Ok, so you've accepted the inevitable and whip yourself into doing those dang squats every week on leg day. They're exhausting, they hurt, and they work big time. Bummer. Why can't it ever be easy?
Squats belong to the exclusive club of compound movements that trigger growth you could never replicate by diddling around with isolation movements only. Don't get me wrong, there's a time and a place for isolation, but when you're looking to build a foundation of raw power and mass, compound movements are unbeatable.
So getting your repertoire of compound exercises in order is crucial, plain and simple. You want to be able to move as much weight as possible with the best form possible, which translates directly to substantial muscular development. Typically, you see young guys adhering more to the first part than the latter. However, unlike benching, squats aren't much of an "ego exercise", so there's usually hope.
Why do I talk about hope? Aside from the obvious risks of injury that comes with sloppy form, squats are actually an exercise that can make you STRONGER by NOT cheating. When people cheat on their squats, they usually aren't only gambling with their joints and spine, they might even be robbing their egos of the cheap thrill that comes with adding some more weight to the bar.
POINT #1: FORM
Check your form! Straight back, wide stance, abs tense, eyes towards the ceiling throughout. You should FEEL the balance in your body. Also make sure to bend your knees in sync with the tilt of the lower back. You're not doing good mornings with 300 lbs on your shoulders! If you feel unbalanced, hurt, or is otherwise unsure of the proper execution, don't hesitate to talk to a professional Personal Trainer.
You will probably get a little weaker at first, but take my word for it - if you're doing it right, you'll be back and beyond your previous weight within a couple of months!
POINT #2: CARDIOVASCULAR CAPACITY
Especially if you're doing high-rep sets, you might be familiar with the sensation of light-headedness and dancing black dots in front of your eyes somewhere around the 13th or 14th rep. You could get to this state faster if you held your breath - and you'd probably not be able to pull off more than 3 or 4 reps before it started getting really bad. The reason is pretty simple: You're running out of oxygen!
When squatting, you're engaging in extremely oxygen-consuming work. Your need oxygen to get energy to the muscles. Not so much for the energy itself, but to enable the whole process. It's not unlike a gasoline engine - you need the air for the internal combustion, even though it's mostly the gasoline providing the explosive energy. If you don't take in enough oxygen, you can't utilize enough energy, and you end up running on stored ATP and Creatine. These sources run low in a hurry when you're doing some serious lifting.
What we're left with after, say 8 to 10 reps or so, is highly dependent on how good your body is at taking in plenty of oxygen in a short amount of time. The more your body can take in, the more energy gets utilized, and the more reps you can squeeze out. Pretty simple, huh?
The key issue here is - of course - to prime your ability to absorb oxygen. Now for the bad news. The only way to do this is to spend some time pounding the concrete, biking, or anything else that gets your heart rate up and going. Make sure to get at least 3 rounds of cardio for 20 minutes or more per week, and keep that pulse higher than if you were out to just burn off the love handles.
POINT #3: STEALTH
This clever method is so simple that it tends to be all but forgotten in favor of other, more complex strategies. However, the stealth method is hard to beat when you're looking to pump up the weights in compounds movements like squats. The basic principle is this:
Your body doesn't really know the difference between 300 lbs and 305. Those puny 2.5's on each side are a thimble in the ocean. Odds are, you'll probably have no problems doing the same amount of reps with 5 lbs extra.
Then you sneak on another 5 lbs a week or two later, you've gotten used to 305, so that 310 doesn't really make much difference either, now does it? …And so it can go on for quite a while. In the span of a few months, you could actually have added 40-50 lbs to your total, while still doing the same amount of reps!
Granted, the pace might not be quite as exciting as heavy negative training, but you can be fairly sure to get the weights up, slowly but steadily, without running undue risk of injury. The only real downside is that you have to ditch the periodization-strategy for legs while doing this.
CONCLUSION
The conclusion - of course - is to periodize stealth training with normal high/low-rep alternating periodization! As in doing 3 months of stealth training, then do 6 months of "normal" periodization (4-6 week cycles of lighter vs. heavier training - read my last article all about PERIODIZATION here!), and then go back to 3 more months of stealth training. You'll probably notice a slight setback in strength when taking up the stealth again, but it'll rebound quickly.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Insulin&BodyBuilding
The role of insulin is a current topic reverberating through gyms everywhere. Insulin is a hormone best known for its role in glucose metabolism. In an attempt to provide some clear scientific information to our trainers, this article will discuss the different classifications of carbohydrates, and how the body regulates blood glucose levels. Practical applications to bodybuilders will close out the article.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide direct energy for the human brain, central nervous system, and muscle cells in the form of glucose (blood sugar). Carbohydrates can be broken down into simple carbohydrates or complex carbohydrates.
Simple
Simple Carbohydrates are sugars, organic compounds whose bonds are easily broken down by digestion. Sugars are classified as monosaccharides (mono = one), or disaccharides (di= two). Monosaccharides include glucose, galactose, and fructose. Disaccharides are two monosaccharide units linked together and include maltose (two glucose units), sucrose (fructose plus glucose), and lactose (galactose plus glucose). Your body only has the ability to absorb monosaccharides into the blood.
Complex
Complex carbohydrates are defined as polysaccharides (poly = many) that are found in starch and fiber. Starches are polysaccharides humans can digest, but must be broken down into monosaccharides before they can be taken into the blood. Polysaccharides are either linear (amylose-polymer of 400 to thousands of glucose) or branched (amlyopectin-polymer containing hundreds of glucose).
Glycogen (stored glucose within the muscle), is similar in structure to amylopectin, and will be discussed later in bodybuilding applications. Cellulose is fiber within vegetables which humans are unable to break down and absorb into the blood.
How The Body Uses Carbohydrates
The body, after digestion and absorption through the walls of the small intestines, can put glucose to work in three ways:
1. It can burn the glucose immediately within mitochondria, releasing carbon dioxide, water and energy.
2. If the glucose is not needed immediately, it is converted by the liver or the muscles into glycogen. Muscle glycogen provides energy only to muscles. Liver glycogen can supply energy to any part of the body.
3. Any glucose left over after glycogen saturation is converted to fat by the liver, and stored in adipose tissue around the body. The degree and pattern of fat buildup depends on an array of factors, but are primarily linked to whether a person consistently consumes more calories than are burned through activity.
Blood-Sugar Connection
The body's natural regulatory system automatically maintains close control over the level of blood glucose. The body has approximately 20 grams of blood borne glucose circulating continuously. If blood sugar increases then the pancreas releases insulin. If this level is too low than glucagon is released.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide direct energy for the human brain, central nervous system, and muscle cells in the form of glucose (blood sugar). Carbohydrates can be broken down into simple carbohydrates or complex carbohydrates.
Simple
Simple Carbohydrates are sugars, organic compounds whose bonds are easily broken down by digestion. Sugars are classified as monosaccharides (mono = one), or disaccharides (di= two). Monosaccharides include glucose, galactose, and fructose. Disaccharides are two monosaccharide units linked together and include maltose (two glucose units), sucrose (fructose plus glucose), and lactose (galactose plus glucose). Your body only has the ability to absorb monosaccharides into the blood.
Complex
Complex carbohydrates are defined as polysaccharides (poly = many) that are found in starch and fiber. Starches are polysaccharides humans can digest, but must be broken down into monosaccharides before they can be taken into the blood. Polysaccharides are either linear (amylose-polymer of 400 to thousands of glucose) or branched (amlyopectin-polymer containing hundreds of glucose).
Glycogen (stored glucose within the muscle), is similar in structure to amylopectin, and will be discussed later in bodybuilding applications. Cellulose is fiber within vegetables which humans are unable to break down and absorb into the blood.
How The Body Uses Carbohydrates
The body, after digestion and absorption through the walls of the small intestines, can put glucose to work in three ways:
1. It can burn the glucose immediately within mitochondria, releasing carbon dioxide, water and energy.
2. If the glucose is not needed immediately, it is converted by the liver or the muscles into glycogen. Muscle glycogen provides energy only to muscles. Liver glycogen can supply energy to any part of the body.
3. Any glucose left over after glycogen saturation is converted to fat by the liver, and stored in adipose tissue around the body. The degree and pattern of fat buildup depends on an array of factors, but are primarily linked to whether a person consistently consumes more calories than are burned through activity.
Blood-Sugar Connection
The body's natural regulatory system automatically maintains close control over the level of blood glucose. The body has approximately 20 grams of blood borne glucose circulating continuously. If blood sugar increases then the pancreas releases insulin. If this level is too low than glucagon is released.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
L- Arginine
What is it and where does it come from?
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. It is a building block of protein that performs a myriad of physiological functions. It is a known precursor of the gas nitric oxide [N02].
Arginine is an amino acid that the body cannot make naturally. Therefore it is important to consume foods that are rich in arginine.1
Arginine is found in high concentrations in nuts and seeds like peanuts and almonds. It can also be found in chocolate and raisins.
What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?
Arginine is necessary for the execution of many physiological processes. These physiological processes include hormone secretion, an increase in growth hormone output, the removal of toxic waste products from the body, and immune system defenses.2
Because Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide [which is responsible for vasodiolation 3] it is often used for supporting healthy sexual function.
Recently, dietary supplements containing Arginine have become popular due to Arginine's nitric oxide producing ability, its ability to scavenge free radicals, as well as its ability to signal muscle cells, release growth hormone, support healthy cholesterol, and enhance fat metabolism. Arginine helps regulate salt levels in the body. 4
For this reason it should be of interest to competing bodybuilders, as retaining water under the skin can make one looks smooth, bloated and washed out. The nitrogen retaining abilities of Arginine are well-known within the bodybuilding and scientific communities. Arginine is also believed to be crucial for muscle growth due to its vasodilating abilities, as well as its ability to participate in protein synthesis. 5
Learn more about the benefits of L-Arginine on Clayton South's Health Facts.
Who needs it and what are some symptoms of deficiency?
Everyone. Populations in particular need of arginine are growing children, infants, athletes, individuals trying to lose weight, and the elderly. In adult populations Arginine is considered to be a non-essential amino acid. For children, by contrast, Arginine is essential to the defense and development of the adolescent immune system.
Persons suffering from injury can benefit from supplemental arginine, as demand for arginine is increased during times of bodily injury and repair.6 Persons looking to support their sexual health may also benefit from use of Arginine due to its vasodilating properties. Arginine will act to increase the diameter of blood vessels, thereby allowing increased blood flow to reach constricted areas.
Arginine presents benefits to hard training athletes. Supplementing with Arginine may boost the immune system, thereby allowing the athlete to train harder and avoid the detrimental effects of minor health problems associated with overtraining.
Athletes who are discontinuing the use of androgenic or anabolic steroids may benefit from supplemental arginine.
Due to Arginines ability to increase growth hormone levels, its ability to encourage lipid oxidization, and its ability to support healthy blood pressure, supplemental arginine may prove beneficial for persons looking to lose weight.
How much should be taken? Are there any side effects?
Individuals with existing heart or psychiatric conditions should consult with their physician prior to supplementing with Arginine. With any amino acid containing product, overdose is a possibility. Dosing with too much arginine can lead to diarrhea, weakness and nausea. Clear dosing guidelines have not yet been established, so it is best to do what is known as "tolerance mapping".
Take a small dosage for one week, note the benefits and the side effects, and increase the dosage until the benefits are maximized and the side effects minimized. Over time the two will converge and you will hit the optimal dose. This process is similar to "receptor mapping" for bodybuilders who use insulin and steroids.
Many protein powders on the market are fortified with amino acids, including arginine. With this in mind, pay particular attention to how much arginine you are ingesting from sources. If you do not feel comfortable following the above described procedure, it is always best to follow the directions as prescribed on the products label.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. It is a building block of protein that performs a myriad of physiological functions. It is a known precursor of the gas nitric oxide [N02].
Arginine is an amino acid that the body cannot make naturally. Therefore it is important to consume foods that are rich in arginine.1
Arginine is found in high concentrations in nuts and seeds like peanuts and almonds. It can also be found in chocolate and raisins.
What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?
Arginine is necessary for the execution of many physiological processes. These physiological processes include hormone secretion, an increase in growth hormone output, the removal of toxic waste products from the body, and immune system defenses.2
Because Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide [which is responsible for vasodiolation 3] it is often used for supporting healthy sexual function.
Recently, dietary supplements containing Arginine have become popular due to Arginine's nitric oxide producing ability, its ability to scavenge free radicals, as well as its ability to signal muscle cells, release growth hormone, support healthy cholesterol, and enhance fat metabolism. Arginine helps regulate salt levels in the body. 4
For this reason it should be of interest to competing bodybuilders, as retaining water under the skin can make one looks smooth, bloated and washed out. The nitrogen retaining abilities of Arginine are well-known within the bodybuilding and scientific communities. Arginine is also believed to be crucial for muscle growth due to its vasodilating abilities, as well as its ability to participate in protein synthesis. 5
Learn more about the benefits of L-Arginine on Clayton South's Health Facts.
Who needs it and what are some symptoms of deficiency?
Everyone. Populations in particular need of arginine are growing children, infants, athletes, individuals trying to lose weight, and the elderly. In adult populations Arginine is considered to be a non-essential amino acid. For children, by contrast, Arginine is essential to the defense and development of the adolescent immune system.
Persons suffering from injury can benefit from supplemental arginine, as demand for arginine is increased during times of bodily injury and repair.6 Persons looking to support their sexual health may also benefit from use of Arginine due to its vasodilating properties. Arginine will act to increase the diameter of blood vessels, thereby allowing increased blood flow to reach constricted areas.
