How to build Muscle fast step #1 – Strength = Muscle
Start doing some strength training. Weightlifting is ideal for this because you can start off as light as you need to and build it up gradually to the heaviest weights. The more strength you have the more muscle you have. When you start to lift weights make sure you learn the proper technique of lifting and you start with an empty bar before gradually building it up. Another type of exercises to add are bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups and reverse crunches.

How to build muscle fast step #2 – Machines are bad for you
Try only using free weights in your training. Machines force you into awkward and un-natural positions which can lead to injury.

How to build muscle fast step #3 – Don’t imitate the pro’s
Professional bodybuilders have build their muscles up and have had years to build a base strength and muscle mass. When you’re starting out do exercises that work several muscles at the same time like push-ups, bench presses and squats.

How to build muscle fast step #5 – Your legs are important
Training your legs is the ultimate in exercise. Squats exercise your whole body and once you hit the target of being able to squat one and a half times your body weight you will see a huge change in your muscles. When practicing squats make sure they are free weight squats where your hips come lower than your knees.

How to build muscle fast step #6 – Full body workouts = results
The kind of exercises you will see professional bodybuilders use are called isolation exercises. These are ok once you have a sufficient muscle mass to back them up. Isolation training of certain muscle groups is fine once you have a solid base. Along with squats try things like deadlifts, barbell rows and overhead presses to see the speed at which you build muscles quickly.

How to build muscle fast step #7 – You need to rest
Don’t try to do too much too soon. Yes, professionals might train 5 or 6 times a week but they didn’t start off that way. If you try to copy them you will only injure yourself. Build up your training schedule gradually for maximum gain.

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Since most people are interested in saving money, this article will reveal the 10 most inexpensive sources of whole protein to consume while trying to build muscle.

Tuna contains 40 grams of protein per can.  Look for tunafish that has been packed in brine or spring water.  There is no need to worry about mercury; eating one can of tuna daily is safe.  There is more cause for concern with the mercury in vaccines or dental fillings.

Eating whole eggs are an excellent source of protein when strength training. Some people say that you shouldn’t eat yolks because they are high in cholesterol. Personally I think you would be better off lowering your body fat than tossing the yolk if you are worried about high cholesterol. The body’s cholestrol is not bound to it’s blood cholestrol. The yolk contains half the eggs protein along with the vitamins A, D, and E.

A scoop of whey protein contains 24 – 30 grams of protein per serving. You can buy a bag of whey for around $85 (£55) which will last you about ten weeks at two scoops per day.  This is a very economical way to increase your protein consumption while strength training, but you should strive to vary your protein sources.

Ground beef or mince contains approx. 25 grams of protein per 100 gram serving.  Purchase ground beef that is at least 80% lean.  If the lean beef is too expensive you can buy the regular ground beef and rinse the fat from the meat.  It is possible to reduce the content of fat by nearly 50%.

Milk provides 30 grams of protein per liter and can help a skinny guy put on weight quickly.  If you are worried about the fat content, either drink fat free milk or avoid it completely.

Chicken breast will provide you with 25 grams of protein in each 100 gram serving.  Cooking the meat on a George Foreman Grill or something similar will give the best results.  If you have frozen the meat, be sure to eat it within 2 months of placing in the freezer for the best taste.

Cottage cheese provides 12 grams of protein in each 100 gram serving.  Many Europeans will eat Quark cheese since it is cheaper to buy than cottage cheese.

Ground turkey provides the same amount of protein as the chicken breast.  The more expensive versions are made from 100% turkey breast while the cheaper ones will contain some skin and a higher fat content.  If you purchase the cheaper cut, rinse it as recommended for the ground beef.

Canned mackerel is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.  It contains much less mercury than tuna fish.  Many people think it is much tastier than tuna fish.

Calves liver contains 20 grams of protein in each serving.  It is packed with nutrients and is low in fat.  Liver is safe to consume, contrary to what you may have heard.

To further cut the cost of buying protein rich foods while strength training or trying to build muscle, buy generic.  Buying food in bulk will usually reflect a discounted price.  Eating enough protein is important to reaching your fitness goals, so you should do all you can to buy the food you need.

