Working Out to Build Muscle

While many people are working out to lose weight, those past the weight loss stage are seeking the addition of muscle. This is what celebrity trainers are constantly geared to—taking an in-shape or slender frame, and making it attractive by adding muscle in the right places. In fact, a runway slim figure is not what is driving the popularity of sexy stars today—a more voluptuous look has become accepted and highly desirable. Mike Alexander, Jessica Simpson’s trainer, helped her lose eight pounds while insisting that he wanted her to keep her flesh in her thighs, buttocks and other areas. The Dukes of Hazzard star gained a lot of muscle to achieve her Daisy Duke look. While muscle building is traditionally associated only as a masculine activity, recently the idea of female beauty has changed also, and calf muscles, abdominal muscles, and a generally toned body have gained a lot of appeal and put a lot of women back in the gym.

Just because one is slender does not mean they are in shape, nor does it mean that they are muscular. Resistance training can help build strength. You can use a body fat calculator to see just how much fat you have in comparison to your body statistics. Of course, there is no elevator to getting a muscular body—it comes with hard works. This is what drives many people to use steroids—but this is dangerous and can have many adverse affects. If you really want to gain muscle quickly, balance your straining with a high protein diet that is rich in meats, eggs, and perhaps a multi-vitamin. You can also try weight gaining shakes that are enhanced with creatine or other substances to help you add on pounds which you can then convert to muscle.

Muscle weighs more than fat does, so you may feel you are quickly losing shape instead when you see higher number on the scales. But don’t be alarmed—muscle is far denser than fat, therefore giving a higher weight for the same inch to inch volume.

Many trainers suggest eating several small meals a day when trying to gain muscle. This gives you a constant energy level throughout the day. It is easier for the body to digest small portions of food than a large meal all at once. Either way, you will definitely want to include lots of protein rich foods in your diet. Some restaurants, such as Village Inn, have an entire separate menu of protein rich foods.

When you do start working out, don’t work the same muscle group two days in a row. The muscles need time to reform and heal properly before you work them out again. If you are working out at a gym, it is not a bad idea to get a trainer at first, to make sure you are on the right track and to prevent injury. Generally, high repetition and low weights are better for gentle toning, while higher weights and less repetitions are used to build bulkier muscle.