Strength training is vital for the body. Care to know why?
Many people associate strength with body size. Indeed, muscle mass and body strength go hand in hand on the road to prime fitness goals. They often grow together, but some people take their strength to the next level without getting bigger. This is the case with athletes competing in sports that require muscles of steel, but impose weight limitations. So how do they manage to achieve that? Well, gaining muscle mass and boosting strength are two processes shaped by slightly different factors.
All shapes and sizes
If you do not dream of pursuing a strongman career, then size is not your top priority. Training stimulates your body in a variety of ways and makes it adapt to physical stress. Different exercises may result in you becoming bigger, faster, smaller, or stronger. Therefore, a workout is all about the interaction of neural adaptation and muscular changes. Both processes take place during routines in the gym, and it is possible to fine tune their ratio, even when engaged in weightlifting.
Upon starting the training, the initial gains are related to neuromuscular changes, not hypertrophy. This pumping-up of the muscles is a short-term increase – a novice can rapidly enhance strength and enjoy the benefits of increased motor unit recruitment. Our brain sends signals to muscle fibers to contract, and during an intense workout like weightlifting, it takes the form of full scale conscription. This increase in the number of recruited units allows you to have more muscle firepower and apply more force.
Baptism by fire
When it comes to the exercise that is best for strength gains, there is not much dispute. Lifting weight is the most basic thing to do, and there is no way around it. A typical strength training program involves front and overhead squats, deadlifts, pull-ups, military presses, and pushups. It is a good idea to determine the repetition max, the number of times you are able to lift before experiencing muscle failure. When you give it all you’ve got in short bursts, it results in the generation of maximum firepower. Of course, this brings forth a great deal of muscle hypertrophy and forces you to train at a lower volume.
This is precisely the purpose, as spending less time under the bar enables you to decrease muscle growth. Being explosive and taking on heavy weight, however, is something that puts your body under tremendous pressure. Hence, you may take on other exercises, like plyometrics, sprints and cone drills that help you endure the hardships. Moreover, do not forget to rest between sets, because this aids in recovering and recharging batteries. It will not be worth a dime, however, if you do not get enough sleep and eat properly.
Stick to the defined numbers and be consistent in your training. Also, remember that the training program is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, and that the two must support each other. Get the appropriate gym wear by visiting online stores, and keep a bottle of water around for hydration. Enjoy in the freedom of movement and summon impeccable concentration for the execution of the exercise. Finally, pay attention to nutrition before, during and after the workout, for you need enough energy to see the training plan through.
On the right track
Strength and muscle mass are two sides of the same coin, but forged in a different way. The effects of exercise on your body always depend on how you train. Put a maximum effort in a limited number of sets to stay on course and obtain maximum strength. The killer combination of low reps and high weight should enable you to witness the desired results. Strength training may be operating on dual tracks, but it is possible to regulate velocity and direction on both of them.