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If you have not read the most recent clinical research regarding intra-workout supplementation, then you should. This is because it can permanently change the way you choose to train to build your muscles during bodybuilding.

Whether you are a part-time or full-time bodybuilder, your goal is the same: create a physique that is built of lean muscle with density. Anyone who is into bodybuilding is aware of how nutrition, before and after workouts, can affect muscle building results. Yet, not everyone is aware of intra-workout supplementation and how it can impact muscle strength and gains.

If you are in the dark about intra-workout supplementation, then you have come to the right source to find out about it. Currently, there are all kinds of studies that support intra-workout supplementation as a muscle builder that is key in facilitating top gym performance, as well as creating an anabolic benefit that will result in personal size and strength increases.

Resistance Training Can Actually Work Against Your Bodybuilding Goals, Unless You Do Something to Change It

Whether a bodybuilder realises it or not, catabolic signals are released during resistance training. These signals can have a limiting effect on one’s muscles.In addition, this type of training can cause changes in the turnover of muscle proteins. This can result in the synthesis of protein, as well as the degradation.

An additional clinical study identified that there was a negative amount of total muscle protein balance during the initial time period of muscle recovery. When bodybuilding, it is extremely important to restrict the breakdown of your muscles. The key to avoiding breakdown is for the bodybuilder to create an anabolic benefit by utilizing supplements and the timing of delivering nutrients during training.

The degeneration of muscles results from the failure of the bodybuilder to utilize the correct nutrients to support muscle recovery following a workout. Anyone who is interested in maximum muscle benefits should know that an alarming clinical study shows that large amounts of catabolic hormones are released during resistance exercise. These hormones increase the chances for losing muscle and strength.

The point is that you have to combat the body’s negative response to resistance training. The only way to do this is to control the levels of insulin by using effective nutritional strategies.

Muscle Energy Dictates Level of Performance

Your muscle energy has a lot to do with actual performance of the muscles. Unfortunately, during bodybuilding training, the elements that generate such energy are reduced. Therefore, it is important to keep up the levels of electrolytes, amino acids and glycogen during training. That is where intra-workout supplements can really help you out.

Build Amazing Amounts of Lean Muscle With Intra-Workout Supplementation: Clinical Research Supports It

While most people who train to build muscle realize the benefits of post-workout nutrition for combating catabolism, many bodybuilders need to realize that they can permanently alter the way they attain muscle by taking advantage of intra-workout supplementation. Studies supported by clinical results show that test subjects using intra-workout supplementation gained amazing amounts of muscle vs. those who did not partake in this type of supplement. In addition, they also were able to avoid an excess secretion of catabolic hormones and combat the breakdown of their muscles. This supplement can truly aid the bodybuilder in achieving his goals in a timely manner.

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Besides helping people to lose weight, weight training can help menopausal women avoid osteoporosis by increasing their bone mass. Other helpful effects of weight training for those who are trying to lose weight include an increase in your metabolic rate (that even lasts for a short time after finishing exercise) so that you burn even more calories, and the fact that you are also increasing your endurance and your strength.

When people start a weight training routine as a part of weight loss efforts, they might see an initial weight gain. This is not something to be worried about since muscle weighs more than fat. However, fat takes up more room, so although the number on the scale has gone up, your measurements have probably gone down. You can take your measurements with a tape measure and you will see that you are actually getting skinnier.

In addition to diet and weight training, for best results you should also include some cardio or aerobics in order to help build up your heart and lungs and burn even more calories. You can alternate weight lifting days with cardio days so that your training doesn’t take too long each day.

Make sure that in addition to your exercise efforts you are also eating healthily. You want to make sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as foods from all four food groups in your diet.

Weight lifting can really make a big difference in your weight loss efforts, especially when combined with cardio like bike riding or walking. Although some women are afraid to add this component because they don’t want their muscles to get too big, it is actually really unlikely. You would have to lift really large weights very frequently in order to accomplish this. Weight lifting will mainly just tone your muscles and make them a bit stronger. Toned muscles will mean a much better looking body after you lose the weight as well as while you are in the process of dieting.

Resources: Beat Menopause Weight Gain

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What is Strength Training?

