, ErgoPharm, SAN, Cytodyne, Muscletech, Atkins, Aubrey Organics, Country Life, Twinlab, BSN, Next Nutrition, Instone, Universal, EAS, Natures Best, Klein Becker, VPX, and more.
About Author: Haiming Jiang is an experienced bodybuilder. He also offers top quality body buiding training tips online.
Strategies For Maximum Muscle Gains
When it comes to training bodybuilding and gaining muscle, there are a lot of different theories. If you are a beginner, it is hard to know what the best way to gain muscle mass to your body is. We will discuss some good starting points.
Compound Exercises – Your focus should be with compound exercises. These are exercises that hit more than one muscle group at a time. For example, the squat, dead lift, bench press are all compound lifts. These exercises give you the ability to lift the most weight and thereby stimulate more muscle fibers.
Track your Progress – Write everything down. You want to lift heavier weights as time go by. You need to keep track of your progress and focus on increasing your strength. Sounds simple but not recording your workouts can cause you to forget from week to week how much you were lifting and how many reps you did.
Do not over train – Many people think that performing more reps and more sets is the way to go in their bodybuilding workouts. They believe that if they train more often and longer they will get better results. Your muscles do not grow while you are training them. They grow when they are resting. You need to allow the proper recovery for you body as a whole as well as the individual muscles.
Eat often – Professional body builders have been known to eat up to 10 times per day. They space out their meals, eat small amounts and eat often. You should shoot for 5-7 meals per day. You want to keep your muscles in an anabolic state and eating every 2-3 hours that you are awake will help you with this. When you do not eat often your body goes into a catabolic state and breaks down the muscles you have.
Mistakes in a Bodybuilding Diet
We will discuss some common mistakes in bodybuilding concerning diet. We will discuss what to do about these mistakes.
Not giving one diet enough time – Don’t expect to change your diet and then make great gains in a matter of a week. It can take 3 weeks for your body to get used to your new diet. Think of your diet as helping your bodybuilding workouts, not a means to an end in itself. Meaning, if you have a perfect diet, that alone won’t do it. The laws of muscle building still apply. You will have to lift weight and recover before your muscles will grow. And this takes time. So don’t keep changing your diet because you are not getting quick results.
Not counting calories – This applies most to those competing in bodybuilding. If this is your job or you just want to be the best you can be when competing, then you must track everything. This includes tracking your food intake. Carbs, fats and proteins. You might not be meeting your bodybuilding goals because you are not eating the right amount of carbs, fat or protein.
Relying on supplements too much – Supplements are just that. They supplement your diet and it is your diet and training with rest, that will give you your success for packing on muscle.
Inconsistent eating – You need to be consistent in how often and how much you eat. Stick to your plan and don’t alter it. Missing meals is going to hurt your goal of muscle growth. You made the plan for a reason, now stick with it.
Judging success by your Scale – If you are trying to trim down your fat, don’t just rely on the scale. Scales are deceiving as you can lose muscle and think you are on the right track or gain muscle mass and think you did not lose fat.
Should you build bigger muscle with high intensity training?
As stated in my previous article, there are different ways to build muscle fast. You have to ask yourself some questions. How often do you want to go to the gym? How hard (intense) do you want to train when you are there. If you do not want to go to failure, then you probably do not want to follow a high intensity routine. In this routine you would lift the weight until you can not do any more reps. it’s not easy and requires a great deal of will power.
When training with high intensity, you will need a lot of time to recover. Maybe a few days to a week or more per body part. If you enjoy going to the gym a lot and do not want to push yourself with high intensity training, you might want to try another routine,. One where you can not go to failure and save a little bit for the next workout which might be a few days later.
I prefer high intensity and I believe it is the fastest way to gain muscle but not the only way. And there are so many hours in the day. Why spend too long in the gym and too long training each body part. Hit each body part once a week and hit them hard. Then rest and eat. Go to failure on each set or close to failure and do not do more than a couple of sets per exercise and a couple of sets per body part.
So remember, if you train with high intensity, train only for a short period of time and not too often. Get the rest and nutrition you need to recover and grow. Train, eat, rest, and grow is the formula to build bigger muscle.