Tag: muscle
Best Dumbbell Exercises For Building Muscle & Toning
Build muscle and tone your physique with a great pair of dumbbells.
Using dumbbells in your routine seems to be a staple now. With so much equipment to use, we often stick to those exercises we know will build muscle and help us tone so we see only the best gains. However, with dumbbells, you will find you can really enhance every muscle with the wide variety of exercises available to you.
Dumbbells are not foreign to us, as they are a staple piece of equipment. But we often neglect to realize that dumbbells can help us tone and shape our physique. By working to counter act muscle imbalances, dumbbells are great for giving us a symmetrical aesthetic and a well-rounded physique, on top of building worthwhile muscle.
As we get into these exercises below, you may disagree with our “best of” list. That’s okay because certain exercises work better for others. If you find you ever want to change up your workouts for better growth and gains, then definitely check out some of these awesome exercises.
Let’s jump into dumbbells and take a look at what exercises really make dumbbells work to our advantage. These exercises are the best for each muscle group and will definitely take your workouts to new heights.
Benefits Of Dumbbells
The benefits of using dumbbells in your workouts are too hard to ignore. Great for training and for small spaces, dumbbells can be a game changer when it comes to building muscle and toning your physique. As convenient and versatile pieces of equipment, what you will find is something that cannot be replaced easily for what it can do for all your gains.
Benefits of dumbbells include:
Perfect for building muscle: Dumbbells are perfect for increasing muscle growth by creating time under tension and adding nice resistance to your workouts. Plus, you can always increase in weight for continued gains (1).
Adjust for strength and symmetry: You can work one arm or one leg at a time with dumbbells and this will be perfect when it comes to strength and symmetry for the ideal physique. This helps avoid any muscle imbalances (2).
Add variety and versatility to workouts: With dumbbells, you get the best of all worlds as they can be used for a variety of workouts and different exercises to challenge you. If you don’t feel like a barbell or kettlebell, then use dumbbells!
Best For Each Muscle Group
Let’s take a look at these exercises and explore what we think are the best dumbbell exercises for each muscle group. What you will find is that maybe you have different ones you enjoy best. Let us know and maybe you will change our minds.
Quads: Goblet Squat
The goblet squat is the perfect exercise to replace the barbell squat and can improve strength, mobility, and build mind-muscle connection when you do transfer over to the back squat. You will find you can really work your range of motion with this exercise.
Biceps: Alternating Bicep Curls
Of course, the alternating bicep curl is a classic exercise and one that has stood the test of time. By working each arm independently you start to build each arm to its respective size while working on symmetry. These are great during your workout, or for an end of the workout punisher to push through fatigue and build real strength.
Triceps: Triceps Kickbacks
A great triceps isolation exercise, kickbacks allows you to build strength and size effectively and with ease. Not only does this build muscle and strength, but it also will enhance stability in your shoulders and arms to assist sport specific and functional movements. And you need a great triceps workout to develop that horseshoe-shaped arm.
Chest: DB Bench Press
This exercise gives you a chance to work towards chest growth in a slight variation of the traditional bench press. If anything, this exercise makes it a bit more challenging because you have to balance two dumbbells as opposed to the even feel of one barbell. You won’t lift as much weight, but you will certainly still build muscle.
Back: Renegade Rows
Renegade rows work to build upper back and lat size while improving stability. With you in the push-up position working to row each dumbbell from that fixed point, you will find your core will be challenged as well as your lats. It is important to keep your feet planted on the ground and to not rotate your trunk so as to avoid injury and also get the most out of this exercise.
Shoulders: Arnold Press
The Arnold press is one of those shoulder exercises that you must know about for it can create those boulder shoulders in no time. What you will find with this exercise is a great movement perfect for developing arm strength and size while working to achieve a nice physique. This exercise is effective, but with the twisting of the dumbbell and the load on your shoulders, stretching and being careful are essential.
Hamstrings: Romanian Deadlift
The Romanian deadlift is one to build functional ability while also building up those hamstrings so they perform better overall. A real test of balance and stability, what you will find with this exercise is something to challenge you but also be rewarding in the end. A great way to target muscle imbalance, RDL’s are your one stop shop for hamstring gains.
Check out our list of the Best Dumbbells for more great muscle building and toning products!
Wrap Up
Dumbbells and their ability to boost our workouts are not to big ignored. A necessary piece of equipment in our workouts, what you will find is serious gains can be made to each muscle group. These exercises are the best of each, in our opinion, but let us know if you have a different one. The best part is, what works for one may not work for another, but with so many options out there, we can certainly try to find them all.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
Resources
Saeterbakken, A.; Tillaar, R.; Fimland, M. (2011). “A comparison of muscle activity and 1-RM strength of three chest-press exercises with different stability requirements”. (source)
Franettovich, M.; Hides, J.; Mendis, M.; Littleworth, H. (2011). “Muscle imbalance among elite athletes”. (source)
Enhanced PhytoTurk Review For Increased Recovery & Growth
This natural plant anabolic is perfect for increasing recovery and accelerating muscle growth.
Product Overview
We are always looking for the best ways to naturally improve our gains and with the right supplement it is entirely possible. What we tend to be missing is a quality company that can ensure the ingredients and substances in our formula are clean and safe to use. While most are, in a market so heavily saturated by supplements and their respective companies, it can be too hard to tell who is on your side and who is full of it. Enhanced PhytoTurk uses turkesterone, the newest and most cutting edge natural anabolic so you see effective gains in an all-natural way.
Increasing recovery and accelerating muscle growth are exactly what we as bodybuilders and strength athletes want. We grind in the gym, pushing our bodies to the max, and with the right supplements like Enhanced PhytoTurk, we can better see those gains we want most happen. A natural anabolic ensures we take our health and wellness into consideration as we boost our training and performance as well.