There are two ways to strengthen your body and the first it through relative strength training. This training is ideal for men and women who need endurance rather than big bulky bodies. People who train for this kind of strength might be runners, cyclists, gymnasts, rock climbers, basketball players, soccer players and other professional athletes. For these kinds of athletes, bulk is not a benefit it is a hindrance making it more difficult for them to have quick reaction times and the speed that benefits them in their sports. These men and women build their strength to its maximum level while carefully monitoring their calories. They also include cardiovascular exercise in their routines to prevent bulk.

Another form of strength training is called absolute strength training. These are men and women who focus on muscle mass rather than being lean. The goal is to become bigger and stronger. Weight lifters, defensive and offensive linemen, some baseball players, professional wrestlers, and fitness models are examples of things that require muscle mass rather than a streamlined body. Being bigger and stronger is the goal of those who apply the absolute strength method of strength training.

What are the Benefits of Strength Training?

There was once a time that if you worked you were probably in shape. With the exception of the standard office jobs, most workers were required to work laborious positions. Without many of the modern conveniences even simple chores like mowing the lawn required muscle strength that is lacking today. People walked more and worked harder, something that we simply do not have to do today with our cars, riding lawn mowers and other modern conveniences.

Strength training can provide you with many benefits the most obvious of which is building muscle. While strength training is not the same as bodybuilding (bodybuilding is a whole other animal altogether), building muscle is a direct result of strength training. For those who want to minimize the amount of muscle they obtain while training then a strong focus need to be made in regards to calories eaten and cardio exercise.

You are going to burn more fat while strength training as well. As you build muscle, your fat starts to disappear. The more you use your muscles the faster you burn your fat. The end result is a low percentage of fat on your body. In fact, women can realize a year round body fat percentage rate of 15% while men can maintain 10%, a very healthy goal. This is done with the combination of eating well and strength training.

Another wonderful benefit of strength training is the benefit that it offers for your health. You will find that you sleep better, have less joint and muscle pain and your bones will get stronger. What’s more, you will find that it improves your heart health as well, especially in combination with a healthy diet by lowering your blood pressure and improving your cholesterol scores.

Lastly, most people find that when they commit to strength training they are able to commit to other areas of their lives. By learning self-discipline, self-control, and perseverance, you are building character. Once you have learned how to maintain the level of commitment you need to strength train it is difficult to not allow it to bleed into the rest of your life.

How do You Build Strength?

There is a process to building strength, it doesn’t happen overnight and the kicker is that it is different for every person depending on his or her current fitness level, health, and body fat. Different fitness programs work differently as well.

The 5X5 workout program works on the stress principle. You force stress onto your body with strength training, your body reacts by increasing its strength to combat the stress being applied. As time goes on you will increase the resistance in order to avoid leveling out. As time goes on you will reduce the amount of stress you are applying so that you can increase it again so the body is tricked into increasing its endurance once again.

The great thing about strength training is that you do not have to have a lot of special equipment. A pull up bar (you can purchase one that hangs in a doorframe) and some free weights will provide you with everything that you need to create the body that you want. If you are using free weights, start slow, there is nothing wrong with building up to heaver weights. Better to go slow than to put on to much weight and injure yourself (slowing down your training even further). Most traditional weight lifting exercises are perfect for strength training.

Resistance exercises with a pull up bar is going to provide you with additional strength training as well. If you don’t have access to a pull up bar and do not want to purchase one you can provide resistance exercises with traditional pushups as well as non-traditional such as chair pushups, Hindu pushups, knuckle pushups, one armed pushups and more.

If you have money to spend on equipment or a gym then consider using weight machines to strength train. Machines provide a more balanced workout and prevent uneven workouts (when one side of the body is stronger than another). The only limitation is the amount of weight the machine allow.

As you can see, strength training offers many benefits for your personality, your health and your body. Learning how to do it properly is important to prevent injury; however, once you learn how, the benefits will be with you for the rest of your life.

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What are the 10 sets of 10 reps all about? This is a method used to break through new plateaus and build lean muscle mass. This method has been around since the start of the 1960s. It is also extremely popular, having been used by plenty of well known bodybuilders including Vince Gironda, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dave Draper.