Arginine presents benefits to hard training athletes. Supplementing with Arginine may boost the immune system, thereby allowing the athlete to train harder and avoid the detrimental effects of minor health problems associated with overtraining.
Athletes who are discontinuing the use of androgenic or anabolic steroids may benefit from supplemental arginine.
Due to Arginines ability to increase growth hormone levels, its ability to encourage lipid oxidization, and its ability to support healthy blood pressure, supplemental arginine may prove beneficial for persons looking to lose weight.
How much should be taken? Are there any side effects?
Individuals with existing heart or psychiatric conditions should consult with their physician prior to supplementing with Arginine. With any amino acid containing product, overdose is a possibility. Dosing with too much arginine can lead to diarrhea, weakness and nausea. Clear dosing guidelines have not yet been established, so it is best to do what is known as "tolerance mapping".
Take a small dosage for one week, note the benefits and the side effects, and increase the dosage until the benefits are maximized and the side effects minimized. Over time the two will converge and you will hit the optimal dose. This process is similar to "receptor mapping" for bodybuilders who use insulin and steroids.
Many protein powders on the market are fortified with amino acids, including arginine. With this in mind, pay particular attention to how much arginine you are ingesting from sources. If you do not feel comfortable following the above described procedure, it is always best to follow the directions as prescribed on the products label.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Is Low-Carb the way to go?
The latest trend in the area of weight loss is low-carb diets such as the Atkins Diet. With so much conflicting information out there on nutrition and weight loss, it's difficult for the average person to not only find out what works, but also understand how to apply it.
In order to help clear the air, I'm going to dispel some of the myths that are floating around and give you some facts backed up with real science on how the human body actually metabolizes food.
Why The Low-Carb Approach Is So Popular
There are a few reasons, but the most common is that people are finally realizing that the low-fat/high carb approach that has been promoted for decades now just doesn't work! Not only is it making us fatter, it's also responsible for dozens of diseases and illnesses.
It's true... most Americans eat too many carbs and are deficient in the healthy dietary fats. However, it seems that it has to be one extreme or the other with people in this country. So now many people are cutting carbs and avoiding them like the plague, which is just as bad.
But wait... you say that it works? Maybe you or someone you know has tried the low-carb approach and noticed significant weight loss. Yes, cutting carbs will cause you to lose weight, but not much actual body fat, if any at all. So, why do most people lose weight so quickly? It's because the human body holds 2.4g of water for every 1 gram of carbohydrate consumed. Cut the carbs and all you do is hold less water! This artificial weight loss is the main reason so many people are going low-carb.
Problems With Low-Carb Diets
So, not only does following a low-carb diet cause you to lose water, it also depletes muscle glycogen which leaves you feeling sluggish when trying to be active or workout. Remember, carbs are stored as glycogen in the muscles and glycogen is what's used to fuel your muscles.
Another problem with severely limiting carbs is that the brain uses carbs for energy and without enough carbs, you won't be 100% mentally. While I agree that people are different and that some people do better on lower amounts of carbs, most people will feel like crap after a week or two with no or low carbs.
But all the fitness and nutrition 'gurus' say that carbs are stored as fat, right? WRONG! Any excess energy (food or beverage) can be stored as fat - it doesn't matter if it's french fries or salad! Extra is extra is extra! To my knowledge, there has not been but one study that actually measured body fat of individuals following a low-carb both before and after to see exactly how much body fat was lost. Plus, this study was funded by a grant from Dr. Atkins!
Also, there is quite a bit more research that shows that carbs are not only ok to eat, but that they also contain vital nutrients that can't be found in other foods. A recent study done by French and Canadian researchers found that consuming carbohydrates in small amounts did NOT inhibit fat burning and only approximately 4% of it was stored as fat. This was in individuals who were not exercising.
They also assessed the effect of carbohydrates in individuals who performed light to moderate intensity exercise and found that the small carbohydrate meal resulted in no fat being stored and did NOT inhibit fat burning. Plus, even the large carbohydrate meal had NO effect on fat burning and all of it went directly to the muscles to replenish glycogen and repair tissue.
Just imagine what happens when you do a hard workout!
So what does this mean in plain English? Basically, carbs are fine in small to moderate amounts (even if you don't exercise) and on days you do exercise, the carbs are going to be stored in the muscles and not as fat.
So to all those people out there who think that eating carbs will result in them being stored as fat and it 'shutting off; the fat burning, I've got good news for you... You can finally have that big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs you've been craving! So how can you apply this to your eating and fitness program?
In order to help clear the air, I'm going to dispel some of the myths that are floating around and give you some facts backed up with real science on how the human body actually metabolizes food.
Why The Low-Carb Approach Is So Popular
There are a few reasons, but the most common is that people are finally realizing that the low-fat/high carb approach that has been promoted for decades now just doesn't work! Not only is it making us fatter, it's also responsible for dozens of diseases and illnesses.
It's true... most Americans eat too many carbs and are deficient in the healthy dietary fats. However, it seems that it has to be one extreme or the other with people in this country. So now many people are cutting carbs and avoiding them like the plague, which is just as bad.
But wait... you say that it works? Maybe you or someone you know has tried the low-carb approach and noticed significant weight loss. Yes, cutting carbs will cause you to lose weight, but not much actual body fat, if any at all. So, why do most people lose weight so quickly? It's because the human body holds 2.4g of water for every 1 gram of carbohydrate consumed. Cut the carbs and all you do is hold less water! This artificial weight loss is the main reason so many people are going low-carb.
Problems With Low-Carb Diets
So, not only does following a low-carb diet cause you to lose water, it also depletes muscle glycogen which leaves you feeling sluggish when trying to be active or workout. Remember, carbs are stored as glycogen in the muscles and glycogen is what's used to fuel your muscles.
Another problem with severely limiting carbs is that the brain uses carbs for energy and without enough carbs, you won't be 100% mentally. While I agree that people are different and that some people do better on lower amounts of carbs, most people will feel like crap after a week or two with no or low carbs.
But all the fitness and nutrition 'gurus' say that carbs are stored as fat, right? WRONG! Any excess energy (food or beverage) can be stored as fat - it doesn't matter if it's french fries or salad! Extra is extra is extra! To my knowledge, there has not been but one study that actually measured body fat of individuals following a low-carb both before and after to see exactly how much body fat was lost. Plus, this study was funded by a grant from Dr. Atkins!
Also, there is quite a bit more research that shows that carbs are not only ok to eat, but that they also contain vital nutrients that can't be found in other foods. A recent study done by French and Canadian researchers found that consuming carbohydrates in small amounts did NOT inhibit fat burning and only approximately 4% of it was stored as fat. This was in individuals who were not exercising.
They also assessed the effect of carbohydrates in individuals who performed light to moderate intensity exercise and found that the small carbohydrate meal resulted in no fat being stored and did NOT inhibit fat burning. Plus, even the large carbohydrate meal had NO effect on fat burning and all of it went directly to the muscles to replenish glycogen and repair tissue.
Just imagine what happens when you do a hard workout!
So what does this mean in plain English? Basically, carbs are fine in small to moderate amounts (even if you don't exercise) and on days you do exercise, the carbs are going to be stored in the muscles and not as fat.
So to all those people out there who think that eating carbs will result in them being stored as fat and it 'shutting off; the fat burning, I've got good news for you... You can finally have that big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs you've been craving! So how can you apply this to your eating and fitness program?
Friday, June 5, 2009
Do You Know Creatine?
What Is Creatine?
A French scientist discovered creatine in 1835. Creatine is a natural constituent of meat, mainly found in red meat. Creatine is manufactured naturally in the body from the amino acids glycine, arginine, and methionine. This process takes place in the kidneys, liver, and pancreas.
Approximately 40% of the body's creatine stores are free creatine (Cr), while the remaining 60% is stored in form of creatine phosphate (CP). The typical male adult processes 2 grams of creatine per day, and replaces that amount through dietary intake and fabrication within the body.
Creatine is used for the resynthesis of ATP. ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the "power" that drives muscular energetics. When a muscle is required to contract, the bonds in the ATP molecule are split, yielding ADP (adenosine-diphosphate). The energy released by breaking this bond powers the contraction of the muscle.
When ATP is depleted within the cell, the cell can no longer contract. There are several methods by which the body rebuilds ATP. The fastest method, without oxygen, is through CP. Creatine phosphate is "split" to yield the phosphate portion of the molecule.
This phosphate portion bonds to the ADP, turning it back to ATP. Once CP stores within the cell are depleted, the body must use other methods to replenish ATP.
Supplementation with creatine increases Cr and CP within the muscle, allowing further capacity to regenerate ATP. In other words, the creatine enhances the ability of the muscle to maintain power output during brief periods of high-intensity exercise. The periods are brief because the ability of a cell to store CP is limited, therefore the body will quickly move to other methods of replenishing ATP.
The majority of studies regarding creatine supplementation have used creatine monohydrate, the form of creatine bound to a water molecule. Some studies suggest that the combination of creatine and carbohydrate will enhance absorption or "uptake" of creatine. Science shows that creatine is unstable in liquid form, meaning that serum or liquid delivery systems are currently not supported by scientific literature.
The creatine rapidly degrades to creatinine, which is not useable by the body. There is very little support for the notion that creatine in any type of mixture, including an effervescent mixture, is absorbed more efficiently by the body. A company known as Albion Laboratories, Inc. claims to have found an effective delivery mechanism by chelating creatine to magnesium (a chelate is an organic compound that is typically absorbed more readily by the body than individual elements).
What Does Creatine Supplementation Do?
The common mechanism for creatine supplementation is known to be the increase of intramuscular creatine stores. It is known that CP is used to replenish ATP, and that the amount of CP naturally present is well below the maximum amount of CP that the body can store. Increasing dietary creatine allows the maximum amount of CP storage to be reached, which in turn provides more capacity to regenerate ATP.
An interesting effect of creatine supplementation appears to be enhanced ability for the muscle to store glycogen.
Glycogen is a form of carbohydrate stored inside the muscle that is used to fuel anaerobic activity (i.e. activity that is too intense to allow the cardiopulmonary system to deliver adequate oxygen).
The ATP-CP pathway is used during the initial few seconds that work is performed. The next dominant system uses glycolysis, which requires glycogen to fuel activity. After several seconds to a few minutes, the dominant system becomes the oxidative or cardiovascular system - in other words, aerobic exercise.
Many studies have shown that replenishing glycogen stores may aid recovery and hypertrophy (muscle growth). Bodybuilders use a protocol known as "carb-loading" to supersaturate their muscles with glycogen. Glycogen requires water to enter the muscle cell, therefore having higher glycogen levels means more fat-free mass and larger, fuller muscles.
If creatine does indeed increase the amount of glycogen storage achievable through super compensation or "loading", it stands to reason that a well-timed creatine cycle in conjunction with carb-loading will not only create incredible muscle fullness, but also potentially create an environment suited to optimal muscle growth. It should be noted that the super compensation was most pronounced when performed following a period of creatine supplementation, not during the initial period of supplementation itself.
An interesting effect of creatine supplementation is possible interaction with satellite cells. There are several different fiber types used to classify muscle tissue. In general, muscle tissue can be considered "endurance" fiber - able to perform multiple repetitions and highly resistant to injury - or "explosive" fiber - able to perform maximal workload for a short duration of time and highly susceptible to injury. There is a special type of muscle fiber known as "transitional fiber".
This fiber can be considered the "fight or flight" fiber - despite an individual's lack of overall fitness, when faced with a potentially dangerous situation, these fibers can "activate" to provide enormous bouts of strength. These fibers are easily damaged, but it has been shown that if cortisol levels are blocked subsequent to this damage occurring, instead of being "swept" away by the body, these cells fuse with "satellite" cells.
Satellite cells are special structures that are not true muscle cells until they fuse with transitional cells. The resulting cell is much larger and stronger. If these transitional fibers are appropriately activated and subsequent cortisol levels appropriately managed, creatine supplementation may help induce a significant hypertrophy effect.
A French scientist discovered creatine in 1835. Creatine is a natural constituent of meat, mainly found in red meat. Creatine is manufactured naturally in the body from the amino acids glycine, arginine, and methionine. This process takes place in the kidneys, liver, and pancreas.
Approximately 40% of the body's creatine stores are free creatine (Cr), while the remaining 60% is stored in form of creatine phosphate (CP). The typical male adult processes 2 grams of creatine per day, and replaces that amount through dietary intake and fabrication within the body.
Creatine is used for the resynthesis of ATP. ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the "power" that drives muscular energetics. When a muscle is required to contract, the bonds in the ATP molecule are split, yielding ADP (adenosine-diphosphate). The energy released by breaking this bond powers the contraction of the muscle.
When ATP is depleted within the cell, the cell can no longer contract. There are several methods by which the body rebuilds ATP. The fastest method, without oxygen, is through CP. Creatine phosphate is "split" to yield the phosphate portion of the molecule.
This phosphate portion bonds to the ADP, turning it back to ATP. Once CP stores within the cell are depleted, the body must use other methods to replenish ATP.
Supplementation with creatine increases Cr and CP within the muscle, allowing further capacity to regenerate ATP. In other words, the creatine enhances the ability of the muscle to maintain power output during brief periods of high-intensity exercise. The periods are brief because the ability of a cell to store CP is limited, therefore the body will quickly move to other methods of replenishing ATP.
The majority of studies regarding creatine supplementation have used creatine monohydrate, the form of creatine bound to a water molecule. Some studies suggest that the combination of creatine and carbohydrate will enhance absorption or "uptake" of creatine. Science shows that creatine is unstable in liquid form, meaning that serum or liquid delivery systems are currently not supported by scientific literature.