Enhanced PhytoTurk is a natural anabolic supplement perfect for natural athletes to increase recovery and growth.
Enhanced Labs are a team of bodybuilders, chemists, and innovators who joined together to disrupt a chaotic industry by doing absolutely whatever it takes to come out with the most effective hardcore supplements line on the market. By always staying on the cutting-edge advancements in technology and chemistry, Enhanced Labs gives their customers the continuous edge they desire most.
Enhanced PhytoTurk Highlights
Enhanced PhytoTurk is a natural anabolic supplement designed to increase recovery and accelerate muscle growth for the best natural gains possible. Using turkesterone, found in the Ajuga turkestanica plant, traditionally used for its anabolic, adaptogen, and hepatoprotective properties, PhytoTurk allows users the chance to see natural gains with a great formula. With 60 servings per container, 1-2 capsules as a serving size will pump you with just two ingredients, strong enough to make a difference.
This supplement is great to stack with other Enhanced products, like Arachidonic Acid and Blue Ox, and will work to elevate gains even more as a result. As natural athletes, or those looking for a natural supplement, PhytoTurk allows you the benefits of recovery and growth without the negatives of a traditional steroid.
Ingredients
Turkesterone Complex Blend (500mg)
Turkesterone: A naturally occurring phytoecdysteroid found in the Ajuga turkestanica plant, this can work to build hypertrophy and increase strength for better muscle growth and subsequent gains (1).
Cyclodextrin: May work to reduce inflammation that can assist with recovery needs (2).
Other Ingredients
Vegetarian capsule (Hypromellose, and purified water), Rice flour, Magnesium stearate
Number Of Ingredients
2
Number of Servings
60
Serving Size
1 Capsules
Best Way To Take
Take 2 capsules daily or directed by a physician.
Price & Effectiveness
Enhanced PhytoTurk is that natural anabolic for natural bodybuilders, athletes, or those just looking for a natural supplement. With 60 servings per container, 1-2 capsules as a serving size will pump you with two great ingredients and a powerful formula designed to increase recovery and accelerate growth.
Pros
Great option for natural bodybuilders and athletes
New design and cutting edge ingredients
From a reputable company in Enhanced
Cons
Expensive option
Side effects like hair loss and gynecomastia are possible
Price: $59.99
Who Should Take PhytoTurk?
Those natural bodybuilders and athletes looking for a natural anabolic to improve their gains will greatly benefit from PhytoTurk. While some of the ingredients may need slightly further proof as to how exactly they work, studies done thus far are promising in the potential of these ingredients to assist with increasing recovery and accelerating muscle growth.
Also, for those who may be looking into a natural anabolic supplement because they want to add a supplement or change from a previous one, PhytoTurk is a good option for you as well.
Overall Value
Enhanced PhytoTurk is that natural anabolic perfect for increasing recovery and accelerating growth and is a go-to for those natural bodybuilders, natural athletes, or whoever may be simply seeking a natural anabolic supplement. With just two ingredients and a powerful formula, what you will find is this supplement can seriously boost all areas of your training and performance while keeping health in mind. Enhanced knows the needs of athletes and seeks to produce the best supplements around so they only see those desired gains become real. What you are really getting is a cutting edge natural anabolic supplement able to provide great benefits without the harm of a traditional steroid. Try Enhanced PhytoTurk today and give yourself the best chance at seeing effective gains.
Try Enhanced PhytoTurk Today
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Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Enhanced and Envato
References
Isenmann, E.; et al. (2019). “Ecdysteroids as non-convention anabolic agent: performance enhancement by ecdysterone supplementation in humans”. (source)
Souza, A.; et al. (2018). “The inclusion complex of carvacrol and β-cyclodextrin reduces acute skeletal muscle inflammation and nociception in rats”. (source)
The Science Behind Muscle Recovery: Understanding Active Recovery
Recovering from Strength Training Sessions
When training hard it is imperative that you recover well from training bouts if you aspire to improve and stay injury-free.
Although the importance of recovery has been known for a long time, our understanding of this process is constantly changing and the methods adapted to align with scientific findings.
Even within the past 25 years, methods have radically changed. Previously the understanding was that after a hard session you must rest for 1 or 2 days to give the body time to recover.
This is no longer the case and doing nothing for 1 or 2 days is less than ideal for recovery. So, if taking a few days away from the gym isn’t the ideal recovery method, what is?
Passive and Active Recovery
There are two methods of recovery which are known as passive and active recovery.
We’ve touched on passive recovery already – it involves doing little and allowing the body time to recover.
Active recovery meanwhile utilizes physical activity in order to accelerate the recovery process.
Many of you will be able to relate to the feeling of being stiff and sore the day following a hard training session.
Often on these days, you feel stiff immediately but as the day goes on and you increase your physical activity, feelings of stiffness and soreness reduce.
The Benefits of Active Recovery
There are a number of benefits associated with active recovery that can speed up the process and alleviate the byproducts of a hard training session.
Reducing Stiffness and Soreness
It is highly likely that after a heavy training session, you will feel sore and stiff for a few days. Delayed onset muscle soreness (or DOMS) is normal however it can be frustrating and may impact movement.
The issue with passive recovery is that by doing very little, these feelings tend to become amplified and the time taken to fully recover can be extended.
However, by increasing activity levels, blood flow and general circulation increase. This enhanced circulation may help to reduce the feelings of stiffness and soreness (1).
Enhanced Mobility
With strength training, one fitness component that we can often neglect is mobility. As a result, although the muscles strengthen and grow in size, mobility can actually decrease (unless specifically practiced).
Active recovery sessions provide an excellent opportunity to practice mobility drills and improve movement efficiency. Keeping mobile and flexible is essential for performance and injury prevention.
Improving Aerobic Fitness
Performing aerobic exercise regularly is important for those who want to perform at a high level.