The 10 sets of 10 reps are used by plenty of athletes and coaches alike. For example, Coach Charles Poliquin puts it to use on his Olympic athletes. If building lean muscle mass as quickly as possible is what you wish to do then the 10 sets of 10 reps is for you!

How the 10×10 Method Works

This method works wonders at increasing muscle mass because it wears down and tires the muscles that are being put to work. To get started on the 10 sets of 10 reps routine, a mass building exercise must first be decided upon. Next you need to choose a weight that will allow you to do 15 or more repetitions.

Do 10 repetitions and then stop and take a break. Rest for one minute (but no more) between sets. As you begin to fatigue more and more, do not increase your resting period. This will defeat the purpose of systematically fatiguing the given muscle groups. What you are aiming to do is to use the exact same weight for 10 sets of 10.  You want to be able to do all 10 reps in as good a form as possible.

As you build up the number of sets you do, the challenge will become greater and greater, due to the fatigue level increasing. If it becomes too difficult you may not be able to perform 10 sets for 10 reps. That is okay. Do not be too hard on yourself as you will build up to it. What you can do is to lower the weight if you are unable to complete all 10 at once. Do this for awhile and then try the 10 sets for 10 reps again. Once you can do 10 for 10 then increase the weight to what you started with originally.

Exercises Included in the 10×10 Program

Once you have mastered the 10 sets for 10 reps then you are on your way! It is always wise to add in another form of exercise that targets the larger muscle groups of the body. The purpose of this is to work from a new and different angle. Perform the new exercise for 3 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions.

How do you do the 10 sets of 10 reps bodybuilding program? Read on to find out …

Workout # 1- Thighs/Hamstrings/Calves

Superset:

Squats 10 sets of 10 reps (no rest required)
Leg Curls 10 sets of 10 reps (one minute of rest is needed)

Superset:

Leg Extension 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps (no rest is required)
Stiff Legged Dead-lifts 3 sets of 10 reps (one minute of rest is needed)

Calf Raises 10 sets of 10 reps (one minute of rest but no more)

Workout # 2- Chest/Back/Abs

Superset:

Incline Bench Press 10 sets of 10 reps (no rest is required)
Wide Grip Pull-up to Front 10 sets of 10 reps (one minute of rest is needed)

Superset:

Flat Bench Flyes 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps (no rest is needed)
Low Pulley Rows 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps (one minute of rest is required)

Leg Raise and Crunch Combination 10 sets of 10 reps (one minute of rest required)

Workout # 3- Shoulders/Biceps/Triceps

Upright Rows 10 sets of 10 reps (one minute of rest is needed)

Bent Over Lateral Raises 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps (one minute of rest is needed)

Superset:

Incline Curls 10 sets of 10 reps (no rest is required)
Triceps Dips 10 sets of 10 reps (one minute of rest is needed)

How Often Should You Work Out?

How often you need to work out is something that you will have to figure out for yourself. The frequency is not the same for everyone. In general, you need to consider your body type- whether it be endomorph, mesomorph or ectomorph- and formulate a routine based on that.

General Guidelines Based on Body Type

Endomorphs

People with this body type have a slower rate of metabolism but an ability to recuperate faster. Aim to work each body part twice a week. For example do workout # 1 on Monday and Thursday, workout # 2 on Tuesday and Friday and workout # 3 on Wednesday and Saturday. Take Sunday off and relax.

Mesomorphs

These individuals are blessed with natural muscle and leanness. The schedule they need for their workouts is different than that for the endomorphs. An ideal schedule for a mesomorph would be on day one do workout # 1, on day two rest, on day three do workout # 2, rest on day four, on day five do workout # 3 and on day six start the cycle all over again, beginning with workout # 1.

This unique schedule ensures that no body part gets neglected. Every body part gets its fair share of a workout once every five days of the cycle. This type of workout schedule affords good recuperation for the individuals who have good intentions but find it difficult to be training at the gym six days a week, because of their busy work schedules.

Ectomorphs

Sometimes called “hardgainers”, ectomorphs comprise the body type that is skinny by nature and does not gain weight easily. These individuals also have a very fast metabolism, akin to Jughead of the Archie Comic Books. If this is you then your best bet is to train every other day, instead of every day. If you are unable to train during the weekends because of work or family commitments then try this sequence- Monday, Wednesday and Friday do workout # 1 on Monday to start the week. On Wednesday do workout # 2 and then to end the week, on Friday do workout # 3.