The creatine rapidly degrades to creatinine, which is not useable by the body. There is very little support for the notion that creatine in any type of mixture, including an effervescent mixture, is absorbed more efficiently by the body. A company known as Albion Laboratories, Inc. claims to have found an effective delivery mechanism by chelating creatine to magnesium (a chelate is an organic compound that is typically absorbed more readily by the body than individual elements).
What Does Creatine Supplementation Do?
The common mechanism for creatine supplementation is known to be the increase of intramuscular creatine stores. It is known that CP is used to replenish ATP, and that the amount of CP naturally present is well below the maximum amount of CP that the body can store. Increasing dietary creatine allows the maximum amount of CP storage to be reached, which in turn provides more capacity to regenerate ATP.
An interesting effect of creatine supplementation appears to be enhanced ability for the muscle to store glycogen.
Glycogen is a form of carbohydrate stored inside the muscle that is used to fuel anaerobic activity (i.e. activity that is too intense to allow the cardiopulmonary system to deliver adequate oxygen).
The ATP-CP pathway is used during the initial few seconds that work is performed. The next dominant system uses glycolysis, which requires glycogen to fuel activity. After several seconds to a few minutes, the dominant system becomes the oxidative or cardiovascular system - in other words, aerobic exercise.
Many studies have shown that replenishing glycogen stores may aid recovery and hypertrophy (muscle growth). Bodybuilders use a protocol known as "carb-loading" to supersaturate their muscles with glycogen. Glycogen requires water to enter the muscle cell, therefore having higher glycogen levels means more fat-free mass and larger, fuller muscles.
If creatine does indeed increase the amount of glycogen storage achievable through super compensation or "loading", it stands to reason that a well-timed creatine cycle in conjunction with carb-loading will not only create incredible muscle fullness, but also potentially create an environment suited to optimal muscle growth. It should be noted that the super compensation was most pronounced when performed following a period of creatine supplementation, not during the initial period of supplementation itself.
An interesting effect of creatine supplementation is possible interaction with satellite cells. There are several different fiber types used to classify muscle tissue. In general, muscle tissue can be considered "endurance" fiber - able to perform multiple repetitions and highly resistant to injury - or "explosive" fiber - able to perform maximal workload for a short duration of time and highly susceptible to injury. There is a special type of muscle fiber known as "transitional fiber".
This fiber can be considered the "fight or flight" fiber - despite an individual's lack of overall fitness, when faced with a potentially dangerous situation, these fibers can "activate" to provide enormous bouts of strength. These fibers are easily damaged, but it has been shown that if cortisol levels are blocked subsequent to this damage occurring, instead of being "swept" away by the body, these cells fuse with "satellite" cells.
Satellite cells are special structures that are not true muscle cells until they fuse with transitional cells. The resulting cell is much larger and stronger. If these transitional fibers are appropriately activated and subsequent cortisol levels appropriately managed, creatine supplementation may help induce a significant hypertrophy effect.
Friday, May 29, 2009
How To Get Wide Lats !!!
For the average trainer, the much desired lat spread does not come easily. In order to have lat flair you must first develop lats and herein lays the problem for many. Lat training is no different from the training of other body parts. There are dozens of various methods and techniques prescribed to widen the lats. Almost every routine tells you to perform chins, bent over rows, dumbbell rows, pull downs, T bar rows, and seated cable rows.
In fact, you would be hard pressed not to find a lat program that did not contain these movements. They are your basic lat exercises and you will have to do them to develop your lats. Some movements will work better for some while other movements will work better for others. The movements are not the problem, its the technique used, or in this case not used, and that presents the problem for most trainers.
Developing Great Lats
For a great many bodybuilders, proper feel and technique in performing lat work comes later on in their training. Unfortunately for most it is much later. Although thickness is obtained, the width and flair of the lats lag behind. The problem is due to not employing the correct technique in performing the various movements used to widen the lats. The technique is not really natural in nature and requires understanding, and a great deal of practice to master.
The biceps come into play heavily while performing any movements for the back, especially the lats. You cant work the lats without the biceps becoming involved to a very large degree. The secret is to limit the involvement of the biceps as much as possible. Most beginners use almost only bicep strength in performing lat exercises and this limits the results they can expect to receive. The biceps, forearms, and grip must be secondary muscle actions while performing lat movements... not foremost.
The hands must be viewed as hooks or cups that hook the bar. The mind must be focused on the back executing the movement and not pulling with the biceps. For most, this is difficult to do in the beginning as you cannot ignore the fact biceps are pulling muscles and used in any pulling movement. Mind visualization and practice are required in order to perform lat exercises properly for maximum benefit.
Although this technique is to be used on all back and lat movements, let me describe it using the bent over row as an example. Assume the bent over row position. Hands on the bar about shoulder width apart, your feet slightly wider than shoulder width. Keep your knees lightly bent throughout the movement. Bend over at the waist with your upper torso slightly more than parallel to the floor. Now focus on your arms and hands being nothing more than hooks on the bar. Concentrate full on your back and start the movement with your lats, not your arms. Try to make your shoulder blades touch one another.
Your focus must be on the lats doing the work, not the arms. The only way for most bodybuilders to properly perform lat work is to practice form and technique with very light weight. Once you have mastered the technique you can then begin adding weight to your exercises. Many bodybuilders use weights that are far too heavy for performing lat movements correctly. Poor form on lat exercises only places you at higher risk for injury and prevents you from working your lats the way they should be worked.
Chins are the absolute hardest movement to perform properly. Next are bent over rows. Both are excellent lat movements and allow for varied hand spacing to hit all aspects of the lats. You should continue to practice all lat movements using light weights without worrying about anything except your form. So that you will not feel using light weights counter productive to your training, I suggest you follow this giant set routine.
You will have to use light weights to make it thorough and it will give you plenty of practice. After following this giant set for about six weeks you should have the movements down pretty good and can advance to heavier weights and fewer movements per workout.
Begin by thoroughly warming up the lats. I suggest you perform chins for two sets of ten reps. If you are unable to do ten chins dont worry about it and every two sessions try to add one more repetition. Chins are difficult for most and I would not worry about the total number of reps you can actually perform. Just keep working on them. Since this is the warm-up movement, allow yourself about two to two and a half minutes between sets and the start of your workout.
The following movements are to be performed one right after another with no rest in between exercises. Once you have completed all the exercises in the order listed, this will constitute one giant set and you are to rest for two minutes before moving on to your next giant set. Remember; focus on form and not how much weight you can lift. This routine is designed to help you achieve the feel for working the lats.
In fact, you would be hard pressed not to find a lat program that did not contain these movements. They are your basic lat exercises and you will have to do them to develop your lats. Some movements will work better for some while other movements will work better for others. The movements are not the problem, its the technique used, or in this case not used, and that presents the problem for most trainers.
Developing Great Lats
For a great many bodybuilders, proper feel and technique in performing lat work comes later on in their training. Unfortunately for most it is much later. Although thickness is obtained, the width and flair of the lats lag behind. The problem is due to not employing the correct technique in performing the various movements used to widen the lats. The technique is not really natural in nature and requires understanding, and a great deal of practice to master.
The biceps come into play heavily while performing any movements for the back, especially the lats. You cant work the lats without the biceps becoming involved to a very large degree. The secret is to limit the involvement of the biceps as much as possible. Most beginners use almost only bicep strength in performing lat exercises and this limits the results they can expect to receive. The biceps, forearms, and grip must be secondary muscle actions while performing lat movements... not foremost.
The hands must be viewed as hooks or cups that hook the bar. The mind must be focused on the back executing the movement and not pulling with the biceps. For most, this is difficult to do in the beginning as you cannot ignore the fact biceps are pulling muscles and used in any pulling movement. Mind visualization and practice are required in order to perform lat exercises properly for maximum benefit.
Although this technique is to be used on all back and lat movements, let me describe it using the bent over row as an example. Assume the bent over row position. Hands on the bar about shoulder width apart, your feet slightly wider than shoulder width. Keep your knees lightly bent throughout the movement. Bend over at the waist with your upper torso slightly more than parallel to the floor. Now focus on your arms and hands being nothing more than hooks on the bar. Concentrate full on your back and start the movement with your lats, not your arms. Try to make your shoulder blades touch one another.
Your focus must be on the lats doing the work, not the arms. The only way for most bodybuilders to properly perform lat work is to practice form and technique with very light weight. Once you have mastered the technique you can then begin adding weight to your exercises. Many bodybuilders use weights that are far too heavy for performing lat movements correctly. Poor form on lat exercises only places you at higher risk for injury and prevents you from working your lats the way they should be worked.
Chins are the absolute hardest movement to perform properly. Next are bent over rows. Both are excellent lat movements and allow for varied hand spacing to hit all aspects of the lats. You should continue to practice all lat movements using light weights without worrying about anything except your form. So that you will not feel using light weights counter productive to your training, I suggest you follow this giant set routine.
You will have to use light weights to make it thorough and it will give you plenty of practice. After following this giant set for about six weeks you should have the movements down pretty good and can advance to heavier weights and fewer movements per workout.
Begin by thoroughly warming up the lats. I suggest you perform chins for two sets of ten reps. If you are unable to do ten chins dont worry about it and every two sessions try to add one more repetition. Chins are difficult for most and I would not worry about the total number of reps you can actually perform. Just keep working on them. Since this is the warm-up movement, allow yourself about two to two and a half minutes between sets and the start of your workout.
The following movements are to be performed one right after another with no rest in between exercises. Once you have completed all the exercises in the order listed, this will constitute one giant set and you are to rest for two minutes before moving on to your next giant set. Remember; focus on form and not how much weight you can lift. This routine is designed to help you achieve the feel for working the lats.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
All About Recovery From Training And Competition
1) Replenishment Of Muscle Glycogen Stores
After many types of training, muscle glycogen levels are depleted. Rapid replenishement of muscle glycogen stores has a favorable impact on the prevention of muscle protein catabolism, on cellular rehydration, and on subsequent exercise performances within the same day or on subsequent days.
Basically, if you don't replenish glycogen rapidly, your performance will suffer next time you train and you may even lose some muscle along the way. Achieving the most rapid replenishment of muscle glycogen stores is especially important to my endurance athletes because they often train several times per day. However this can also help those training for bodybuilding as bodybuilding training (9-12 reps) often can deplete muscle glycogen.
In terms of glycogen replacement, the main difference between the two types of athletes is that endurance athletes usually need more glycogen replacement than do weight trainees. With endurance exercise the athlete should consume more carbs over the 4-6 hour period after the workout than the weight lifter.
In endurance athletes, I usually recommend consuming a liquid meal immediately after training that contains 0.4g protein and 0.8g of carbs per kg of body mass. Then I instruct them to consume food meals in similar proportions every 2 hours for 3 subsequent meals.
This means that there will be 4 total meals in the 6 hours following training that conform to the 0.4g protein and 0.8g fat recommendations. Some fat may be included in these latter meals but since carb intake will be high, fat intake should be modest.
2) Recovery Of Protein Balance
Protein balance is calculated as the difference between protein synthesis (protein anabolism) and protein breakdown (protein catabolism). As I've written before in my Solving the Post-Workout Puzzle articles, after training, protein synthesis tends to go down in endurance trainees while it may stay the same or minimially increase in weight trainees.
However in both types of athletes, protein breakdown goes way up, thus creating a negative protein balance and a good potential for muscle loss. Although this eventually rebounds and the body goes into an anabolic state, in the time immediately following training, muscle can be lost. Since no athlete can afford muscle loss, this is an important focus for recovery and subsequent muscle gain.
While weight trainers jump for joy at even the slightest prospect of a weight gain, endurance athletes aren't so excited about the possibility of any weight gain. However, the endurance athletes have nothing to fear. Since endurance athletes have a predomination of slow twitch fibers, the recovery of protein balance in these athletes is designed to prevent muscle loss as a result of intense training.
These types of fibers just don't grow very well so there is no big danger of packing on the pounds. But in bodybuilders, the fast twitch fibers respond quite differently than the slow twitch fibers. You will grow when a positive protein balance is initiated with nutrition and supplementation. And this means you get big.
So how does one initiate the recovery of protein balance after training?
Conveniently, the best way to do so is to consume the nutrient recommendations from the last section (glycogen replenishment).
By consuming the mentioned ratios (with the addition of some individual amino acids like glutamine, bcaas, and phenylalanine in the first post-workout drink) you will quickly create the optimal anabolic environment by minimizing protein breakdown and increasing protein synthesis.
3) Recovery Of The CNS
(Neurotransmitter balance)
Neurotransmitters are responsible for many functions in cell signaling and play a big role in the communication between different brain areas and between the brain and the rest of the body. Research on these regulatory chemicals and their effects in exercise training has just recently begun to get the attention it deserves. But this field is still in its infancy due to the fact that it's difficult to study the brain and central nervous system.
Some evidence exists showing that when neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, dopamine, and norepinephrine get depleted, physical and cognitive performance suffers. Since these neurotransmitters can be depleted from intense repeated bouts of strenuous exercise, this is bad news. I believe that certain types of fatigue with endurance training as well as many of the symptoms of over training (altered appetite, inability to sleep, etc.) are a result of this type of depletion of neurotransmitters.
In addition to this evidence, there is research showing that even the ratio of tryptophan to BCAA in the blood can increase 5-HT (serotonin) levels in the brain. This is due to increased tryptophan uptake in the brain. Tryptophan is a precursor for the fatigue promoting neurotransmitter, serotonin.
