Is it really possible to build serious muscle at home?

[ellenellen]

I'm wondering if I have heavy enough weights and if videos can really do it? I attempted to do "Body for Life" strength training at home today. I discovered I don't have heavy enough weights to make it work. I have 25 lb dumbbells and 52 max on my barbell. I hate lifting in a gym, but if that's the only way I can build more muscle maybe I'll have to force myself to do that.

Do you have to be able to go heavy or will increased reps give you the muscle teardown to build muscle? Will S & H give me increased muscle mass if I'm pretty strong already?

 

[jgoycoolea]

I would love to hear Cathe's response to this.

I was on a home heavy lifting program late winter into early summer. When I quit, I was deadlifting 85 pounds and doing bent over barbell rows with 60. These were straight sets with 8-15 reps X 4 sets with a few minutes rest inbetween. However, I eventually encountered problems with various exercises--some sooner than others. For instance, I didn't have enough plates and I needed a spotter.

Now, when I do Cathe's more "routines"--higher reps, less rest, varying speeds up and down, there is no way on earth I can go as heavy.

So I wonder the same thing--will her routines also build--NOT just MAINTAIN muscle?

Jeanne

 

[ellenellen]

I also hope Cathe sees this one! I read in a book "Business plan for the Body" (I think that's the correct title) that it doesn't matter whether you break down the muscle with high rep/light wt or low rep/heavy weight. I have never heard that said before. I thought there was a difference in slow/fast twitch muscle fibers and it made a difference how heavy you lifted.

So building muscle at home might be limited since you can't lift as heavy in a gym.

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi ellenellen! Muscle confusion is always effective for keeping the muscles challenged and responding, but if your goal is to continuously build muscle mass, then yes, you will have to gradually increase your weights at some point.