Important to note- As a person in training to build leaner muscle mass, you will know when it is time to alter your workouts to better suit your purpose. After you have gone through all three workouts an average of six times, modify your routine.  Select heavier weights and perform five to six repetitions. Heavier weights for less sets is the way to go. A good choice at this point in time is to do a different series of exercises with 5 sets of 5 reps.

More information on body types: Nutrition tailored to your body type

Seven Reasons to Increase Your Lean Muscle Mass

High volume bodybuilding can do so much more than give you a better physique. Read on for seven important reasons to increase your lean muscle mass.

1. Increase your metabolism- Strength training allows the body to burn more calories in the run of a day by raising the metabolic rate.

2. Less chance of coronary disease- Your heart will thank you for your efforts. You will lower your blood pressure and decrease your level of bad cholesterol (LDL) levels.

3. Improve balance and mobility- You will have better balance (and therefore coordination, flexibility and ease of mobility. This equals stronger, more resilient muscles and subsequently, fewer falls and accidents to worry about.

4. Optimal performance achieved- No matter what type of physical fitness you take part in, your performance will vastly improve thanks to the addition of strength training to your routine.

5. Improvement in bone density- Strength training helps to enhance and restore density to the bones. This is particularly important as you age. Living a sedentary lifestyle can cause bones to become brittle and more prone to breakage over time.

6. Less worries over injuries- Plenty of life-related injuries and sports-related injuries can be reduced and prevented thanks to exercises that strengthen the muscles and joints.

7. Slow the aging process- No one is in a hurry to age, are they? Slow down the process by taking excellent care of your bones. Exercise of any kind is worthwhile but adding an element of strength training to build lean muscle mass can keep the body functioning at an above average level.

The body ages more gracefully and slowly when strength training is a consistent part of a person’s schedule. Not to mention the fact that strength training adds “strength” to the body. The stronger the body is built up to be, the better it is able to withstand pressures from the inside and out. Aerobic and athletic pursuits are easier to cope with as well which means a person can enjoy a variety of forms of physical fitness.

The Key to the Success of These Workouts

Looking at these exercises on a long term basis, what you need to do is work out with heavier weights for shorter spans of time. Aim for high intensity. It is the quality of the workouts that makes the biggest difference. Some bodybuilders choose to take a supplement to help increase muscle growth, along with the strength training that they are involved in.

Eat Right to Build Right

Nourishment is extremely important for a bodybuilder. A bodybuilder cannot gain in muscle if he does not nourish his body with the foods it requires. Make sure you take a look at what you are eating on a regular basis. If you are not eating right then it is time to make some positive dietary changes.

Bodybuilders need to eat a healthy combination of carbohydrates, proteins and foods low in fat. While it is standard for most people to eat three meals a day, try something different to encourage your bodybuilding regime. Break your meals down into five or six smaller meals throughout the day. Eat lean meats, seafood, whole grains, pasta, low fat milk and lots of fruits and vegetables.

As well never forget the importance of drinking water. When your body is under the stress and strain of strength training this is incredibly important to bear in mind. Energy drinks and fruit juices are fine to drink but do not overdo them. Plain and simple water all by itself is still the best source of liquid nourishment for your body. Water is not called “Mother Nature’s cocktail” for nothing!

The Value of Sleep

Never underestimate the value of sleep to your overall level of health- and to your bodybuilding efforts. Your muscles do not grow as you work out but rather while you are asleep. For this reason, it is so important to get the right amount of sleep each and every night. The recommended amount is seven to eight hours. If you lose sleep on a given night, catch up on it as quickly as you can.

If you consistently deprive your body of the sleep it needs, this can lead to sleep depravation. Sleep depravation will serve to create a lack of energy. It will awaken hormones that you do not want awakened. A hormone called cortisol will begin to be produced in large quantities. This hormone will sabotage your efforts to build lean muscle mass. Cortisol is responsible for depositing fat and destroying muscle. This hormone also decreases the production of the hormone testosterone which can then sabotage your efforts even more. Don’t let the presence of this hormone take you down and destroy months of hard work! Make sleep a priority and make sure you get your zzzz’s every night!