Since neurotransmitters can be depleted during exercise and this depletion can cause fatigue and over training, nutritional strategies may offer some support. Supplementation with 1-2 g of phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) per day may prevent the depletion of acetylcholine seen with training. Since acetylcholine is active in promoting muscular force, memory, and awareness, this would offer both cognitive and performance benefits. In addition, 6-8 g of tyrosine supplementation per day may help with dopamine and noradrenaline depletion.
Depletion Of These Neurotransmitters May Lead To:
• CNS fatigue
• Reduced motivation
• Poor memory
• Loss of motor control
• Poor mood
Finally, supplementation with 5g of BCAA during training may prevent serotonin increases during and after training due to the fact that BCAA compete with tryptophan for uptake into the brain, thus reducing the precursors for serotonin production.
Since the research in this area is so new, I recommend that most endurance athletes try the supplements I mentioned to see if they impacts performance. If not, we simply eliminate them from the program. There is simply not enough evidence to know if the neurotransmitter alterations seen in training have that much of an impact on performance and whether or not supplements can help in this regard.
4) Maximizing The Anabolic To Catabolic Hormone Ratio
In very intensely trained athletes, the anabolic hormones (testosterone) tend to decrease while the catabolic hormones (cortisol) tend to increase. This phenomenon is present in most endurance athletes and can manifest in weight trainers who do a high volume of exercise. This imbalance can lead to muscle loss, performance decrements, depression, and fat gain.
Several supplement strategies can be employed in an attempt to correct this. In a study done by Steve McGregor, Tribex supplementation increased the free testosterone to cortisol ratio in elite cyclists. This indicates it may be useful in balancing the anabolic and catabolic hormones.
1. Tribulus Terrestris, a very unusual, very powerful herb that has been shown in numerous studies to elevate testosterone levels.
2. Avena Sativa, a plant that has chemical properties that increase the levels of free testosterone in the body.
In addition, supplements like vitamin C, phosphatidylserine, and plant sterols may help prevent exercise induced increases in cortisol levels.
5) Recovery of the ATP-PC system
The ATP-PC system is responsible for repeated muscular contractions at the start of all exercise. It is also extremely important for brief, all-out bursts of maximal effort. ATP (the best energy source for muscular contraction) is broken down during such efforts and PC comes to the rescue to resynthesize the ATP that was broken down. This system is usually very efficient.
However when you really challenge the system with high intensity muscle-damaging contractions, the ATP is broken down faster than it can be resynthesized and some of its degradation products are lost from the muscle. This means that for each ATP that is lost, that's one less ATP to be resynthesized for further work.
Over the next few days following an exercise bout, ATP levels can be lowered by about 20% due to this. Sure, a few days later it will be back to normal. But most athletes don't train once every 3 days or so but every day. So they need more rapid recovery of ATP.
Creatine supplementation and ribose supplementation may come in handy here. High starting levels of muscle creatine before the exercise bout may be beneficial in preventing the overwhelming of the system and therefore the ATP loss.
In addition, ribose supplementation has been shown (in vitro) to increase the rate of ATP resynthesis after exercise-induced depletion. So the creatine-ribose combination may be beneficial in partially preventing ATP depletion with exercise and may help lead to more rapid recovery of ATP to previous levels.
With the knowledge of these 5 areas essential to recovery after training, athletes can target their weakest areas. Proper identification of what system may not be recovering will help to target nutritional strategies for maximizing performance and minimizing symptoms of over training.
After many types of training, muscle glycogen levels are depleted. Rapid replenishement of muscle glycogen stores has a favorable impact on the prevention of muscle protein catabolism, on cellular rehydration, and on subsequent exercise performances within the same day or on subsequent days.
Basically, if you don't replenish glycogen rapidly, your performance will suffer next time you train and you may even lose some muscle along the way. Achieving the most rapid replenishment of muscle glycogen stores is especially important to my endurance athletes because they often train several times per day. However this can also help those training for bodybuilding as bodybuilding training (9-12 reps) often can deplete muscle glycogen.
In terms of glycogen replacement, the main difference between the two types of athletes is that endurance athletes usually need more glycogen replacement than do weight trainees. With endurance exercise the athlete should consume more carbs over the 4-6 hour period after the workout than the weight lifter.
In endurance athletes, I usually recommend consuming a liquid meal immediately after training that contains 0.4g protein and 0.8g of carbs per kg of body mass. Then I instruct them to consume food meals in similar proportions every 2 hours for 3 subsequent meals.
This means that there will be 4 total meals in the 6 hours following training that conform to the 0.4g protein and 0.8g fat recommendations. Some fat may be included in these latter meals but since carb intake will be high, fat intake should be modest.
2) Recovery Of Protein Balance
Protein balance is calculated as the difference between protein synthesis (protein anabolism) and protein breakdown (protein catabolism). As I've written before in my Solving the Post-Workout Puzzle articles, after training, protein synthesis tends to go down in endurance trainees while it may stay the same or minimially increase in weight trainees.
However in both types of athletes, protein breakdown goes way up, thus creating a negative protein balance and a good potential for muscle loss. Although this eventually rebounds and the body goes into an anabolic state, in the time immediately following training, muscle can be lost. Since no athlete can afford muscle loss, this is an important focus for recovery and subsequent muscle gain.
While weight trainers jump for joy at even the slightest prospect of a weight gain, endurance athletes aren't so excited about the possibility of any weight gain. However, the endurance athletes have nothing to fear. Since endurance athletes have a predomination of slow twitch fibers, the recovery of protein balance in these athletes is designed to prevent muscle loss as a result of intense training.
These types of fibers just don't grow very well so there is no big danger of packing on the pounds. But in bodybuilders, the fast twitch fibers respond quite differently than the slow twitch fibers. You will grow when a positive protein balance is initiated with nutrition and supplementation. And this means you get big.
So how does one initiate the recovery of protein balance after training?
Conveniently, the best way to do so is to consume the nutrient recommendations from the last section (glycogen replenishment).
By consuming the mentioned ratios (with the addition of some individual amino acids like glutamine, bcaas, and phenylalanine in the first post-workout drink) you will quickly create the optimal anabolic environment by minimizing protein breakdown and increasing protein synthesis.
3) Recovery Of The CNS
(Neurotransmitter balance)
Neurotransmitters are responsible for many functions in cell signaling and play a big role in the communication between different brain areas and between the brain and the rest of the body. Research on these regulatory chemicals and their effects in exercise training has just recently begun to get the attention it deserves. But this field is still in its infancy due to the fact that it's difficult to study the brain and central nervous system.
Some evidence exists showing that when neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, dopamine, and norepinephrine get depleted, physical and cognitive performance suffers. Since these neurotransmitters can be depleted from intense repeated bouts of strenuous exercise, this is bad news. I believe that certain types of fatigue with endurance training as well as many of the symptoms of over training (altered appetite, inability to sleep, etc.) are a result of this type of depletion of neurotransmitters.
In addition to this evidence, there is research showing that even the ratio of tryptophan to BCAA in the blood can increase 5-HT (serotonin) levels in the brain. This is due to increased tryptophan uptake in the brain. Tryptophan is a precursor for the fatigue promoting neurotransmitter, serotonin.
Since neurotransmitters can be depleted during exercise and this depletion can cause fatigue and over training, nutritional strategies may offer some support. Supplementation with 1-2 g of phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) per day may prevent the depletion of acetylcholine seen with training. Since acetylcholine is active in promoting muscular force, memory, and awareness, this would offer both cognitive and performance benefits. In addition, 6-8 g of tyrosine supplementation per day may help with dopamine and noradrenaline depletion.
Depletion Of These Neurotransmitters May Lead To:
• CNS fatigue
• Reduced motivation
• Poor memory
• Loss of motor control
• Poor mood
Finally, supplementation with 5g of BCAA during training may prevent serotonin increases during and after training due to the fact that BCAA compete with tryptophan for uptake into the brain, thus reducing the precursors for serotonin production.
Since the research in this area is so new, I recommend that most endurance athletes try the supplements I mentioned to see if they impacts performance. If not, we simply eliminate them from the program. There is simply not enough evidence to know if the neurotransmitter alterations seen in training have that much of an impact on performance and whether or not supplements can help in this regard.
4) Maximizing The Anabolic To Catabolic Hormone Ratio
In very intensely trained athletes, the anabolic hormones (testosterone) tend to decrease while the catabolic hormones (cortisol) tend to increase. This phenomenon is present in most endurance athletes and can manifest in weight trainers who do a high volume of exercise. This imbalance can lead to muscle loss, performance decrements, depression, and fat gain.
Several supplement strategies can be employed in an attempt to correct this. In a study done by Steve McGregor, Tribex supplementation increased the free testosterone to cortisol ratio in elite cyclists. This indicates it may be useful in balancing the anabolic and catabolic hormones.
1. Tribulus Terrestris, a very unusual, very powerful herb that has been shown in numerous studies to elevate testosterone levels.
2. Avena Sativa, a plant that has chemical properties that increase the levels of free testosterone in the body.
In addition, supplements like vitamin C, phosphatidylserine, and plant sterols may help prevent exercise induced increases in cortisol levels.
5) Recovery of the ATP-PC system
The ATP-PC system is responsible for repeated muscular contractions at the start of all exercise. It is also extremely important for brief, all-out bursts of maximal effort. ATP (the best energy source for muscular contraction) is broken down during such efforts and PC comes to the rescue to resynthesize the ATP that was broken down. This system is usually very efficient.
However when you really challenge the system with high intensity muscle-damaging contractions, the ATP is broken down faster than it can be resynthesized and some of its degradation products are lost from the muscle. This means that for each ATP that is lost, that's one less ATP to be resynthesized for further work.
Over the next few days following an exercise bout, ATP levels can be lowered by about 20% due to this. Sure, a few days later it will be back to normal. But most athletes don't train once every 3 days or so but every day. So they need more rapid recovery of ATP.
Creatine supplementation and ribose supplementation may come in handy here. High starting levels of muscle creatine before the exercise bout may be beneficial in preventing the overwhelming of the system and therefore the ATP loss.
In addition, ribose supplementation has been shown (in vitro) to increase the rate of ATP resynthesis after exercise-induced depletion. So the creatine-ribose combination may be beneficial in partially preventing ATP depletion with exercise and may help lead to more rapid recovery of ATP to previous levels.
With the knowledge of these 5 areas essential to recovery after training, athletes can target their weakest areas. Proper identification of what system may not be recovering will help to target nutritional strategies for maximizing performance and minimizing symptoms of over training.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
All About Green Tea
I have been a green tea fanatic long before the green tea craze hit the supplement market. Now every damn weight loss product on the market has stuck some green tea extract on their ingredient list. I believe you can get some benefit from supplementing this way but your not using the plants full potential.
The Benefits Of Green Tea:
Green Tea Contains The Following:
Tannins - A group of simple and complex phenol, polyphenol, and flavonoid compounds. Produced by plants, all of the tannins are relatively resistant to digestion or fermentation. All tannins act as astringents, shrinking tissues and contracting structural proteins in the skin and mucosa.
What Does This Do For You?
Having a cup of green tea after a meal can aid in digestion. Green tea has been used for thousand of years in Asia as a digestive.
Catechins - Catechins are a category of polyphenols. In green tea, catechins are present in significant quantities, more specifically; epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG makes up about 10-50% of the total catechin content and appears to be the most powerful of the catechins - with antioxidant activity about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E.
A cup of green tea may provide 10-40mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant activity greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots or strawberries.
What Does This Do For You?
Well having a powerful anti-oxidant coursing through your system after a heavy workout is just what you need to curb free radical damage.
Flavonoids - Flavonoids are plant pigments, and are the brightly colored chemical constituents found in most fresh fruits and vegetables. They may aid in protecting against infection. Deficiency can result in a tendency to bruise easily.
What Does This Do For You?
Obviously your workouts will suffer if you are sick.
Theanine - An amino acid that produces tranquilizing effects in the brain, theanine is a unique amino acid found in the leaves sencha. Theanine is quite different from the polyphenol and catechin antioxidants for which green tea is typically consumed.
What Does This Do For You?
I can personally attest to the good feelings you get after a couple cups of green tea. It leaves you with a peaceful feeling without compromising motivation and mental activity.
Bodybuilding & Fitness Uses
Pre-workout - Green tea is a great alternative to the ECA stack. Yeah I know nothing beats the ECA stack but hear me out. A number of people, including myself do not like how the ECA stack makes us feel.
I get jittery and easily angered for some reason. The green tea is great because it does have some caffeine and the Theanine really relaxes you mentally but lets you perform physically.
Cutting - Research suggests that supplementing with green tea can raise your resting metabolic rate by 3%. In order to get this benefit you must have about about 3 glasses a day. If you have a bmr of 2000 or so that means 60 extra calories a day. Why do you see so few obese Asians. Its not the kung-fu. It's the green tea!
All About Tea
All teas come from the same source. The tea plant is a member of the Camellia family (Camellia sinensis). Black tea, oolong tea, and green tea are all derivatives of this one plant.
It is the way the tea is prepared that determines its color. After the tea plant is picked, it is fermented, and then heated to stop the fermentation process. This fermentation process is responsible for the caffine content of the tea. The longer it is fermented the more caffine the tea will have. Green tea has the least amount of caffine of all the teas because it is the least fermented. The reason why green tea has the most health benefits is because a longer fermentation process destroys many of the beneficial substances in the tea plant. That is why chugging your Lipton tea is not even remotely comparable to having a cup of green tea (Lipton is made from black tea).