Not only will it improve the efficiency of the heart and lungs, it can also have a positive impact on the nervous system as there is a link between the aerobic and parasympathetic nervous system (2).
Therefore, it is often valuable to add an aerobic element into your active recovery sessions.
4 Guidelines for Active Recovery Workouts
There are many considerations to be made when designing an active recovery workout. The following points highlight 4 crucial guidelines to keep in mind during the design process.
1) Keep it Light
If you are to make substantial progress towards your training goal, it is important that you maintain focus on the goal of each and every session.
With active recovery sessions, that means ensuring that the intensity is at the right level. The session is not supposed to be another heavy, hard workout.
For most individuals, light fixed weights, body weight, and resistance bands are more than enough.
The goal of the sessions is to promote recovery through movement and light exercise. Avoid the temptation to start adding heavy weight, it’s not needed.
With each and every exercise, the goal is to make the movement feel as fluid and relaxed as possible. If it doesn’t feel this way, look to reduce the intensity by decreasing the load.
2) Use Compound Exercises and a Full ROM
One of the most critical principles of active recovery sessions is to ensure that a full range of motion is used with each exercise.
The exercises that you choose should be compound exercises; these are simply movements that involve a number of muscles across a range of joints.
Some excellent examples of exercises that you may want to incorporate into these sessions are lunges, squats, and push-ups.
There is very little point in performing isolation exercises during these sessions as the goal is to mobilize as many joints as possible. Isolation exercises only work the muscles around one joint.
In addition, small isolation exercises will not promote blood flow and circulation in the same way that large compound exercises will.
3) Prioritize Key Muscle Groups
There are a number of muscles that can be difficult to isolate and “feel”. The glutes, hamstrings, lats, and abdominals are commonly challenging to activate.
If you are struggling to feel these muscles work during your training, the active recovery sessions give you an opportunity to spend time focussing on them.
One of the best things about concentrating on specific muscle groups is that it will often inhibit problematic muscle groups at the same time.
Two of the most common problem areas are the lower back and hip flexors. “Turning off” these muscles may promote better movement and enhance overall recovery.
4) Select Exercises That Enhance Circulation
Finally, it is vital that exercises which promote blood flow and improve circulation are prioritized as this may promote a faster recovery (3).
Undoubtedly the best method of doing this is through cardiovascular activity. This does not mean high-intensity sprint intervals, rather a lighter, low-impact aerobic session.
If you find that you are having to take prolonged rest periods after any exercise, you are more than likely working too hard.
Example Active Recovery Workouts
The following two active recovery workouts utilize supersets to effectively work all muscle groups of the body and accelerate the recovery process.
Day 1
Superset Exercises
Sets x Reps
Goblet Squat / Arm Bar Series
3 – 4 x 15
Reverse Lunge / Push-Up to Downward Dog
3 – 4 x 15
Half-Kneeling Cable Press / Swiss Ball Crunch
3 – 4 x 15
Day 2
Superset Exercises
Sets x Reps
Counterbalance Squat / Banded Leg Lowering
3 – 4 x 15
Low Cable Split Squat / Push-Up to Single Arm Support
3 – 4 x 15
Half-Kneeling Landmine Press / Russian Twists
3 – 4 x 15
Common Recovery Questions
There are often many questions revolving around active recovery and it’s implementation. This section will answer a number of these common questions.
Can I Perform Circuits Instead of Supersets?
Yes, it is absolutely fine to perform circuits if that is your preference. Many individuals do prefer to work in a circuit and there are definite benefits of doing so.
If you find that you have the space and access to all the equipment then there is absolutely nothing stopping you from completing the workout as a circuit.
However, considering the wide range of equipment that is required for these exercises, it’s likely that you will need a large space which can be problematic in a busy gym.
Do I Need To Lift?
No – you do not have to lift if you don’t want to. Performing only cardio will help to improve blood flow and circulation and therefore can be considered an effective active recovery tool.
For many, cardio can quickly become mindless and mundane. Lifting gives you an opportunity to mix your training up, keep it interesting and maintain motivation levels.
Perhaps you want to focus solely on cardio but are finding it a little boring. Consider changing up your cardio by pushing a lightweight prowler or walking in the swimming pool.
Can I Just Do Some Home-Based Mobility Drills Instead?
Yes – you don’t need to go to the gym in order to perform an active recovery workout.
Performing workouts at home is the perfect tool for when you are short on time, don’t have great access to the gym or simply need to take a day away from the gym.
For these home-based workouts, the recommendation is to select 8-10 warm-up exercises or mobility drills and perform them in a continuous fashion for 20-30 minutes.
How Important is Nutrition and Supplementation for Recovery?
Nutrition is a key component of recovery and another full article could be written on this topic. But briefly, here are a couple of key points in regards to nutrition and optimizing recovery.
Consume Adequate Protein
Protein is the macronutrient that is responsible for repair and regrowth within the body (4). The recommendation for protein intake is between 0.8-1.0 grams of protein per day.
Keep Hydrated
Failing to drink enough water per day can have a negative impact on recovery and performance (5). Look to consume half an ounce of water per pound of bodyweight daily.
Eat Carb-Dense Foods
Carbohydrates will provide the body with energy and therefore should be consumed regularly. Consuming them before and after training can boost performance and enhance recovery.
Final Word
While active recovery sessions may not be as thrilling as heavy lifting days, they can facilitate greater improvements in strength through enhancing movement and recovery times.
As a result, it is imperative that active recovery days are incorporated into your strength training program.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
References:
1-Dupuy, Olivier; Douzi, Wafa; Theurot, Dimitri; Bosquet, Laurent; Dugué, Benoit (April 26, 2018). “An Evidence-Based Approach for Choosing Post-exercise Recovery Techniques to Reduce Markers of Muscle Damage, Soreness, Fatigue, and Inflammation: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis”. Frontiers in Physiology. 9. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.00403. ISSN 1664-042X. PMC 5932411. PMID 29755363.
