The body is an amazing machine which is so complex we are likely never to truly understand how it works. It is up to us to learn as much as possible about it though, so we can take the best care of ourselves as possible. This article will provide you with simple strategies for building your body's muscles and bettering its health.
Working out can be a very fulfilling experience, but it is one that must be done in an intelligent manner. Never use a new machine or free weight without practicing the proper form first and always be sure to start off with a very low amount of weight as a practice.
Measure body fat, not body weight. Do not get discouraged if you are attempting to build muscle and you do not see a change in your weight. You can lose fat while you gain muscle, resulting in a weight that does not change. A better indicator is measuring your body fat. If your weight is holding steady (or even increasing) while your fat levels are dropping - you are gaining muscle.
Skip the stair climbing machine at the gym. Instead make use of a real set of stairs. This can help you stay motivated, give you fresh perspective and give you a much-needed change of scenery. These things can help you to extend the time that you spend running the stairs and get more out of the time spent working out.
You may want to incorporate extended break periods into your long-term strategy for muscle building. All resistance training requires recovery periods in between workouts, but you can improve your performance by taking the occasional long break. Giving up exercise for one week (or even two) gives your body a chance to recover completely. Remember to continue eating healthy during an extended break, though.
If you are a beginner at building muscle, try to focus your lifting routine so that you can do between 8 and 12 repetitions of each exercise. If you are able to do more, then you probably are not lifting a heavy enough load. By giving yourself a goal, you will also help to ensure that you continue working out until you reach the point of fatigue.
When attempting to build muscle mass, it is important to eat whole foods. By eating whole food products, you will achieve a lower-body fat; therefore, your leaner body will be able to show the muscles you have built much better. You cannot achieve a leaner body by eating junk from a box! You should aim to eat whole foods at least 90% of the time.
A strong, toned arm or leg can look amazing. Not only will you look great, but you'll be better able to carry heavy objects or work for longer periods of time without tiring. The best part is that a toned body is less susceptible to disease. With all these great benefits, it's up to you to take what you've learned here and use it!