Qualities Of Tea
There is a huge quality difference in tea. Tea has been compared to wine when it comes to grading. The crap you get when you buy a package of tea at the supermarket and the tea you can get in loose whole leaf form is worlds apart in taste and quality. When selecting tea to be put in bags and sold commercially, manufacturers select the cheapest and lowest quality grade available. The leaves are broken and packed into the small tea bags. Breaking the leaves apart like this degrades the taste and eliminates some of the healthful macronutrients.
I suggest ordering your tea in whole leaf form. Try to get organically grown green tea in loose leaf form for maximum benefit. If you do not like the taste of green tea supplementing is always and option.
Conclusion
Green tea can be a great addition to the fitness enthusiast's arsenal. It is no wonder there is a media blitz telling you green tea is the latest greatest supplement. But it is no more "the latest supplement" than food is. Its been around for 1000s of years and there are billions of Asians who swear by it. I personally love it.
The Benefits Of Green Tea:
Green Tea Contains The Following:
Tannins - A group of simple and complex phenol, polyphenol, and flavonoid compounds. Produced by plants, all of the tannins are relatively resistant to digestion or fermentation. All tannins act as astringents, shrinking tissues and contracting structural proteins in the skin and mucosa.
What Does This Do For You?
Having a cup of green tea after a meal can aid in digestion. Green tea has been used for thousand of years in Asia as a digestive.
Catechins - Catechins are a category of polyphenols. In green tea, catechins are present in significant quantities, more specifically; epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG makes up about 10-50% of the total catechin content and appears to be the most powerful of the catechins - with antioxidant activity about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E.
A cup of green tea may provide 10-40mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant activity greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots or strawberries.
What Does This Do For You?
Well having a powerful anti-oxidant coursing through your system after a heavy workout is just what you need to curb free radical damage.
Flavonoids - Flavonoids are plant pigments, and are the brightly colored chemical constituents found in most fresh fruits and vegetables. They may aid in protecting against infection. Deficiency can result in a tendency to bruise easily.
What Does This Do For You?
Obviously your workouts will suffer if you are sick.
Theanine - An amino acid that produces tranquilizing effects in the brain, theanine is a unique amino acid found in the leaves sencha. Theanine is quite different from the polyphenol and catechin antioxidants for which green tea is typically consumed.
What Does This Do For You?
I can personally attest to the good feelings you get after a couple cups of green tea. It leaves you with a peaceful feeling without compromising motivation and mental activity.
Bodybuilding & Fitness Uses
Pre-workout - Green tea is a great alternative to the ECA stack. Yeah I know nothing beats the ECA stack but hear me out. A number of people, including myself do not like how the ECA stack makes us feel.
I get jittery and easily angered for some reason. The green tea is great because it does have some caffeine and the Theanine really relaxes you mentally but lets you perform physically.
Cutting - Research suggests that supplementing with green tea can raise your resting metabolic rate by 3%. In order to get this benefit you must have about about 3 glasses a day. If you have a bmr of 2000 or so that means 60 extra calories a day. Why do you see so few obese Asians. Its not the kung-fu. It's the green tea!
All About Tea
All teas come from the same source. The tea plant is a member of the Camellia family (Camellia sinensis). Black tea, oolong tea, and green tea are all derivatives of this one plant.
It is the way the tea is prepared that determines its color. After the tea plant is picked, it is fermented, and then heated to stop the fermentation process. This fermentation process is responsible for the caffine content of the tea. The longer it is fermented the more caffine the tea will have. Green tea has the least amount of caffine of all the teas because it is the least fermented. The reason why green tea has the most health benefits is because a longer fermentation process destroys many of the beneficial substances in the tea plant. That is why chugging your Lipton tea is not even remotely comparable to having a cup of green tea (Lipton is made from black tea).
Qualities Of Tea
There is a huge quality difference in tea. Tea has been compared to wine when it comes to grading. The crap you get when you buy a package of tea at the supermarket and the tea you can get in loose whole leaf form is worlds apart in taste and quality. When selecting tea to be put in bags and sold commercially, manufacturers select the cheapest and lowest quality grade available. The leaves are broken and packed into the small tea bags. Breaking the leaves apart like this degrades the taste and eliminates some of the healthful macronutrients.
I suggest ordering your tea in whole leaf form. Try to get organically grown green tea in loose leaf form for maximum benefit. If you do not like the taste of green tea supplementing is always and option.
Conclusion
Green tea can be a great addition to the fitness enthusiast's arsenal. It is no wonder there is a media blitz telling you green tea is the latest greatest supplement. But it is no more "the latest supplement" than food is. Its been around for 1000s of years and there are billions of Asians who swear by it. I personally love it.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
All About Water Retention
I hear it all the time... "I do so much cardio, and my diet and training are so on point, yet I still have this layer of fat covering my abs! What's the matter with me?" Well... that layer of "muscle-masking mess" that you might assume to be fat, could in fact be primarily "subcutaneous fluid", otherwise known as "water weight".
The body has a natural mechanism for storing water and ions in the body, just as it does for storing excess calories as fat. Ions are basically charged particles which float around in your body, having various functions. You may have heard the term "electrolyte" before. An electrolyte is basically a molecule with a certain electric "charge" in your body, such as potassium (K+), or sodium (Na+), for example.
Take this test: See that skin covering your lower abdominal area? Give it a pinch, pull it, and let it go. If it shakes with a sort of quick "rippled" motion, you are probably carrying a lot of fluid which you were assuming to be fat.
A lot of bodybuilders get very lean, and achieve vascularity in areas such as their arms and legs, yet still cannot get their lower abdominal muscles to appear. This is usually due, not to fat, but to fluid and excess sodium ions being deposited in the lower abdominal region, thereby masking the well-sculpted muscle that lies underneath. This is why you hear a lot of people saying things such as "I'll never get this thick skin to go away"; when in fact they are misunderstanding a major concept that underlies achieving a truly striated and well-defined look: flushing subcutaneous fluid and excess sodium from underneath the skin.
"But how do I get rid of that excess fluid?" you might ask. I'm going to outline the steps I follow when I have a little extra fluid to lose, so that you also can get rid of that stubborn water weight, and achieve the thin skin, and truly striated look of competitive bodybuilders and fitness models. Before you start to drop water weight though, it is wise to know if you are lean enough to even begin considering it.
If you are above 7 or 8% body fat and you're looking to get extremely lean from water loss, it probably won't happen. But if you can already pretty much see your abdominal muscles, but have thick skin overlying them, and want to thin it out a bit, then these steps should be what you need to achieve the look you desire. Stick with it for a prolonged period of time, and give it a dedicated try. Nothing works overnight.
1) Drink More Water.
That's right. You've probably heard this one before, and it is definitely true. This is the most important advice I can give, and I cannot stress its importance. Besides flushing out your kidneys and entire digestive system, hydrating your body, and brain, thereby allowing your metabolism to function more effectively, and just making for a nicer skin tone and appearance, drinking more water causes you to release more water through excretion, thereby dropping "water retention".
Aim for 1-2 gallons of water a day, but be sure to take a complete multi-vitamin, as drinking a lot of water causes you to excrete many ions which may result in a deficiency of certain vitamins.
2) Sweat, Sweat, Sweat...
Sweating is a way of "evaporative cooling", a mechanism by which the body regulates its temperature. If you are sweating, it means your metabolism is probably in high gear, since a higher metabolism equals a higher resting body temperature for the most part. Also, water retention is not simply "water", but sodium ions trapped underneath the skin. This is why your sweat tastes salty. A trick I use is to sit in the sauna, and keep drinking water. In the beginning, your sweat will taste salty, telling you that you are retaining sodium.
After a while, your sweat will begin to taste like water. This tells you that you have sweat most of the sodium out that was being retained underneath your skin, which means you have lost a good portion of muscle-masking fluid. Once again, whenever sitting in a sauna, be sure to have water handy, and be sure to supplement with a vitamin, as you sweat out many of your essential vitamins.
3) Pose, Pose, Pose...
A lot of people don't like to sit in front of the mirror and squeeze their muscles, but I have found this to be one of the most important factors in truly achieving great detail deep within the muscle bellies. Besides causing you to sweat out subcutaneous fluid, posing allows you to gain greater control of your muscles. Try to flex just your posterior deltoid muscle, or just one muscle of your quadriceps.
It is a good method of practice for establishing a mind-muscle connection which will both enhance definition while posing, and allow you to better control your muscles during resistance training. The more you pose, and keep your sodium and water level low, the more cuts you will begin to see in your muscles over time, providing that your diet is on point as well.
4) Don't Gorge On The Salt!
That's correct, eating foods such as french fries, potato chips, and various other foods loaded with unnecessary amounts of sodium, will cause you to retain water. The body only needs between 2000-2500mg of sodium a day to complete its metabolic functions.
If you go way over that mark, you are indulging in a mineral which the American population has been using in excess for quite some time now, creating many health problems and concerns. Keep your sodium moderate, and replace excess salt with spices such as garlic, ginger, fresh vegetables, black pepper, chives, cilantro, Ms. Dash, hot sauce, or anything else your taste buds desire.
5) Fiber, Fiber, Fiber...
Most Americans, and even more surprisingly, most "bodybuilders", do not consume adequate amounts of fiber in their diet. Similar to water, which cleanses the urinary tract and kidneys, fiber cleanses the colon/intestinal tract, keeping things moving smoothly, and mores, aiding in the removal of excess fluid. In the morning, if I find that I need to drop some fluid, I will take 2 tablespoons of Psyllium Husk Orange Natural Colon Cleanser, mixed with water.
During my meals, I include fresh vegetables, and I steam the ones I cook very lightly or eat them raw with Balsamic Vinegar and/or garlic powder to make sure I don't boil out all of their nutrients. I also include fresh fruits such as blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, all of which have plenty of fiber and many antioxidants` which help prevent against cancer and other ailments. When in doubt, berries are a great way to go.
6) Dandelion Root & Black Coffee Or Tea!
I have found the natural herb dandelion root to be a good naturally occurring diuretic, when taken in conjunction with the previous methods I have outlined. Always make sure to drink PLENTY of water and watch your sodium levels, otherwise you will be wasting your time. Coffee and tea are naturally occurring diuretics as well, although some people might not like the jittery feeling caused by stimulants.
7) Tan, Tan, Tan...
Tanning helps to tighten up the skin, and drop excess fluid through sweating as well. Always use some sort of SPF level, and make sure to consume antioxidants (such as berries), on a frequent basis to fight off free radicals which can be carcinogenic (cancer causing).
8) Give Preparation-H A Try!
If you've followed all of my previous steps, but still find that you are retaining a little more fluid than you'd like, I've found that rubbing preparation-H on my stomach before doing cardio, and/or tanning helps me to drop excess fluid from stubborn areas.
Once again, this won't work if you aren't already lean, or if you are slacking on your diet and/or consuming too much sodium. But if all of the above are in control, then this might just be the little spark to ignite the rest of that water releasing fire. Think about it…this stuff is used to shrink fluid out of swollen hemhorroidal tissue. It's worked for me, but once again it takes time.
So I've outlined the steps you should take in order to achieve the look you desire, minus the water-retention. As always, the first step to achieving that balanced physique is a proper nutritional and training regiment. If those are in check, and you find that you are 1 or 2 steps away from dropping that last bit of water, then this should be all you need to get to where you desire.
The body has a natural mechanism for storing water and ions in the body, just as it does for storing excess calories as fat. Ions are basically charged particles which float around in your body, having various functions. You may have heard the term "electrolyte" before. An electrolyte is basically a molecule with a certain electric "charge" in your body, such as potassium (K+), or sodium (Na+), for example.
Take this test: See that skin covering your lower abdominal area? Give it a pinch, pull it, and let it go. If it shakes with a sort of quick "rippled" motion, you are probably carrying a lot of fluid which you were assuming to be fat.
A lot of bodybuilders get very lean, and achieve vascularity in areas such as their arms and legs, yet still cannot get their lower abdominal muscles to appear. This is usually due, not to fat, but to fluid and excess sodium ions being deposited in the lower abdominal region, thereby masking the well-sculpted muscle that lies underneath. This is why you hear a lot of people saying things such as "I'll never get this thick skin to go away"; when in fact they are misunderstanding a major concept that underlies achieving a truly striated and well-defined look: flushing subcutaneous fluid and excess sodium from underneath the skin.
"But how do I get rid of that excess fluid?" you might ask. I'm going to outline the steps I follow when I have a little extra fluid to lose, so that you also can get rid of that stubborn water weight, and achieve the thin skin, and truly striated look of competitive bodybuilders and fitness models. Before you start to drop water weight though, it is wise to know if you are lean enough to even begin considering it.
If you are above 7 or 8% body fat and you're looking to get extremely lean from water loss, it probably won't happen. But if you can already pretty much see your abdominal muscles, but have thick skin overlying them, and want to thin it out a bit, then these steps should be what you need to achieve the look you desire. Stick with it for a prolonged period of time, and give it a dedicated try. Nothing works overnight.
1) Drink More Water.
That's right. You've probably heard this one before, and it is definitely true. This is the most important advice I can give, and I cannot stress its importance. Besides flushing out your kidneys and entire digestive system, hydrating your body, and brain, thereby allowing your metabolism to function more effectively, and just making for a nicer skin tone and appearance, drinking more water causes you to release more water through excretion, thereby dropping "water retention".
Aim for 1-2 gallons of water a day, but be sure to take a complete multi-vitamin, as drinking a lot of water causes you to excrete many ions which may result in a deficiency of certain vitamins.
2) Sweat, Sweat, Sweat...
