Working out a lot, eating well, and trying to build muscle but just not seeing the results that were promised? It might simply be down to a few key errors that are easily fixable, and more often than not they’re very easy to implement. Let’s see what inhibits muscle growth and how it can be fixed.
Wrong kinds of eating plans and supplementation
It’s always worth talking to professional medics and dieticians before planning any major diet and fitness changes, especially if it’s something relatively intense like beginning a bodybuilding journey, where building muscle mass is essential.
Protein supplements and other vitamins, taken alongside properly prescribed steroid treatments from Canadian Made Labs (canadianmadelabs.com) are a great way to enhance a high-quality diet that is being medically monitored.
However, it’s important to note that consuming enough calories from high-quality sources of protein, dairy, and carbohydrates is also essential for proper anabolic growth. As well as supplements, real food is essential – lean meats, full-fat dairy, and wholegrain carbohydrates are perfect for this.
Not enough strength training
This is something that perhaps isn’t discussed enough. When trying to build lean muscle there’s actually a case to make for increasing strength training and reducing cardio. The latter burns more calories and should only be done in low to moderate amounts, whereas strength training simply stabilizes the core of the body and doesn’t need so much in terms of calorific refueling afterward.
Not enough rest
There is another misconception that rest is being lazy. No! When training and trying to increase muscle mass for bodybuilding rest is equally as important as body movement itself. Once a body becomes over-stressed from too much training it almost starts to fight itself, and weight loss and muscle loss occur.
When an overtrained body is stressed, it releases the hormone cortisol. Too much of this hormone leads to an increase in inflammation and a decrease in testosterone. Train yes, but rest and sleep too. Also, watch the number of workouts undertaken – high-impact training should be done on no more than five days of the week as any more than that can lead to muscle damage.
Too much weight training
To ensure muscle is built steadily and safely then when weight training it’s important to use a heavier weight than your body is accustomed to. This is so that strength will be increased and growth can be stimulated.
However, don’t go in there all glutes blazing. Start gently with lighter weights, train and get used to them, and steadily increase as you go along. Weight training this way ensures safe and steady muscle growth and allows the body time to adjust and heal. Starting too high or with a weight that is too much will exacerbate pain and muscle soreness and will likely lead to longer periods of rest and recovery in between sessions.
If there is any doubt about the type of weights needed to help build up muscle, then it’s always best to speak to a professional personal trainer who will be able to help and guide and give an individual training plan best suited to building lean muscle mass slowly and over the right time frame, depending on body shape, type, and weight.