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Besides having a physiological effect on your body, EFAs can also make a difference in how hard you can train, how well you recover, how easily you are injured, and how quickly you build up muscle and lose fat, though the effective doses for these effects are often a lot higher than the RDA (recommended daily allowance) for these nutrients.

You need to have a certain amount of fat in your diet in order to stay healthy. Without fat in your diet you can’t absorb, transport, or store the vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are fat soluble. These vitamins are important because they are necessary in order for the body to be able to make certain parts of cells and certain hormones.

While it is important to get a little bit of each of the different types of fat in your diet, there is one type of fat that is essential to your survival. The body cannot make essential fatty acids (EFAs) on its own. These fatty acids include two different types, linoleic acids (also known as omega 6 fatty acids) such as GLA and alpha-linolenic acids (also known as omega 3 fatty acids) such as EPA and DHA. All other types of fatty acids can be made by the body from carbohydrates, fats, and protein, but the omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids have a double bond that the human body cannot create since it is too far from the delta end of the carbon chain.

These essential fatty acids are important because they determine how cell membranes are composed and can affect inflammation in the body. Because Omega 3 fatty acids (which are found in fish oil and flax seed oil) can minimize inflammation, it is thought that they will improve the health of people suffering from inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, cancers, inflammatory bowel disease, and other conditions associated with aging. Other conditions in which these fatty acids are thought to be helpful include heart disease and depression.

Omega 3 fatty acids are also thought to be able to minimise the breakdown of muscle. This is helpful for those who are trying to add more muscle, as well as those who are looking to improve their exercise performance. Fish oils are thought to have some anti-catabolic properties, which is another way that exercise performance can be improved. Lactic acid is one of the end products of catabolic processes that causes pain during and after exercise, and by minimising the production of these end products it is likely people will be able to do better at reaching their exercise goals.

The essential fatty acids found in fish oil are thought to be able to increase fat loss and cause fat to be used more often as the main energy source, as well as making you more sensitive to insulin. This means that there might be benefits from taking fish oil for those who want to lose fat and weight in general.

Some of the essential fatty acids, including DHA, EPA and LNA have been shown to increase the breakdown of fat that is stored in the body as well as making it less likely that the body will store less additional fat. This is where the real weight loss benefits come in.

Another fatty acid that is important to your health is gamma linolenic acid (GLA). This fatty acid can help to suppress inflammation, both the acute and chronic types, and also lessens the body’s response to stress and anxiety. It works together with some of the essential fatty acids in order to do this.

The body uses GLA to make Prostaglandins, which are like hormones that regulate the immune system, the menstrual cycle, and circulation. They help to keep hormones balanced and keep cell growth at an optimum level.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is another fatty acid which is very beneficial. You can find this fatty acid in dairy products that have been through heat treatment and in meat. It is thought that this substance might be an anti carcinogen, as well as having strong antioxidant activity and being able to keep inflammation down.

For those concerned with body composition, CLA seems to be able to help change body composition so that people have more lean muscle mass and less body fat. It does this through making it harder for fat cells to add fat from the bloodstream and keeping new fat cells from forming. It also makes it so that cells can burn fat faster while still keeping muscle intact. The actions of CLA make it so that not only is fat loss increased, the formation of new fat is decreased. This means that it makes it easier to lose weight and keep it off.

In conclusion, essential fatty acids and some of the other types of fatty acids can make a big difference to you health, as well as your body composition and training. Although it is always best to get as much of your essential nutrients through your food as possible, it might be wise to take supplements containing the essential fatty acids in order to increase your levels of these nutrients.

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The finding in the NEJM study that 600 milligrams a week of testosterone didn’t produce adverse mental symptoms could be due to the brevity of the study or to the fact that not everyone responds to steroid usage – or to be more precise, abuse – in the same way. For example, in a report to the Endocrine Society in 1995, researchers noted that a deficiency of testosterone in 56 men produced personality characteristics (including anger and irritability) more commonly associated with steroid excess. When those 56 testosterone-deficient men were given supplemental testosterone injections, their personalities went from surly to genial.