Sweating is a way of "evaporative cooling", a mechanism by which the body regulates its temperature. If you are sweating, it means your metabolism is probably in high gear, since a higher metabolism equals a higher resting body temperature for the most part. Also, water retention is not simply "water", but sodium ions trapped underneath the skin. This is why your sweat tastes salty. A trick I use is to sit in the sauna, and keep drinking water. In the beginning, your sweat will taste salty, telling you that you are retaining sodium.
After a while, your sweat will begin to taste like water. This tells you that you have sweat most of the sodium out that was being retained underneath your skin, which means you have lost a good portion of muscle-masking fluid. Once again, whenever sitting in a sauna, be sure to have water handy, and be sure to supplement with a vitamin, as you sweat out many of your essential vitamins.
3) Pose, Pose, Pose...
A lot of people don't like to sit in front of the mirror and squeeze their muscles, but I have found this to be one of the most important factors in truly achieving great detail deep within the muscle bellies. Besides causing you to sweat out subcutaneous fluid, posing allows you to gain greater control of your muscles. Try to flex just your posterior deltoid muscle, or just one muscle of your quadriceps.
It is a good method of practice for establishing a mind-muscle connection which will both enhance definition while posing, and allow you to better control your muscles during resistance training. The more you pose, and keep your sodium and water level low, the more cuts you will begin to see in your muscles over time, providing that your diet is on point as well.
4) Don't Gorge On The Salt!
That's correct, eating foods such as french fries, potato chips, and various other foods loaded with unnecessary amounts of sodium, will cause you to retain water. The body only needs between 2000-2500mg of sodium a day to complete its metabolic functions.
If you go way over that mark, you are indulging in a mineral which the American population has been using in excess for quite some time now, creating many health problems and concerns. Keep your sodium moderate, and replace excess salt with spices such as garlic, ginger, fresh vegetables, black pepper, chives, cilantro, Ms. Dash, hot sauce, or anything else your taste buds desire.
5) Fiber, Fiber, Fiber...
Most Americans, and even more surprisingly, most "bodybuilders", do not consume adequate amounts of fiber in their diet. Similar to water, which cleanses the urinary tract and kidneys, fiber cleanses the colon/intestinal tract, keeping things moving smoothly, and mores, aiding in the removal of excess fluid. In the morning, if I find that I need to drop some fluid, I will take 2 tablespoons of Psyllium Husk Orange Natural Colon Cleanser, mixed with water.
During my meals, I include fresh vegetables, and I steam the ones I cook very lightly or eat them raw with Balsamic Vinegar and/or garlic powder to make sure I don't boil out all of their nutrients. I also include fresh fruits such as blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, all of which have plenty of fiber and many antioxidants` which help prevent against cancer and other ailments. When in doubt, berries are a great way to go.
6) Dandelion Root & Black Coffee Or Tea!
I have found the natural herb dandelion root to be a good naturally occurring diuretic, when taken in conjunction with the previous methods I have outlined. Always make sure to drink PLENTY of water and watch your sodium levels, otherwise you will be wasting your time. Coffee and tea are naturally occurring diuretics as well, although some people might not like the jittery feeling caused by stimulants.
7) Tan, Tan, Tan...
Tanning helps to tighten up the skin, and drop excess fluid through sweating as well. Always use some sort of SPF level, and make sure to consume antioxidants (such as berries), on a frequent basis to fight off free radicals which can be carcinogenic (cancer causing).
8) Give Preparation-H A Try!
If you've followed all of my previous steps, but still find that you are retaining a little more fluid than you'd like, I've found that rubbing preparation-H on my stomach before doing cardio, and/or tanning helps me to drop excess fluid from stubborn areas.
Once again, this won't work if you aren't already lean, or if you are slacking on your diet and/or consuming too much sodium. But if all of the above are in control, then this might just be the little spark to ignite the rest of that water releasing fire. Think about it…this stuff is used to shrink fluid out of swollen hemhorroidal tissue. It's worked for me, but once again it takes time.
So I've outlined the steps you should take in order to achieve the look you desire, minus the water-retention. As always, the first step to achieving that balanced physique is a proper nutritional and training regiment. If those are in check, and you find that you are 1 or 2 steps away from dropping that last bit of water, then this should be all you need to get to where you desire.
Friday, May 1, 2009
5 WAYS TO GET LEAN WITH PROTEIN
There's no grand secret to success in bodybuilding. There's no miracle drug, no wondrous plant potion, no pie-in-the-sky, miraculous 1-2 sets to brutal throw-up failure, or any special chromosomal pattern. Instead - it really takes 3 things:
Disciplined correct and regular workouts, progressive in nature.
Proper sleep and mental attitude.
Great nutrition.
However, far too many hard-training individuals short-circuit themselves with inconsistent and improper protein intake, both in quantity and how they ingest their dietary nitrogen. Believe me, I have trained and observed thousands of athletes and bodybuilders, at varying levels and have seen major changes when better attention is paid to the dietary components for success. As I see it, there are 5 fundamental, critical steps to ensure muscle gains via optimum nutrition.
1. Ample Quality Proteins
Body size and overall activity must guide protein intakes. However, a good rule of thumb for the hungry young male bodybuilder is to eat a minimum of 1.5 grams of quality, complete proteins per pound of bodyweight. Some very hard-training individuals, lab measured to be in negative nitrogen balance over a 72-hour period at 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight, have overcome plateaus in muscle mass gains and strength by increasing their protein intake to 2 grams per pound of bodyweight!
Additionally, some individuals seem to have a high level of carbohydrate intolerance (meaning they can not produce effective insulin responses to metabolize the carbohydrates), and for these individuals. I actually recommend up to 2.25 grams per pound of bodyweight. In these cases, a hard training, lean, 200-lb. male would normally shoot for at least 300 grams of protein a day. If he has difficulty with carbohydrates, he should move his protein to as high as 450 grams per day.
Believe it or not, with all we know about medicines today, frequent small doses of protein are the most effective blood sugar balancing agent!
2. Eat Small And Nutrient Dense - But Often
Theoretically, you should ingest quality protein 5 to 7 times a day for a few reasons. As I alluded earlier, protein feedings all but stop yo-yo patterns in blood sugar levels. You will not experience the intense hunger pains, weakness, irritability, headaches, muscle weakness, sweats and dizziness some people get associated with low blood sugar.
Frequent feedings prevent overeating at any one time and can modulate the storing of more body fat. Also, digestion is much easier, and it keeps the flow of flood throughout the digestive tract at an even pace. Finally, frequent feedings elevate the metabolic rate so that your body fat levels remain lower!
3. Absorb, Absorb, Absorb!
As Dr. Eric Serrano, the developer of NitroMine, GlutaCene, Ultra Size and his new Alpha Omega M3, has emphatically pointed out (and I agree), while there are a lot of good commercial, high-protein supplements, a high intake of any of them does not mean much, unless you have maximum digestion and cell assimilation.
While most individuals do produce an abundance of friendly bacteria and supportive digestion enzymes beginning in the mouth and on though the entire gut, many individuals have a documented increase in nitrogen balance when they use varying, digestive enzymes. This could be due to several factors including prescription drugs that they may be taking for medical conditions, the acid-base balance of their foods and plain old genetics.
For optimal protein digestion before the intestine, you might try probiotics (I like Jarrow formulas), betaine HCL and pepsin, and even a few herbal preparations can be of assistance. These include gentian root, fennel seeds and cardamom. My weightlifting colleagues from China recommend something called Conodopsis root a.k.a. Tang Shen root to help utilize more protein.
4. The Miracle Of BCAA's
I strongly recommend that all of you use additional branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements (leucine, isoleucine, and valine), especially if your goal is to increase your lean body mass. I have learned several nutritional facts about the BCAA group from Eric Serrano, M.D., and Mauro Di Pasquale, M.D., and I have been using BCAAs with athletes who have difficulty gaining size.
It is not uncommon for individuals to gain 10 lbs. of muscle in 3-5 weeks of copious branched chain amino acid supplementation. Why does BCAA supplementation work so well? Consider:
Leucine is an important regulator of protein synthesis by reducing protein degradation in humans. Leucine spares glucose as fuel.
BCAAs promote protein synthesis.
BCAAs consumed during training raise growth hormone and insulin, hence the increased anti-catabolism and anabolism from BCAAs.
The BCAAs, unlike the other amino acids, can be used as a form of energy by muscle cells.
Carli et al. [1992] showed that supplementing with branched chain amino acids prior to a workout not only prevented a decrease in post-workout testosterone levels, but actually seemed to facilitate an increase in testosterone levels following exercise.
BCAA administration has a growth effect by enhancing the testosterone/cortisol ratio.
BCAA administration reduces exercise-induced increases in the muscle concentration of tyrosine and phenylalanine. This indicates that there is a decreased net rate of protein degradation during exercise.
Post workout soreness is reduced when you use BCAAs during training.
An Italian study on natural bodybuilders revealed that 0.2 g of BCAA per kg of bodyweight 30 minutes before workouts and 30 minutes after workouts led to greater increases in lean body mass, and strength gains in the bench press and squat.
BCAAs will decrease body fat (especially visceral fat, the fat that accumulates inside the abdomen and results in that beer gut look).
I recommend taking 0.44 gram of BCAAs per kilogram of bodyweight. If you weigh 90 kilograms (198 lbs.), that is about 40 grams of branched chain amino acids/day. If you are on a restricted budget, ingest 20 grams, or don't bother.
Over the years I have experimented with varying BCAA protocols - using them before, during and after workouts. My observations are that it is best to ingest them throughout the workout. This is as simple as taking 2-3 tablets between sets.
It was with this type of dosage, that we observed gains of up to 10 lbs. of lean body mass in just 3-4 weeks using this protocol!
5. Protein Rotation
Most bodybuilders know of only 5 solid protein sources: beef, non-fat milk, eggs, chicken and tuna. The problem with this is that when you consume the same protein foods over and over, you are limited by the weakest amino acid in any one protein. Some bodybuilders actually develop relative states of allergies to these repeated proteins. That's right! All athletes who train under my guidance at the Poliquin Performance Center are tested for food allergies - and it turns out that a lot of them have some relative state of allergic reaction to beef, eggs, chicken, and milk proteins.
Therefore, I rotate and substitute other protein foods such as shrimp, scallops, turkey etc. and use supplements to rebuild the integrity of the digestive track. I do not advise that my athletes eat the same protein source 2 days in a row. Usually, within 2 to 6 weeks, any allergy to a given protein is gone and the protein can be reintroduced. In my own case, I got rid of my signs of beef allergy in two weeks but it took 4 weeks to get rid of my egg allergies.
For anabolic purposes, I suggest you rotate your supplemental proteins over 3 days. For example:
Day 1 - Fish, liver or red beef proteins.Day 2 - Whey and casein proteins.Day 3 - Egg protein.
Athletes, who vary their protein intake more often than the norm, report increased energy levels and lessened requirements for sleep.
Disciplined correct and regular workouts, progressive in nature.
Proper sleep and mental attitude.
Great nutrition.
However, far too many hard-training individuals short-circuit themselves with inconsistent and improper protein intake, both in quantity and how they ingest their dietary nitrogen. Believe me, I have trained and observed thousands of athletes and bodybuilders, at varying levels and have seen major changes when better attention is paid to the dietary components for success. As I see it, there are 5 fundamental, critical steps to ensure muscle gains via optimum nutrition.
1. Ample Quality Proteins
Body size and overall activity must guide protein intakes. However, a good rule of thumb for the hungry young male bodybuilder is to eat a minimum of 1.5 grams of quality, complete proteins per pound of bodyweight. Some very hard-training individuals, lab measured to be in negative nitrogen balance over a 72-hour period at 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight, have overcome plateaus in muscle mass gains and strength by increasing their protein intake to 2 grams per pound of bodyweight!
Additionally, some individuals seem to have a high level of carbohydrate intolerance (meaning they can not produce effective insulin responses to metabolize the carbohydrates), and for these individuals. I actually recommend up to 2.25 grams per pound of bodyweight. In these cases, a hard training, lean, 200-lb. male would normally shoot for at least 300 grams of protein a day. If he has difficulty with carbohydrates, he should move his protein to as high as 450 grams per day.
Believe it or not, with all we know about medicines today, frequent small doses of protein are the most effective blood sugar balancing agent!
2. Eat Small And Nutrient Dense - But Often
Theoretically, you should ingest quality protein 5 to 7 times a day for a few reasons. As I alluded earlier, protein feedings all but stop yo-yo patterns in blood sugar levels. You will not experience the intense hunger pains, weakness, irritability, headaches, muscle weakness, sweats and dizziness some people get associated with low blood sugar.
Frequent feedings prevent overeating at any one time and can modulate the storing of more body fat. Also, digestion is much easier, and it keeps the flow of flood throughout the digestive tract at an even pace. Finally, frequent feedings elevate the metabolic rate so that your body fat levels remain lower!
3. Absorb, Absorb, Absorb!
As Dr. Eric Serrano, the developer of NitroMine, GlutaCene, Ultra Size and his new Alpha Omega M3, has emphatically pointed out (and I agree), while there are a lot of good commercial, high-protein supplements, a high intake of any of them does not mean much, unless you have maximum digestion and cell assimilation.
While most individuals do produce an abundance of friendly bacteria and supportive digestion enzymes beginning in the mouth and on though the entire gut, many individuals have a documented increase in nitrogen balance when they use varying, digestive enzymes. This could be due to several factors including prescription drugs that they may be taking for medical conditions, the acid-base balance of their foods and plain old genetics.
For optimal protein digestion before the intestine, you might try probiotics (I like Jarrow formulas), betaine HCL and pepsin, and even a few herbal preparations can be of assistance. These include gentian root, fennel seeds and cardamom. My weightlifting colleagues from China recommend something called Conodopsis root a.k.a. Tang Shen root to help utilize more protein.