2-LeBouef, Tyler; Whited, Lacey (2019), “Physiology, Autonomic Nervous System”, StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, PMID 30860751
3-Borne, Rachel; Hausswirth, Christophe; Bieuzen, François (2017-2). “Relationship Between Blood Flow and Performance Recovery: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study”. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 12 (2): 152–160. doi:10.1123/ijspp.2015-0779. ISSN 1555-0273. PMID 27139812
4-McGlory, Chris; Devries, Michaela C.; Phillips, Stuart M. (March 1, 2017). “Skeletal muscle and resistance exercise training; the role of protein synthesis in recovery and remodeling”. Journal of Applied Physiology. 122 (3): 541–548. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00613.2016. ISSN 8750-7587. PMC 5401959. PMID 27742803.
5-Ayotte, David; Corcoran, Michael P. (June 4, 2018). “Individualized hydration plans improve performance outcomes for collegiate athletes engaging in in-season training”. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 15. doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0230-2. ISSN 1550-2783. PMC 5987390. PMID 29866199.
Method Man Looks Absolutely Ripped After Triple Bench Press
Photo via @methodmanofficial Instagram
Method Man shares his workout to get absolutely ripped as he sees fast moving results.
Method Man is a rapper, songwriter, and producer best known for his involvement with Wu-Tang Clan. A Grammy-award winning artist, Method Man posted a video of his incredible triple bench press and fans saw how jacked he now is. His workouts reflect the work he’s put in at the gym giving fans something to rave about.
When it comes to working out and finding the right plans for us, it is important for us to realize that looking to bodybuilders and other strength athletes is a great way for us to see huge gains. They have done the exercises before and are living proof of what can happen when you grind in the gym. But other celebrities work hard as well and it would be a disservice to neglect taking advice from them for they too know the right workouts to tackle. Using others as a source of knowledge can better prepare us for what really matters as we seek results.
As an accomplished musical artist, Method Man sought to get as jacked as possible and this workout played a massive role in that.
Full Name: Clifford Smith, Jr. (a.k.a. Method Man)
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
200-205 lbs.
6’3’’
03/02/1971
Profession
Era
Nationality
Rapper, Songwriter, Producer, Actor
1990, 2000, 2010
American
This workout from Method Man earned him massive gains and proved why he was able to tackle the triple bench no problem. Using this workout will allow you to see a serious shred as you seek growth with Method Man as the model.
Photo via @methodmanofficial Instagram
About Method Man
Clifford Smith, Jr., also known as Method Man, is a rapper, songwriter, music producer, and actor known for his role in the popular hip hop group, Wu-Tang Clan. Performing with Wu-Tang Clan throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, he was constantly putting out records and growing his fan base with the increased popularity. He soon transitioned to acting and has had recurring roles on shows like The Wire and CSI.
Now, Method Man loves lifting and his post about his triple bench has fans going crazy for the amount of weight this famous rapper could lift. Focusing his attention to health and fitness, Method Man handles his professional side and personal side as best he can, continuing to put out great records and act in popular TV shows, while also taking his health and fitness seriously.
Photo via @methodmanofficial Instagram
Method Man Training Routine
Method Man used working out as an escape from gaming and other activities that were not progressing him forward. As a coping tool to deal with his insomnia, he took this as an opportunity to change his life, be productive, and get fit in the process.
Method Man just goes to show us that it’s never too late to get serious about the gym. After rapping and producing for Wu Tang for over a decade, he got serious about acting and had regular roles on HBO’s The Wire and The Deuce. If a man that busy can find time for the gym, so can you. There’s no such time as no time for the gym — there are only people who can’t make time.
Let’s take a look at this workout from Method Man and see just what makes this such a great workout. Higher in reps allows for more time under tension and more intensity.
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Deadlifts
3
8-10
Bent-Over Rows
3
10-12
Seated Cable Rows
4
10-12
Straight-Arm Pulldowns
3
8-10
Weighted Neck Extensions
3
8-10
Ab Rollout
3
10-12
Cable Crunches
3
10-12
Close-Grip Chin- Ups
3
10
Wide Grip Pullups
3
8
Lots of high-profile musicians and entertainers get really into fitness when they make the transition into acting, and clearly Method Man is no exception. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with the right mindset, although the personal trainers provided to the very rich definitely don’t hurt their goals. Whatever the case may be with Method Man, he’s made enormous strides in the gym, and that achievement rests entirely on his own hard work and determination to get things done.
Photo via @methodmanofficial Instagram
Diet & Supplementation
These insane fitness updates would not be possible without some serious attention to his diet and supplements. He is a big fan of plant-based foods and is always ready and willing to munch on some vegetables. He is also a big fan of meat-alternatives like veggie burgers and loves to pair with nutrient-filled greens like edamame. No fast food and processed meals is a great way he manages to stay in shape as well.
While a healthy diet is exactly what is needed to get shredded like Method Man, supplementation is something to heavily consider as well. Pre-workout is a great way to boost your energy and stimulate your mind before those big pumps, while protein can aid in recovery and really give your muscle what they need to grow. Placing a BCAA supplement in the mix will help enhance protein synthesis to really see those big gains. For those struggling to look like Method Man because of unwanted fat, try a fat burner and see the effects transform your physique.
Wrap Up
Method Man has entertained audiences since the 1990’s and is part of an iconic rap collective in Wu-Tang Clan. Taking his health and fitness seriously, Method Man has since taken fans by storm with his shredded aesthetic and proved why this workout was so great. With a post of him performing a triple bench, you too can see massive gains with a workout like this. From the booth to the gym, Method Man knows how to make hit records while also smashing expectations of his physical ability. Give this workout from Method Man a try and see what it can do for all your gains today.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Method Man Instagram
Have Non-Existent Triceps? Use These Horseshoe Building Tricks
Have Non-Existent Triceps? Use These Horseshoe Building Tricks
Triceps and biceps are two sides of the same coin, and yet the tris don’t get the same love as the bis. Training the tris effectively can be trickier as you need to hit the three heads of the triceps as compared to the two bicep heads.