A different conclusion was reached in a new study published in the Australian Medical Journal (165:222-26) that reviewed the evidence concerning the effects of anabolic steroids on the mind. Recent violent acts committed in Australia and allegedly related to steroid abuse seem to have precipitated this study.

The first case centered on a 29-year-old bodybuilder who beat his wife to death using a weapon described as a claw hammer. While he committed this horrific act, his four children were in another part of the house. He then shot himself in the head. Before this incident, his home life had been described as ‘‘happy.’’

This man had used steroids off and on for years, and seven weeks before the murder, he had used a steroid stack consisting of Winstrol-V and sustanon, both injectable steroids. A later urine test showed that he also used Valium, a muscle relaxant and anti-anxiety drug.

A second case involved a 22-year-old bodybuilder in Sydney. After taking a walk with a woman he had met in a nightclub, “something snapped” in the bodybuilder. He repeatedly bashed the woman’s head against a wall, then proceeded to kick her while she was lying on the ground. Although several experienced police investigators described the attack as the most brutal they had ever seen, the perpetrator of this deed merely left the scene and went home to bed.

This guy had just taken an eight-week course of Deca Durabolin, an injectable anabolic steroid. He said using the drug made him feel that he had “heaps more energy.” As well, he was “crankier, more aggressive, had an increased sex drive, and felt more uptight.” He had stopped taking the drug for two months, then resumed its use for three weeks before the murder. He was said to have come from a caring family and had never used drugs previously. He was also said to have never been violent. Significantly, he had drunk three liters of beer in the hours preceding the attack.

The author of this Australian review notes that steroids increase feelings of self-confidence, energy and motivation, as well as improve training ability. He also claims that the mental effects of steroids follow a continuum, often dependent on how large a dose is used or whether several steroids are taken at the same time. This continuum, according to the author, consists of the following:

• Early effects are reflected in mood changes and euphoria. Confidence increases, as do energy levels, self-esteem, motivation and enthusiasm. You experience less fatigue, sleep better and have an increased ability to train through pain. Sex drive usually increases, as does irritability, anger and a “strange, edgy feeling.”

• As doses increase or are taken for extended periods, a loss of inhibition occurs combined with impaired judgment, mood swings and grandiose ideas. This condition progresses until the user becomes suspicious, argumentative, impulsive and still more aggressive.

• Eventually, aggressive feelings reach a fever pitch, characterized by violent, hostile and antisocial behavior. This is full-blown ‘roid rage and can lead to self-inflicted injury, assault, divorce, domestic violence, child abuse and attempted murder. Not all people experience these feelings. Some researchers explain this paradox by suggesting that an underlying predisposition to such behavior can be brought to the surface by steroid abuse.

Another problem related to the psychological effects of steroids is what happens when the user stops taking them. Depression is common in former steroid users, who miss the elation brought on by the drugs. In fact, just about all positive mental feelings associated with steroid use reverse when one ceases taking them. The author of the Australian review says that, in some cases, violent behavior and moments of rage occur during the withdrawal phase.

Dependence on steroids can result when the user wishes to stave off loss of confidence as steroid-built muscles begin to atrophy. This dependence may also involve a modulation by steroids of brain chemicals, such as endogenous opioids, that control mood states.

An often-overlooked factor in discussions of the mental effects of steroids is how specific steroids modify behavior. For example, most studies that associate violent or antisocial tendencies with steroid use usually involve a more androgenic type of steroid, such as Anadrol-50 or testosterone. Animal studies in which mice were given a more anabolic, less androgenic steroid, such as stanozolol (Winstrol) documented no aggressive changes in behavior (General Pharmacology, 27:293-98).

Technorati Tags: anabolic steroids, mental effects of steroids, steroid use

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I’m going to tell you how a simple (but POWERFUL!) form change in your bench press can pay off with BIG DIVIDENDS in building mass on your chest!

Today, I want to share with you a VERY common mistake most people make when training their chest… Ignore this info at your own peril! The difference in muscle fiber stimulation is IMMENSE!

Here’s what I’m talking about…

Technorati Tags: bodybuilding, build chest muscle, chest training, weight lifting

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The abdominals and midsection region is composed of some significant muscles.   If the body has strong abs, it can exert more energy and focus toward a squat as an example and can hold the generated pressure like a weight belt would.

