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How to Build Muscle

julian.com

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Re: How to Build Muscle

#131

Post by baytrailcat »

CalChris wrote: post #65
interrrested wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why avoid personal trainers ? While I do agree but how to get proper form ?

IMHO, a lot of time spent studying proper form by watching YouTube videos (Scott Hermann, BuffDudes, Layne Norton, ...) will help you a lot more. A lot of this is mental; it's you figuring things out. I don't think PTs are good teachers. But I've learned a lot from watching these guys over and over again. All that and learn to love the squat. Paused ATG. Squats make everything better.

Youtube is a great resource to find a general consensus of the common wisdom.

You can also record yourself with a tripod and camera and watch later.

Another way to learn is to watch other people (People who look like they know what they are doing) in the gym. If you are the outgoing type, you can spark a conversation with them and ask them to watch your form (or spot your lifts). You get lot of practical knowledge this way.

Form is everything. If you cannot do the reps with proper form (and breathing), reduce the load till you can, then slowly progress. It is worth it.

Re: How to Build Muscle

#132

Post by projektir »

The impression I got is that men like the thin type more than the fit type. And, even then, they care about the face more than they care about the body. The motivation to exercise for that kind of reason is just not there for women, in my opinion.

Agreed with his thoughts on male physique attractiveness, though, as well as the section about steroids.

Overall, seems like a nice guide, and I appreciate someone, for one, remembering that women exist. Very detailed and comprehensive, even if it's not necessarily super accurate (doesn't have to be, does it?). I may add it to my schedule in addition to the kickboxing if I can justify a 2nd gym. I find it interesting that he stats with grip, grip and basic hand strength is my #1 problem for so many situations. I spent about 2 hours preparing a bike rack because I simply didn't have enough strength to move the metal rods in place.

I think his arguments for how little time it takes vs. how easy it is to get to a decent baseline (rather than chasing the popular ideal) are good enough. And having your own home equipment is probably a much better predictor of consistency than any amount of motivation. The other motivation stuff I would say is decidedly not useful. Exercise at this level is indeed available to almost everyone and doesn't require you to be a hyper-motivated super hard working person, you just need to decide that it's something you want to do and fit in your schedule.

Re: How to Build Muscle

#133

Post by atdrummond »

usaphp wrote: post #45
fredgrott wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but are referring to just beginners which would be 5bls of weights as arm curls, leg lifts, etc..or are we imagining bigger weights?

I doubt you can see a 20lbs of muscle growth in 3 months using just 5lbs weights in excersizes.

You're not seeing 20 lbs of muscle growth in 3 months regardless of exercise choice. Even with AAS.

Re: How to Build Muscle

#135

Post by projektir »

jakejnichols wrote: post #97

This isn't a bad guide, but for those new and interested in the topic, the Reddit r/fitness subreddit ( https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness ) has a wiki which is probably the best all around guide out there to getting fit, muscular, and strong: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/wiki/index It is both entirely free and substantially better than this guide. It is based on the combined experience of people who are much furth…

The main issue with /r/fitness is that it's not a focused guide so you run into decision paralysis almost immediately. It's great if you already know what you want, and it's very open ended. And, generally, I think people who are really far along in their business journey are not who beginners should be listening to.

Re: How to Build Muscle

#136

Post by brandonmenc »

> Workouts: First 2 months [...] 2 months to infinity [...]

A recipe for unlimited plateauing. Don't tell this guy about mesocycles.

He's still in the "newbie gains" phase - where nearly anything you do results in gains - so take everything he says with a huge grain of salt.

Re: How to Build Muscle

#137

Post by projektir »

pliftkl wrote: post #118
julianshapiro wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Author here. Happy to provide some thoughts on whatever you find to be crap.

I don't find your advice to be "crap", but I do think it could be a lot simpler. Run stronglifts, 5x5, or starting strength. All of these involve 3 trips to the gym per week, are very easy to follow, and have well defined progressions.

These are not easy to follow. When you are already strong and have access to a personal trainer, maybe the are. When your starting point is difficulty lifting the lowest possible weight and you don't know how to configure your deadlift form properly because you actually /can't/ lift the lowest recommended weight, so your bar has a really low starting point, it gets a lot more complicated, not to mention dangerous.

Re: How to Build Muscle

#138

Post by usaphp »

gaius wrote: post #107
usaphp wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not really, bodybuilders tend to have less fat thus their muscles look bigger. Also Powerlifters lift heavier weights in big part due to a much better technique than bodybuilders. Saying that bodybuilder's muscles are just a junk of stored protein is wrong, they are strong, very strong

Of course they are strong, but they are different sports. A powerlifter would never "cut" before a competition, for example. A bodybuilder doesn't just want to be big, he or she is after a very specific, balanced physique. A powerlifter wants to be strong in the 3 big lifts and doesn't care about any ratios, etc etc.

I agree with you but I was arguing with a different comment that said "so-called bodybuilder's muscles are just useless junk of protein deposits"

Re: How to Build Muscle

#139

Post by tome »

projektir wrote: post #135
jakejnichols wrote: post #97

This isn't a bad guide, but for those new and interested in the topic, the Reddit r/fitness subreddit ( https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness ) has a wiki which is probably the best all around guide out there to getting fit, muscular, and strong: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/wiki/index It is both entirely free and substantially better than this guide. It is based on the combined experience of people who are much furth…

The main issue with /r/fitness is that it's not a focused guide so you run into decision paralysis almost immediately. It's great if you already know what you want, and it's very open ended. And, generally, I think people who are really far along in their business journey are not who beginners should be listening to.

The wiki does seem to be a focused guide, unless I'm missing something.

Re: How to Build Muscle

#140

Post by projektir »

tome wrote: post #139
projektir wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The main issue with /r/fitness is that it's not a focused guide so you run into decision paralysis almost immediately. It's great if you already know what you want, and it's very open ended. And, generally, I think people who are really far along in their business journey are not who beginners should be listening to.

The wiki does seem to be a focused guide, unless I'm missing something.

Am I missing something? The Getting Started area splits into 4 exercise sections immediately and you're left to your own devices. My first attempt at serious exercise was from this very page and I ended up doing stronglights for a while, which was OK...
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