Bodybuilding is a game of illusions and having meaty triceps can make your arms look bigger. A pair of shredded triceps should look like a horse has kicked you in the back of your arm.
The Best Horseshoe Triceps Building Tips
Start With Compound Exercises
Most people make the mistake of starting their tricep workouts with isolation lifts. If you perform exercises like the cable tricep press-downs at the starting of your workouts, you’ll be fatigued by the time you get to the compound moves.
While it might be a good idea to perform the isolation exercises to pre-exhaust your muscles when you’re training the bigger muscle groups (like chest or back), it can have the opposite effect for your tris if you’re fatigued by the time you get to the functional lifts.
Know The Muscle
It’s always a good idea to do some research about the muscles before you start training. The triceps is composed of 67% fast-twitch fibers, so train it according to the adage, “go heavy or go home.”
For the uninitiated – fast-twitch fibers means that you’ll get the best results from your exercises if you keep the TuT (time under tension) short and overload the muscles with heavier weights.
Use Advanced Training Principles
In the sport of bodybuilding, people are always chasing the pump, and in doing so they favor performing a higher number of reps to flush their muscles with lactic acid. Using the advanced training principles while training the fast-twitch muscles can get a little tricky.
If you’ll be using advanced training techniques like supersets, drop-sets in your training, you should make sure you’re using heavier weights (with the right form) and are performing 5-8 reps on each set.
Stretch It Out
By not stretching and posing during the workout, many people leave gains on the table. Not only will stretching improve the muscle pumps, but it will also help establish a better mind-muscle connection.
Holding an overhead tricep pull is one of the most effective tricep stretching moves. Using resistance bands, hitting the bodybuilding tricep poses like the side chest are great ways of flushing the muscles with lactic acid.
Increase The Training Frequency
If your arms are nothing more than small tree branches, you’ll have to put in more effort. We recommend training the muscle twice a week if you have lagging tris. Don’t experiment too much with the exercises and follow the same workout on both the tricep training days in the week.
One of the days should be a single muscle day where you only train your triceps. For the second tricep training day, club your tri workout with bigger muscle groups like the chest or back. Make sure you’re maintaining a balance between training all the three (medial, long, short) heads of the triceps.
How often do you train your calves? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
10 Budget Muscle Building Foods
Get Big on a Budget
It’s no secret bodybuilding isn’t a cheap sport and it’s not for everyone. Once you start with the fit lifestyle, you are pushed towards bodybuilding foods which can burn a hole in your pocket. Supplements are a different story altogether.
It is also not true you can’t build muscle on a budget. Whole foods will always be superior to the supplements when it comes to building muscle mass. If you’re looking for the list of the best budget foods, you’ve come to the right place.
1. Eggs
Eggs are one of the cheapest forms of protein. Most people don’t like eating the yolk even though it is full of protein. If you want to bulk, eating the yellow with the whites is a good idea.
2. Chicken Breast
Bodybuilders swear by the good old chicken breast. The chicken breast is one of the most common food amongst the fitness community. You will find it on the grocery list of almost every serious lifter.
3. Tuna
Tuna is a budget high-protein snack which comes in portable packaging which you can carry around with you. Each three-ounce serving contains about 22 grams of protein and it comes in delicious flavors.
4. Ground Turkey
Ground turkey comes in the chicken breast category. Many people like switching between the two to add variety to their food. Expensive cuts are made from turkey breast. Cheaper cuts can contain skin, which increases the fat content.
5. Milk
You don’t need to think outside the box to get your share of protein. Most of us have been drinking milk since a very young age. If you’re skinny and want to build muscle, you should gulp down milk without a care in the world. On the other hand, if you want to shed fat, staying away from milk would be a better decision.
6. Lean Ground Beef
This red meat is an excellent source of protein. Lean ground beef also contains essentials micronutrients like zinc, iron, and creatine. A four ounce serving of the lean ground beef gives you around 24 grams of protein.
7. Cottage Cheese
The term cottage cheese was coined in 1831 because it is was usually made in cottages from any milk left over after making butter. Cottage cheese contains 28 grams protein per cup which is more than Greek yogurt which has 15 grams of protein per cup.
8. Beans
Canned beans are cheap but the dried beans are even cheaper. Each cup of dried beans has about 15 grams of protein and just 220 calories. If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, beans should be a part of one of your daily meals.
9. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is one of the cheapest forms of plant-based protein. Each two-tablespoon serving contains eight grams of protein. Eating peanut butter is incredibly convenient and a jar of peanut butter is portable enough to carry around with you.
10. Sunflower Seeds
The sunflower seeds are incredibly potent when it comes to the amount of protein per serving. These seeds are filled with six grams of protein per ounce, and they’re easy to eat straight out of the bag or throw on a salad.
Which of these foods is a part of your diet? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
5 Recovery Tips To Help You Build Muscle Faster
Improve Your Recovery With These Tips
Contrary to what many people think, muscles are built outside the gym. You break muscle tissue while you’re training in the gym and your muscles grow back bigger and stronger while you’re recovering.
Your muscle recovery is at its prime while you’re in deep sleep. Your body recuperates from the workouts while you’re not engaged in strenuous physical activity. A good recovery program is indispensable in a fitness program. No matter how hard you train, you won’t see the results until your body recovers from your workouts utilizing these top tips.
Use Supplements
Some people take pride in not using any supplements. Staying away from supplements can be a mistake as they can aid and fasten up your recovery. Supplements like BCAAs and whey protein are known to help with preventing muscle breakdown and rebuilding bigger and stronger muscle tissue respectively.