4. The Miracle Of BCAA's
I strongly recommend that all of you use additional branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements (leucine, isoleucine, and valine), especially if your goal is to increase your lean body mass. I have learned several nutritional facts about the BCAA group from Eric Serrano, M.D., and Mauro Di Pasquale, M.D., and I have been using BCAAs with athletes who have difficulty gaining size.
It is not uncommon for individuals to gain 10 lbs. of muscle in 3-5 weeks of copious branched chain amino acid supplementation. Why does BCAA supplementation work so well? Consider:
Leucine is an important regulator of protein synthesis by reducing protein degradation in humans. Leucine spares glucose as fuel.
BCAAs promote protein synthesis.
BCAAs consumed during training raise growth hormone and insulin, hence the increased anti-catabolism and anabolism from BCAAs.
The BCAAs, unlike the other amino acids, can be used as a form of energy by muscle cells.
Carli et al. [1992] showed that supplementing with branched chain amino acids prior to a workout not only prevented a decrease in post-workout testosterone levels, but actually seemed to facilitate an increase in testosterone levels following exercise.
BCAA administration has a growth effect by enhancing the testosterone/cortisol ratio.
BCAA administration reduces exercise-induced increases in the muscle concentration of tyrosine and phenylalanine. This indicates that there is a decreased net rate of protein degradation during exercise.
Post workout soreness is reduced when you use BCAAs during training.
An Italian study on natural bodybuilders revealed that 0.2 g of BCAA per kg of bodyweight 30 minutes before workouts and 30 minutes after workouts led to greater increases in lean body mass, and strength gains in the bench press and squat.
BCAAs will decrease body fat (especially visceral fat, the fat that accumulates inside the abdomen and results in that beer gut look).
I recommend taking 0.44 gram of BCAAs per kilogram of bodyweight. If you weigh 90 kilograms (198 lbs.), that is about 40 grams of branched chain amino acids/day. If you are on a restricted budget, ingest 20 grams, or don't bother.
Over the years I have experimented with varying BCAA protocols - using them before, during and after workouts. My observations are that it is best to ingest them throughout the workout. This is as simple as taking 2-3 tablets between sets.
It was with this type of dosage, that we observed gains of up to 10 lbs. of lean body mass in just 3-4 weeks using this protocol!
5. Protein Rotation
Most bodybuilders know of only 5 solid protein sources: beef, non-fat milk, eggs, chicken and tuna. The problem with this is that when you consume the same protein foods over and over, you are limited by the weakest amino acid in any one protein. Some bodybuilders actually develop relative states of allergies to these repeated proteins. That's right! All athletes who train under my guidance at the Poliquin Performance Center are tested for food allergies - and it turns out that a lot of them have some relative state of allergic reaction to beef, eggs, chicken, and milk proteins.
Therefore, I rotate and substitute other protein foods such as shrimp, scallops, turkey etc. and use supplements to rebuild the integrity of the digestive track. I do not advise that my athletes eat the same protein source 2 days in a row. Usually, within 2 to 6 weeks, any allergy to a given protein is gone and the protein can be reintroduced. In my own case, I got rid of my signs of beef allergy in two weeks but it took 4 weeks to get rid of my egg allergies.
For anabolic purposes, I suggest you rotate your supplemental proteins over 3 days. For example:
Day 1 - Fish, liver or red beef proteins.Day 2 - Whey and casein proteins.Day 3 - Egg protein.
Athletes, who vary their protein intake more often than the norm, report increased energy levels and lessened requirements for sleep.
Friday, April 10, 2009
5 Steps To A Bigger Stronger Bench!
1. Exercise Your Rotator Cuffs:
The Rotator Cuffs are a vital muscle group to maximizing your bench, they are responsible for internal and external rotation of the humorous (arm bone) as well as flexion and extension of the arm and also abduction and adduction of the arm.
All these movements are intrinsically involved in the actions of the bench press. If we take a moment to think of this and look at the bench press from an analytical perspective - we start the movement with the shoulder joint in the flexed position and also in the adducted position - as we move through the eccentric phase of the exercise we transfer from those positions into the extended and abducted position.
Bear in mind that the muscles responsible for these actions are small in comparison to the prime movers of the bench press (pectorals major) and even the assisting muscles, triceps and anterior deltoid.
Exercising these rotator cuff muscles will aid in the stabilization of the shoulder joint as a whole, minimizing the risk of injury while also allowing you to control more weight during the performance of the exercise.
2. Build Stronger Triceps:
Strong triceps are also a necessity for having a strong bench; after all they are solely responsible for the "lock out" phase of the movement.
Increasing the strength of the triceps through similar movements is a great approach to take when trying to increase the amount of poundage being used.
Close-grip bench pressing increases the range of motion of the elbow joint during the "lock out" phase maximizing the number of motor units being utilized to complete the movement, in other words, transferring the emphasis from the pectoral muscles to the triceps. The increased strength gained from performing this exercise transfers perfectly into the traditional bench press because of the biomechanical similarities between the two movements.
3. Try Decline Bench Press:
Decline Bench Press (declination of approx 20 - 30 degrees) allows you to move a larger volume of weight than flat bench, this is due to the biomechanical changes in the range of motion, much like arching the back during the flat bench. This angular change recruits the triceps and deltoids to a greater extent, due to the degree of abduction of the humorous being decreased than that of the flat bench, a greater number of motor units are recruited during the decline movement.
4. Try Eccentric Flat Bench Press:
Eccentric Flat Bench Press are of major benefit to one's strength. A training partner is vital for this phase of your training program. For eccentric training to be truly effective one must have a training partner who is at the same level of strength and is also switched on to one's capabilities.
Here a heavier weight will be used than when performing the regular exercise. As you lower the bar without aid and under complete control, your training partner should be ready to take up to 75% of the load when going through the concentric or positive phase of the movement, this method helps the muscles to adapt to the increased load in a more progressive manner, and the strength increase transfers to the conventional bench press in a relatively short period of time.
Thanks to muscle memory the body realizes that it has already adapted to using such weight, when performing the eccentric or negative phase the muscles brace in anticipation of the load and as they extend they create an elastic like effect, the tension created allows one to press the increased weight under a greater level of control, in other words YOU HAVE GOTTEN STRONGER!!!!
5. Use Partial Repetitions:
Partial Repetitions are the final step in my training program - I stole this method and adapted it from the Weider Principle of 21's where 7 lower half reps are performed, then 7 upper half reps are performed followed by 7 complete reps.
However my adapted method is not as intensive repetition wise, rep ranges are kept between 6 to 8 and sets are performed completing the lower part of the repetition only, that is from the sternum to the midpoint of the movement.
When performing the upper part of the movement a block should be used, some like to use a couple of phone books taped together. The bar is lowered from the lock out position to the top of the block and then pressed, this is a complete repetition.
The Rotator Cuffs are a vital muscle group to maximizing your bench, they are responsible for internal and external rotation of the humorous (arm bone) as well as flexion and extension of the arm and also abduction and adduction of the arm.
All these movements are intrinsically involved in the actions of the bench press. If we take a moment to think of this and look at the bench press from an analytical perspective - we start the movement with the shoulder joint in the flexed position and also in the adducted position - as we move through the eccentric phase of the exercise we transfer from those positions into the extended and abducted position.
Bear in mind that the muscles responsible for these actions are small in comparison to the prime movers of the bench press (pectorals major) and even the assisting muscles, triceps and anterior deltoid.
Exercising these rotator cuff muscles will aid in the stabilization of the shoulder joint as a whole, minimizing the risk of injury while also allowing you to control more weight during the performance of the exercise.
2. Build Stronger Triceps:
Strong triceps are also a necessity for having a strong bench; after all they are solely responsible for the "lock out" phase of the movement.
Increasing the strength of the triceps through similar movements is a great approach to take when trying to increase the amount of poundage being used.
Close-grip bench pressing increases the range of motion of the elbow joint during the "lock out" phase maximizing the number of motor units being utilized to complete the movement, in other words, transferring the emphasis from the pectoral muscles to the triceps. The increased strength gained from performing this exercise transfers perfectly into the traditional bench press because of the biomechanical similarities between the two movements.
3. Try Decline Bench Press:
Decline Bench Press (declination of approx 20 - 30 degrees) allows you to move a larger volume of weight than flat bench, this is due to the biomechanical changes in the range of motion, much like arching the back during the flat bench. This angular change recruits the triceps and deltoids to a greater extent, due to the degree of abduction of the humorous being decreased than that of the flat bench, a greater number of motor units are recruited during the decline movement.
4. Try Eccentric Flat Bench Press:
Eccentric Flat Bench Press are of major benefit to one's strength. A training partner is vital for this phase of your training program. For eccentric training to be truly effective one must have a training partner who is at the same level of strength and is also switched on to one's capabilities.
Here a heavier weight will be used than when performing the regular exercise. As you lower the bar without aid and under complete control, your training partner should be ready to take up to 75% of the load when going through the concentric or positive phase of the movement, this method helps the muscles to adapt to the increased load in a more progressive manner, and the strength increase transfers to the conventional bench press in a relatively short period of time.
Thanks to muscle memory the body realizes that it has already adapted to using such weight, when performing the eccentric or negative phase the muscles brace in anticipation of the load and as they extend they create an elastic like effect, the tension created allows one to press the increased weight under a greater level of control, in other words YOU HAVE GOTTEN STRONGER!!!!
5. Use Partial Repetitions:
Partial Repetitions are the final step in my training program - I stole this method and adapted it from the Weider Principle of 21's where 7 lower half reps are performed, then 7 upper half reps are performed followed by 7 complete reps.
However my adapted method is not as intensive repetition wise, rep ranges are kept between 6 to 8 and sets are performed completing the lower part of the repetition only, that is from the sternum to the midpoint of the movement.
When performing the upper part of the movement a block should be used, some like to use a couple of phone books taped together. The bar is lowered from the lock out position to the top of the block and then pressed, this is a complete repetition.
Friday, April 3, 2009
دو کلید برای بازوها با آرمین شولز
دو کلید برای بازوها با آرمین شولز
یک بدنساز حرفه ای برای تمرین بازوی خود دو حرکت غیر عادی اجرا می کند که
شاید برای شما هم حرکتی ویژه باشد جهت تحریک بازوها به رشد
یک بدنساز حرفه ای برای تمرین بازوی خود دو حرکت غیر عادی اجرا می کند که
شاید برای شما هم حرکتی ویژه باشد جهت تحریک بازوها به رشد
با حرکت آرمین شولز آشنا شوید
آرمین شولز بدنساز حرفه ای آلمانی که لقب چکش را بعضی ها برایش انتخاب کرده اند
هرگز برای ساختن بازوهای خود با مشکلی مواجه نبوده است .فکر نمی کنم با قطری
در حدود 58 سانتیمتر او هیچ وقت برای ساختن بازوهایش مشکلی نداشته است . اما
این بدان معنا نیست که او در مورد بازو هیچ توصیه ای نمی تواند داشته باشد
وقتی تمرینات او را برسی می کنید متوجه دو حرکت غیر معمول می شوید که می توانند
برای جلوبازو و پشت بازوهای متوقف شده شوکی برای رشد جدید باشند
این دو حرکت عبارتند از
جلوبازو دمبل سینه به سینه میز شیبدار
با اجرای حرکت جلوبازو دمبل روی میز بالا سینه به خوبی آشنای دارید چرا که آرنولد هم
یکی از هواداران این حرکت بوده و تصاویر زیادی از او در حال اجرای این حرکت دیده اید
این حرکت از بخش پائین روی جلوبازوها فشار زیادی وارد می کند اما برای افرادی که
سرشانه های قدرتمندی دارند احتمالآ این حرکت نمی تواند برای جلوبازوهایشان خیلی موثر
واقع شود چرا که نقش شانه هایشان زیاد خواهد شد. برای فاکتور گرفتن این کمک نا خواسته
که از سوی شانه ها واصل می شود حرکت مذکور را در حالی اجرا کنید که برعکس روی
میز قرار گرفته اید یعنی باید سینه به سینه میز بنشینید.در این حالت جلوبازوها فشار لازم را
دریافت خواهند کرد. با این فرم دیگر نمی توانید حین حرکت یدن را حرکت اضافه ای بدهید
در نتیجه همه فشار متوجه عضلات جلوبازو خواهد شد
پارالل با میز پرس ,موازی
آرمین شولز هرگز پارالل را دوست نداشته چرا که همیشه در این حرکت عمده فشار به
سرشانه هایش وارد می شود. او همچنین یکی دیگر از حرکات اساسی برای پشت بازوها
به نام پرس سینه دست جمع را انجام نمی دهد چرا که بیشترین فشار را در عضلات سینه
خود حس می کند تا روی پشت بازوها . بنابراین او حرکت پارالل موازی که بین دو میز
پرس اجرا می شود را در برنامه های خود انجام می دهد.این حرکت برای شولز در
ساختن و حس کردن پشت بازوهایش مناسب است از این جهت شاید برای شما هم سازنده
باشد پس شانس خود را آزمایش کنید شاید کلید افزایش سایزتان در نواحی بازو با این
آرمین شولز بدنساز حرفه ای آلمانی که لقب چکش را بعضی ها برایش انتخاب کرده اند
هرگز برای ساختن بازوهای خود با مشکلی مواجه نبوده است .فکر نمی کنم با قطری
در حدود 58 سانتیمتر او هیچ وقت برای ساختن بازوهایش مشکلی نداشته است . اما
این بدان معنا نیست که او در مورد بازو هیچ توصیه ای نمی تواند داشته باشد
وقتی تمرینات او را برسی می کنید متوجه دو حرکت غیر معمول می شوید که می توانند
برای جلوبازو و پشت بازوهای متوقف شده شوکی برای رشد جدید باشند
این دو حرکت عبارتند از
جلوبازو دمبل سینه به سینه میز شیبدار
با اجرای حرکت جلوبازو دمبل روی میز بالا سینه به خوبی آشنای دارید چرا که آرنولد هم
یکی از هواداران این حرکت بوده و تصاویر زیادی از او در حال اجرای این حرکت دیده اید
این حرکت از بخش پائین روی جلوبازوها فشار زیادی وارد می کند اما برای افرادی که
سرشانه های قدرتمندی دارند احتمالآ این حرکت نمی تواند برای جلوبازوهایشان خیلی موثر
واقع شود چرا که نقش شانه هایشان زیاد خواهد شد. برای فاکتور گرفتن این کمک نا خواسته
که از سوی شانه ها واصل می شود حرکت مذکور را در حالی اجرا کنید که برعکس روی
میز قرار گرفته اید یعنی باید سینه به سینه میز بنشینید.در این حالت جلوبازوها فشار لازم را
دریافت خواهند کرد. با این فرم دیگر نمی توانید حین حرکت یدن را حرکت اضافه ای بدهید
در نتیجه همه فشار متوجه عضلات جلوبازو خواهد شد
پارالل با میز پرس ,موازی
آرمین شولز هرگز پارالل را دوست نداشته چرا که همیشه در این حرکت عمده فشار به
سرشانه هایش وارد می شود. او همچنین یکی دیگر از حرکات اساسی برای پشت بازوها
به نام پرس سینه دست جمع را انجام نمی دهد چرا که بیشترین فشار را در عضلات سینه
خود حس می کند تا روی پشت بازوها . بنابراین او حرکت پارالل موازی که بین دو میز
پرس اجرا می شود را در برنامه های خود انجام می دهد.این حرکت برای شولز در
ساختن و حس کردن پشت بازوهایش مناسب است از این جهت شاید برای شما هم سازنده
باشد پس شانس خود را آزمایش کنید شاید کلید افزایش سایزتان در نواحی بازو با این
دوحرکت به خوبی در قفل رشد چرخش کند
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sports Nutrition And Kids
Sports for kids are supposed to be fun right? It's how you played the game not if you won or lost. Today kids are told that no one remembers second place and that the must win! One saying that still sticks is "2nd place is nothing but the first loser". No wonder over the last 20 years there has been a significant rise in performance enhancing drug use amongst teens.