Not only are the abs important to many of the functions and movements used during your workout routines, but they play a significant role in the whole bodybuilding game.

In order for a competitive bodybuilder to place well, a great set of abs must be possessed.  Speaking aesthetically the mind and eye is instantly drawn to the abdominals. A midsection that has ripped abs represents an athlete that is in superior condition and perfectly displays the highly coveted V-taper.

Display the Coveted V-taper With a Ripped Midsection

By following a comprehensive training plan and a sensible eating plan it is possible to gain the sculpted and ripped abdominals that are so desirable.  While doing the work is part of the training routine, you will have to focus on following a body building friendly eating plan in order to see the results you are after.

Anatomy Lesson of the Abdominals

The abdominals are made up of several muscles that twist, extend, flex, and naturally stabilize the trunk of the body.  They are located on the front sides of the lower torso, originating at the ribcage and attach at the pelvis.  Let’s take a look at each of these muscles and their functions.

Rectus Abdominus:

This muscle is responsible for delivering the highly desirable “six pack.” It flexes along the length of the spine, bringing the pelvis and ribcage closer together.

Transverse Abdominus:

This muscle lies deep within the core, beneath several other muscles and is essential to trunk stability.

External & Internal Oblique’s:

These diagonal muscles work to stabilize the abdomen and rotate the torso.

Actions for Developing the Abdominals

Now that you understand a little bit about the abdominals and each muscles function, you’re ready to learn what will help you get phenomenal abdominals.  The routines and movements that are described will help you get the most out of each and every trip to the gym.

Make sure that you use good form and never use so much weight that you will be compromising your safety.  It is important while doing any type of abdominals movement to exercise steadfast control while doing the eccentric and concentric motions in order to avoid ballistic style reps.

Sit-ups and Crunches

The basic crunch is done by lying on the floor with the feet placed flat on the ground, the arms crossed in the front, and your hand clasped behind the head.  Once in position, the upper body and the knees are “crunched” toward each other.  The lower back should never leave the ground.  Only move the upper torso.  Squeeze the abs and exhale while lifting upward.  Squeeze the abs for a second before returning to the original position.  Never release the tension from the midsection.

To do a sit-up, assume the same starting position as for a crunch.  Curl the upper body all the way to the knees without moving the knees.  Uncurl and return to the original position.  While doing this movement you will strive to have you abs do the work without using your lower back.

Leg Raises:

To do a leg raise, lay on the ground, face up with the hands slightly out from your sides with the palms to the floor for support.  Keep your feet together while lifting your legs with the knees slightly bent until they are nearly perpendicular to the ground.  Slowly lower the legs to the starting position, never letting the heals touch the floor.

Side Crunches:

To do a side crunch lay on your side on the floor with the hands placed behind the head.  If necessary, use a foot support to stabilize the lower body.  Keep you hip in contact with the floor while crunching up on your side.  Squeeze for a second when you reach the top.  Next, return to the original position while resisting the urge to rest the upper body.  Repeat on both sides.

Bicycles:

The bicycle is a challenging exercise that can give you a good overall development of the abs, especially the obliques.

Lay flat on the floor with the feet raised slightly and the hands behind the head.  Twist the torso so that right elbow reaches the left knew and visa versa.  Continue alternating from side to side without letting your shoulders touch the floor.  Be sure to squeeze the oblique’s at each contraction.

Plank:

The plan is a standard exercise for core development and strength, but it is not really a movement.  It is more of a stability exercise that can effectively strengthen the transverse abdominus.

Position yourself in a standard push-up position, but support yourself with your elbows rather than the hands.  Tighten the stomach muscles and draw them in slightly in order to engage the core muscles.  Hold the position for 20 or 30 seconds before resting.  This is counted as one set.

Side Plank:

The side plank is like the plank but targets the core muscles on each side to strengthen lateral stability.  Keep the body straight while lying on your side.  Hold yourself up with your elbow.  Raise the feet off the ground while keeping them together.  Hold this position for 20 or 30 seconds.  Repeat on the other side.

Recommended read: The fastest way to great abs

Technorati Tags: abdominals, abs, bodybuilding, strength training

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