In today’s time, there is a supplement for almost every kind of recovery issue you can face. Joint or back pain, inflammation, or whatever your problem, name it, and there is probably a supplement for it out there.
Check out the Top Protein Supplements for Recovery out here.
Check out the Top BCAA Supplements for Recovery here.
Bath Your Way To Recovery
When most people hear about recovery, they think the only thing they need to do is to sit on their couch, do nothing, and let the body do its magic. The “chill to recover” approach for recovery isn’t enough, especially if you train at high intensity.
Although your recovery plan shouldn’t be as hard as your workouts, you should be willing to put in some extra efforts. Taking Epsom salt, cold water or ice baths can speed up the recovery process. You should also consider taking steam and saunas to detox your body.
Bio-Hacking
Making small adjustments in your daily routine can make a big impact on your recovery. Bio-hacking is the process of making changes to your lifestyle to “hack” your body’s biology to feel your best.
Some of the bio-hacks for better recovery include turning off the blue lights in your room, stop using your phone two hours before bedtime, and turning up the air conditioner to sleep better at night.
Take Some Time Off
When some people don’t see the results, they try to push harder and end up doing more harm than good. If you’ve hit a plateau, you should consider taking some time off training. During this time, feel free to indulge in your favorite food or things you couldn’t do while you were on your training program.
If you’re following an intense training program, you should consider taking a week off every six months to give your body time to recover. Once you start training after the time off, the results will speak for themselves.
Sleep Better
Sleep is where all the magic happens. Just like babies, you grow in your deep sleep. If you want to transform your physique, you should be getting anywhere between 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
If you can’t get the desired amount of sleep in a single night, you should consider napping in the afternoon to make up for the time. You can also take supplements which help in improving sleep.
Header image courtesy of Envato Elements
Have you ever been injured in the gym? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
8 Factors That Can Kill Your Gains Faster Than Masturbation
It’s a calm and uneventful Saturday evening, and you have got an hour to spare before you head out to the gym for a leg session. Just as you grab the bottle of lotion, open the incognito chrome window, and type in the magic words, the warnings from your friendly neighborhood gym bro hits you in the face like a brick wall. It is at this moment you know you screwed up.
Countless blogs and YouTube videos have repeatedly cautioned you against the ill effects of masturbation on your gains, and yet you find yourself in the same compromising position for the second time this week.
Before you put the tissues away, you need to stop and analyze if there are other things you are doing that are negatively affecting your gains more than watching a few manly videos.
Getting Masturbation All Wrong
Most people confuse ejaculation and testosterone. They think fapping before a training session can rid your body of the male hormone required for building muscle. Contrary to popular belief, ejaculation does not affect your T-levels.
Effects of Masturbation On Your Body
Releases Endorphins
Engaging in sexual activities can increase endorphin levels in your body. Endorphins are also known as happiness hormones as they diminish the perception of pain and act as sedatives. They are produced in the brain, spinal cord, and many other parts of the body.
The next time a bro asks you not to fap before a workout, ask him why he does not want you to feel happy and have some endorphins rushing through your body.
Increases Testosterone Levels In Men
We know what you are thinking. This is the exact opposite of what you have been fed for years. Studies have shown that T levels naturally rise during masturbation and sex, then fall back to regular levels after orgasm.
To top this off, here are a few proven benefits of masturbation:
relieves stress
reduces sexual tension
helps you get more satisfying sleep
improves your mood
helps you relax or reduce anxiety
helps you learn more about your sexual desires
improves your sex life
alleviates cramps
So, Should You Masturbate Or Have Sex Before A Workout?
If it makes you feel good – sure. Go ahead, knock yourself out.
Your mood and energy levels play a vital role in your performance in the gym. It does not matter if you have been celibate for a decade, if you are tired or not zoned in for your workouts, you will not have a fruitful training session.
Now that we have established that masturbation or sex before a workout does not negatively impact your training or kill your gains, let us talk about the issues that take a toll on your muscles.
Factors That Kill Your Gains Faster Than Masturbation
1. A Poor Diet
Your diet needs to be based on your daily macro and micronutrient goals. Your meals should consist of lean proteins, unprocessed food, and vegetables.
Consuming simple carbs before your workout will give you enough energy to get through your training session. Carbs are also used by the body for the repair and restoration of muscle tissue. Water is one of the most overlooked aspects of a diet. You need to be drinking at least a gallon of water every day to avoid dehydration.
2. Stress
Cortisol running through your veins throughout the day can be fatal for your gains. Cortisol can reduce protein synthesis and tissue growth through the reduction of growth hormones. The inhibition of these processes can prove detrimental to the muscle recovery process after an intense workout.
On the flip side, exercise is a great stress reliever. So, no matter how stressed or busy you are, you should never miss a training session. You might walk into a workout feeling burdened and stiff, but you will walk out relaxed and relieved.
3. Lack of Discipline
Building muscle mass and keeping it is no easy task. Skipping a planned training session might not feel like a big deal right now, but it will surely set you back on your timeline.
Discipline is not limited to hitting the gym every day. You have to train, eat your meals, sleep at the same time every single day. Following the fitness lifestyle needs military-grade discipline.
4. No Recovery Plan
Most people have a training and diet program in place, but they are clueless when interviewed about their recovery plan. Gulping down a protein shake and sleeping for a few hours every night is not enough if your goal is to build muscle mass.
If you want to perform at your peak level, you should be seeing a chiropractor once every month and be going for deep tissue work. Active recovery is better than a passive recovery program.
5. Poor Sleep
A lack of sleep can disrupt the body’s response to insulin, disturb fat-burning mechanisms, and can even impair your decision-making process.
Poor sleep can cause overstimulation of the brain’s reward center, which can further lead to the adoption of other bad habits like overeating, alcohol consumption, and smoking.
