When we weight train, we expect our muscles to become stronger and larger in size – but is that always true? Are there people who are non-responders to strength training? Find out what science says about this issue.
Sure, it’s important to stay hydrated, especially if you’re doing endurance exercise. But, what about strength training? Can hydration impact muscle hypertrophy gains?
Can you build muscle on a low-carb diet? Find out what science shows about muscle hypertrophy and low-carb dieting and whether a diet very low in carbs limits muscle growth in response to resistance training.
So many athletes pop an ibuprofen or two when their muscles or joints aches. What impact does this have on muscle hypertrophy? Can taking NSAID of all types interfere with muscle hypertrophy?
Stretching – we do it for a number of reasons, but to cause the muscle to grow in size isn’t one of them. However, there is some evidence that stretching aids in muscle hypertrophy. Find out how.
If you take a branched-chain amino acid supplement, will it help you develop more muscle? Find out what role branched-chain amino acids play in muscle growth and whether supplements are beneficial.
Your muscles can grow and become stronger with training but there’s variability in how much an individual’s muscle can grow. Why do some people develop muscle and strength so easily while others struggle? What affects muscle hypertrophy?
Muscles will grow in size if you force them to work harder than they’re accustomed to. In fact, there are three main ways in which muscles grow. Find out what they are and how you can use them to fine-tune your muscle hypertrophy workout.
For years, trainers have said to train hard to boost hormones like testosterone and growth hormone, anabolic hormones that aid in muscle growth. No doubt, you SHOULD train hard but not necessarily to churn out more growth hormone and testosterone. Research suggests that even if you do produce more of these hormones briefly in response to exercise, it may not increase your gains. Find out more.
Without change your muscles will adapt to the stimulus you place on them and stop growing. One way to vary a resistance workout is to change the lifting tempo or timing of each rep. Super-slow training is one way to promote muscle hypertrophy – but what about a fast rep speed?
Muscles grow in response to overload but changes don’t happen overnight. Each time you lift weights or do any form of resistance training, there’s a lot going on at the cellular level. Find out what goes on inside your muscles after a training session and factors that influence how much muscle growth you can achieve.
Muscles grow when you subject them to heavier loads than their accustomed to. One way to do this is by lifting to muscle failure. This technique is common among lifters trying to develop strength. Is it necessary to use this technique to maximize muscle growth? Find out what research shows.