6. Deteriorating Mental Health
If you are not motivated enough, you will never be able to give your 100% in the gym. Other serious mental issues like depression should be dealt with utmost urgency. Depression can create physiological problems by causing constant fatigue, soreness, muscle pain, insomnia, and decreasing appetite.
Bodybuilding is as much a psychological game as it is physical. You will never see results until your mental and physical health is in top shape.
7. Not Factoring In Genetics
Genetics plays a crucial role in bodybuilding. More so than most of us would like. If you are not training according to your body type and genomes, you are leaving gains on the table.
Taking a lifestyle genetic test can save you a lot of time and effort as it can help determine what type of training and nutrition would work the best for you.
8. Broscience – Deadlier Than Masturbation
Nothing kills progress faster than unsolicited broscience. As a rule of thumb, never take fitness advice from someone smaller and less experienced than you. If something seems to be working for you, don’t stop doing it because a gym bro says so. If you need help, find a professional with a proven track record.
Have do you keep your stress levels in check?
Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
5 Best Ways For Getting Rid Of Muscle Soreness
Start getting rid of muscle soreness now with these five tips.
Some people equate the quality of their workouts with the DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) the next day. Not only is this assumption flawed, but it could be hampering your gains. Don’t believe us?
A study conducted by McGill University found that there was a reduction in muscle activation in the targeted muscles when muscle soreness was present from previous workouts.
Minor muscle soreness after a nasty bicep workout is cute, but things can take a turn for the worse when quads are in question. If you are one of those people who love going hard in the gym but don’t like limping around the office the next day or explaining to everyone the reason for your funny walk, this article is for you.
Why Do Our Muscles Feel Sore?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to fix sore muscles, have you ever wondered why your muscles get sore after an intense workout in the first place?
Contrary to what most people think, you don’t build muscle when you lift weights. You break your muscle tissues while you are working out. When this damage or micro-tearing happens, your body initiates the repair process by triggering inflammation at the injury site.
Tightness and pain you feel 24-48 hours after your workouts occur due to extra pressure on the damaged areas caused by the fluid that accumulates in the muscles for facilitating recovery.
While you cause damage to your muscles every time you train, some exercises can cause more trauma and hence more soreness. According to a study conducted at the University of Liège, Liege, Belgium, any workout that is new to you, more intense than usual, or involves a bunch of eccentric movements will likely cause more damage and soreness than other types of workouts.
While most people might credit concentric (curling) movements for their sore muscles, the eccentric part of the lift is what is causing the damage.
Muscle Soreness Is Good But Not Necessary
There are usually two types of people. The first is the pack of gym bros who live for muscle pumps and don’t consider a workout a success unless they feel a sweet pain in their muscles for the next couple of days.
Also Read: 5 Bro Science Myths that Need to Die
On the other hand, the second group wants nothing to do with sore muscles. They don’t want their twitching muscles to remind them of their fit lifestyle throughout the day.
Which group is correct in its approach?
Neither.
Inflamed and torn muscles sound bad as it is. Research has shown chronic inflammation can contribute to many chronic diseases. But you wouldn’t want to treat muscle inflammations like kryptonite. Some degree of muscle soreness can be a crucial signal for muscle growth and repair.
Your muscles are likely to grow back bigger and stronger as they recover from the carnage you put them through in your workouts. Muscle inflammations are okay, but you need to get them under control as soon as possible.
Now let’s address the elephant in the room – are sore muscles a sign of effective workouts? No. You don’t have to be sore after every workout. Soreness is the outcome of damaged muscles, and you don’t want to inflict soreness-inducing damage on your muscles every time you train.
How To Get Rid Of Muscle Soreness
1. Post-Workout Nutrition
After you’ve broken down muscle tissues in a workout, you have a 30-60 minute window to provide your muscles with enough nutrients to aid in the recovery process. 20-40 grams each of protein and carbs can kickstart your muscle recovery.
Eating a high-protein meal that consists of a fast-absorbing protein source like fish or tuna and a whey protein shake is great for speeding up your recuperation and reducing the chances and degree of muscle soreness.
As per the International Society of Sports Nutrition, you should be consuming 1.4 to 2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight for optimal recovery after training.
2. Hydrate
Up to 60% of the human adult body is water. According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry, the brain and heart are 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%.
Water can help ease inflammation, flush out waste products, and deliver the nutrients required by your muscles for recovery. Drinking at least a gallon of water every day can help avoid dehydration and keep the nutrients pumping throughout the body.
3. Prioritize Recovery
It’s time people start talking about the role of recovery in bodybuilding. Scroll through your Instagram feed, and you’ll see internet fitness celebrities promoting their gyms, workout programs, showing off their insane squat and deadlift. But you will not find a word about rest and recuperation.
Everybody is trying to be the hardest worker in the room, but they forget the real gains are made outside the iron paradise. A post about sleeping 6-8 hours every night will never get more views than a Reel where you are squatting with two girls on the bar.
4. Myofascial Release
Self-myofascial release (SMR) involves releasing tension in muscles and connective tissues using foam rollers, lacrosse balls, or massage sticks. It can help move the accumulated lactic acid out of the muscles after exercise.
SMR and other forms of massages should be a part of your fitness routine if you’re in the fitness lifestyle for longevity. Some benefits of the myofascial release include:
Help the body relax overall.
Improve your range of motion.
Release tension, knots, and stress.
Reduce soreness and help assist the tissue recovery process.
Improve blood circulation.
5. Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapies are the OG remedies for treating muscle, ligament, and joint inflammations. Ice packs and heating pads have a place in almost every household. Although cold and hot therapies have been around for centuries, many people, even today, mix up their uses.
As a rule of thumb, use ice for acute injuries or pain, along with inflammation and swelling. Use heat for muscle pain or stiffness. How it works:
Heat Therapy – Improves circulation and blood flow to a particular area due to increased temperature. Increasing the temperature can soothe discomfort and increase muscle flexibility.
Cold Therapy – Reduces blood flow to the specific area, which can significantly reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain.
How often do you have sore muscles? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
8 Muscle Recovery Tips For Killer Performance & Results
8 Muscle Recovery Tips For Killer Performance & Results
No matter how hard you train in the gym, you’re not going to see the desired results until your muscles are recovering optimally. You break muscle tissue when you lift weights. Your muscles only grow back bigger and stronger when you give them proper recovery conditions.
A poor recuperation plan will not only knock you off of your timeline but will also impair your performance in the gym. Improper recovery bleeds into your daily life as it keeps you feeling tired and lethargic.
We’re not going to give you some crazy muscle recovery tips like sleeping hanging upside down or running on the treadmill backward on alternate days. In this article, we’ll go over the most common recovery mistakes that people make, and how you can improve your recovery efficiency and time.
How To Recover Better After Workouts
Before we get to how to recover better, let’s talk about how long does it take for your muscles to recuperate completely after your workouts and what to do if your recovery program lacks substance.
Optimal Muscle Recovery Times
The muscle recovery times vary depending on your fitness levels and the difficulty of your workouts. The intensity, volume, duration, and frequency of your workouts combined will determine the toll they take on your body.
Your body might take up to 24 hours to recover from a relatively light workout. On the other hand, recovering from an intense workout with high volumes and low rest durations can take anywhere between 2-3 days.
It is imperative that you give your body enough time to recover between your workouts. You shouldn’t be training the same muscle group within 2-3 days after an intense workout or you’ll run the risk of overtraining.
Ever felt that burning sensation in your arms while performing the bicep curls? That’s lactic acid forming up in your muscles. Lactic acid is responsible for making your muscles feel tired and sore. If the lactic acid is not flushed out of your system during your rest periods, you’re at a higher risk of an injury.
Nutrition
Nutrition can be broken down into two main categories:
Food
You should be eating a balanced diet with the right amounts of macro and micronutrients. Your goal should be to consume 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight if your goal is to build and maintain muscle mass.
Fruits and vegetables should be a part of every meal and you should limit the consumption of ultra-processed food. You should focus on eating 6-8 small meals as compared to three big meals. Eating frequently will spike your metabolism rates and help you burn fat even while you’re sitting ideal.
If you’re a regular lifter, you should consume a good amount of protein in your pre and post-workout meals as protein are the building block of muscles. Carbs and fats should also be consumed for efficient recovery and to improve the overall functioning of the body.
Supplements
An article on muscle recovery tips can’t be complete without the mention of supplements. While supplements aren’t necessary for improving your recovery, they can surely help make things easier.
We recommend taking an intra-workout BCAA supplement as it can kick start your muscle recovery process while you’re actively breaking down muscle fibers in the gym. A fast-absorbing post-workout whey protein shake helps fill the muscle fiber cracks that are formed after an intense workout.
A creatine supplement can help improve your recovery times and replenish your ATP stores. Taking these three supplements will ensure your recovery times and soreness between workouts is reduced to the bare minimum.
Sleep
Have you ever wondered why babies sleep so much? Babies follow a strict cycle of sleeping, waking up, drinking milk, crapping, and then sleeping again. There is some crying in the middle of it too.
Deep sleep is where humans grow. Although you shouldn’t expect to grow taller, your muscles are in the most optimal recovery mode while you’re sleeping. You should target clocking 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
Stress
Your body produces a hormone called cortisol while you’re stressed. Cortisol hinders your body’s recovery mechanism as it puts your body in a fight or flight mode. Taking too much stress also reduces the production of testosterone in your body and raises your estrogen levels.
Even if you follow all the other muscle recovery tips mentioned in the article to the T but are constantly stressed throughout the day, you’re not going to see any progress in your physique.
Hydration
You should drink at least a gallon of water every day. Water along with blood carries nutrients and oxygen to different parts of your body. Dehydration can impair your muscles’ ability to repair themselves.
Workout Programs
Your training splits will also determine your recovery quality. If your muscles remain sore for more than two days a week, you should train two muscle groups every day and rest for two days a week. You need to find the sweet spot in designing your workout program where your workouts, recovery, and results complement each other.
Massage
Getting external help is one of the most overlooked aspects of recovery. There is a reason why most pro athletes go for massages and chiropractic sessions every week. Deep tissue bodywork can ease your muscles, fix muscular imbalances and improve blood flow throughout your body.
Clothing
Compression garments have taken over the scene over the past few decades. A study conducted in 2019 found that wearing compression clothing lowered the time for body muscle recovery in German handball players.
Compression clothing improves your blood flow and can also reduce the chances of an injury as it reduces the excess movement of muscles during intense activities. Compression wear is especially great for people who are already suffering from injuries.
A Small Note on Avoiding Injury While Improving Recovery
If you’re a beginner or an intermediate lifter, you should only increase the intensity, volumes, or frequency of your workouts incrementally. Taking larger leaps can increase your chances of an injury.
While training to failure in every workout might sound badass, you shouldn’t train until exhaustion every time. Pushing too hard in every session can take a toll on your CNS (central nervous system) and can put you out of action for weeks.
If an exercise feels physically uncomfortable, it would be advisable to avoid it especially as you get older. Repeated stress from exercises can cause small tears called micro-tears that can lead to muscles feeling sore and inflamed.
An accumulation of these tears puts you at risk of developing torn muscles, also called muscle strains or pulled muscles. Muscle strains can vary from mildly uncomfortable to complete ruptures that may require surgery for repair.
Takeaway
If you’re in the fit lifestyle for the long run, you should look at recovery with paramount importance. If your recovery is not up to the mark, you will notice a fall in your overall performance and results.
How long does it take for you to recover after an intense workout? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.