The Big Picture
In a world that only the winners count how can kids get the edge on the competition? The teenage years are a very tough time because kids want to be liked, respected and admired. Athletes many times are elevated too high for their accomplishments, but kids see it and they want to be in the spotlight! When I get a kid asking about product X,Y, or Z? I generally respond with lets look at the big picture. The big picture is how are you training, eating, sleeping, and generally dealing with stress? Obviously going over the entire big picture is beyond the scope of this article so I will focus upon the basics of nutrition only.
As a teenager your performance at your next game dependent upon your nutrition. How you recover between plays and events is directly effected by how you have eaten before and after the sporting event. Most teens eat about whatever they want, but by eating better you will have better performance.
If you are serious about performance you should be eating 5-7 meals daily. When eating to enhance performance you should concentrate on low fat protein, clean (starchy, fibrous and fruit) carbohydrates, and limiting fat intake.
Protein
When selecting protein foods, drop the heavier meats such as: sausage, bacon, hamburger, (unless it is 92% lean). These meats are very slow to digest because of the massive amounts of fat are naturally occurring in the meats. Choose meats such as lean steak, lean pork, chicken, turkey, fish, egg whites, lowfat milk products and high quality supplemental protein. I personally cut out my steak at least 3 days from an event. Protein should make up 20-30% of total calories.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates (carbs) are the bodies preferred fuel source. Most kids I know run out of gas quickly because they just don't eat enough. I eat a plethora of different carb sources; breads, pasta, rice, oatmeal, cream of wheat, yams, any fruit or vegetable. You should eat 3-5 fruits and veggies a day just for health reasons, the phytochemicals in them help prevent certain cancers! Carbs should make up 50-60% of total calories.
Fat
A certain amount of fat (10-20% of total calories) is needed in the diet just for basic health concerns such as; fat (cholesterol) donates the back bone for all steroid-hormones, fat is needed for joint health, and brain function just to name a few. To explain the needs for proper fat would require a whole article so I will tell you what you need. Most Americans do not get enough good fat so I suggest getting some flax seed oil or an "efa"(essential fatty acid) oil to make sure you are getting enough of the right fats.
I take 1-2 tablespoons of Total EFA (Health From The Sun) or a blend called Udo's Choice. I add this to my foods. Some may ask about the other fat-well by choosing leaner meats you will limit the other fat, but also grilling, baking, broiling or boiling your meats will also limit the unneeded fats.
Water
Water is the most over looked nutrient. Remember both protein and fat metabolism are dependent upon water. Without adequate water carbs can't be stored properly. Most doctors recommend 8-10 eight ounces glasses of water a day-this is too little for a hard training athlete. I would suggest at least 1 gallon a day if not more. During exercise/competition stick only with water. A few hours before the event or after you can drink stuff that contains electrolytes, but during the event stick with plan old "cold" water. The water will replenish fluid and the "cold" will keep the bodies core temperature down, which will help prevent overheating!
In a nutshell once a young athlete has a good working knowledge of the basics of the big picture then and only then will I even discuss the use of sports nutrition with them. There are a few that are a must and they are a multi vit/min and some type of essential fatty acid supplement. There are a few supplements that I will never suggest that they use and they are any type of pro-hormone, herbal testosterone booster, or thermogenic aid. Teen athletes don't need higher testosterone so anything that may enhance hormone levels is off limits.
Thermogenics not only aid in fat loss, but the also have the potential of increasing performance, but with the downside of dehydration. Any possible benefits of thermogenics are generally negated by the cramping that most of the time follows their use. When dealing with young athletes I stick with the use of MRP's, protein, carbohydrate type supplements, weight gainers bars and occasionally creatine and glutamine.
The bars and various types of protein powders come in handy between classes. Getting 5-7 meals a day takes timing and for kids in school it is tough to have time to eat a meal between classes, but it would be easy to eat a bar or slam a shake. In an ideal world they would just eat real food.
A weight gain drink could be used by those that need to put on weight in the off season or those that have a problem maintaining weight during the event season. If I have a kid that is Spartan like with his meals I will consider them using creatine and or glutamine. I generally don't let any of my young athletes use these two because they still have not rasped the whole of the big picture, but the ones that have with their parents and Doctors permission I will allow them to use them.
I know, I know but they are kids they shouldn't use these things! I see them as a better alternative to steroids, which like I said before are being used at an alarming rate!
The Big Picture
In a world that only the winners count how can kids get the edge on the competition? The teenage years are a very tough time because kids want to be liked, respected and admired. Athletes many times are elevated too high for their accomplishments, but kids see it and they want to be in the spotlight! When I get a kid asking about product X,Y, or Z? I generally respond with lets look at the big picture. The big picture is how are you training, eating, sleeping, and generally dealing with stress? Obviously going over the entire big picture is beyond the scope of this article so I will focus upon the basics of nutrition only.
As a teenager your performance at your next game dependent upon your nutrition. How you recover between plays and events is directly effected by how you have eaten before and after the sporting event. Most teens eat about whatever they want, but by eating better you will have better performance.
If you are serious about performance you should be eating 5-7 meals daily. When eating to enhance performance you should concentrate on low fat protein, clean (starchy, fibrous and fruit) carbohydrates, and limiting fat intake.
Protein
When selecting protein foods, drop the heavier meats such as: sausage, bacon, hamburger, (unless it is 92% lean). These meats are very slow to digest because of the massive amounts of fat are naturally occurring in the meats. Choose meats such as lean steak, lean pork, chicken, turkey, fish, egg whites, lowfat milk products and high quality supplemental protein. I personally cut out my steak at least 3 days from an event. Protein should make up 20-30% of total calories.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates (carbs) are the bodies preferred fuel source. Most kids I know run out of gas quickly because they just don't eat enough. I eat a plethora of different carb sources; breads, pasta, rice, oatmeal, cream of wheat, yams, any fruit or vegetable. You should eat 3-5 fruits and veggies a day just for health reasons, the phytochemicals in them help prevent certain cancers! Carbs should make up 50-60% of total calories.
Fat
A certain amount of fat (10-20% of total calories) is needed in the diet just for basic health concerns such as; fat (cholesterol) donates the back bone for all steroid-hormones, fat is needed for joint health, and brain function just to name a few. To explain the needs for proper fat would require a whole article so I will tell you what you need. Most Americans do not get enough good fat so I suggest getting some flax seed oil or an "efa"(essential fatty acid) oil to make sure you are getting enough of the right fats.
I take 1-2 tablespoons of Total EFA (Health From The Sun) or a blend called Udo's Choice. I add this to my foods. Some may ask about the other fat-well by choosing leaner meats you will limit the other fat, but also grilling, baking, broiling or boiling your meats will also limit the unneeded fats.
Water
Water is the most over looked nutrient. Remember both protein and fat metabolism are dependent upon water. Without adequate water carbs can't be stored properly. Most doctors recommend 8-10 eight ounces glasses of water a day-this is too little for a hard training athlete. I would suggest at least 1 gallon a day if not more. During exercise/competition stick only with water. A few hours before the event or after you can drink stuff that contains electrolytes, but during the event stick with plan old "cold" water. The water will replenish fluid and the "cold" will keep the bodies core temperature down, which will help prevent overheating!
In a nutshell once a young athlete has a good working knowledge of the basics of the big picture then and only then will I even discuss the use of sports nutrition with them. There are a few that are a must and they are a multi vit/min and some type of essential fatty acid supplement. There are a few supplements that I will never suggest that they use and they are any type of pro-hormone, herbal testosterone booster, or thermogenic aid. Teen athletes don't need higher testosterone so anything that may enhance hormone levels is off limits.
Thermogenics not only aid in fat loss, but the also have the potential of increasing performance, but with the downside of dehydration. Any possible benefits of thermogenics are generally negated by the cramping that most of the time follows their use. When dealing with young athletes I stick with the use of MRP's, protein, carbohydrate type supplements, weight gainers bars and occasionally creatine and glutamine.
The bars and various types of protein powders come in handy between classes. Getting 5-7 meals a day takes timing and for kids in school it is tough to have time to eat a meal between classes, but it would be easy to eat a bar or slam a shake. In an ideal world they would just eat real food.
A weight gain drink could be used by those that need to put on weight in the off season or those that have a problem maintaining weight during the event season. If I have a kid that is Spartan like with his meals I will consider them using creatine and or glutamine. I generally don't let any of my young athletes use these two because they still have not rasped the whole of the big picture, but the ones that have with their parents and Doctors permission I will allow them to use them.
I know, I know but they are kids they shouldn't use these things! I see them as a better alternative to steroids, which like I said before are being used at an alarming rate!
Friday, March 6, 2009
The role of hormones on muscle growth & fat loss
There are plenty of hormones in the human body that regulate all sorts of physical development and metabolic processes. Some of them contribute in an important way to regulate the anabolic and the catabolic processes. This post reviews the main hormones involved in muscle growth and fat loss, namely testosterone, growth hormone, insulin, glucagon and cortisol, which are of primary interest for the bodybuilder.We have already described insulin and glucagon role in a previous post dedicated to metabolism. Remember that these are antagonistic hormones responsible for regulating blood glucose levels. Insulin is an anabolic hormone which facilitates glucose and amino acid transport into muscle cells (stimulating protein synthesis and inhibiting protein breakdown), but also fatty acid transport into fat cells. Glucagon is a catabolic hormone which mobilizes glycogen stores to recuperate glucose levels as well as stimulates breakdown of body fat to be used for energy. Both hormones are controlled entirely by diet.Testosterone is a steroid hormone which is the responsible for the development of male sex characteristics (e.g. body and facial hair, deep voice, etc.) and the maturation of sperm and male sexual organs. In addition, testosterone is probably the most important hormone for building muscle through the promotion of protein biosynthesis. This accelerates muscle buildup and regeneration, and increases your recovery capacity after exercise, injuries, and illness. In addition, protein biosynthesis also stimulates the metabolism and promotes the burning of fat. You can stimulate your testosterone production through intense exercise and adequate sleep and nutrition. In addition, some bodybuilders use natural boosters when testosterone levels begin to drop due to age.Human growth hormone (GH), also known as somatotropin, is the primary hormone responsible for stimulating tissue repair, cell replacement, brain function, and enzyme production. GH is a highly anabolic hormone having profound effects on the growth of the skeleton and the muscles. You can naturally control your GH levels through exercise, rest and nutrition. First, intense and strenuous workouts stimulate GH release because these catabolic states require extra protein synthesis and in case of lack of energy, fat metabolization to make up for glycogen depletion. Second, most part of your total daily GH is released while sleeping, especially during REM phase. For this reason, having a good sleep is mandatory for building muscle. Finally, a high protein diet contributes also to raise your GH levels.Cortisol is a catabolic hormone which reduces cellular synthesis, and carries out the gluconeogenesis process (conversion of amino acids from muscle tissue to glucose for energy), causing in this way muscle breakdown. On the other side, cortisol is also involved in fat mobilization. Cortisol levels are highest early in the morning and during periods of high stress (i.e. after training). In order to control your cortisol levels, you should eat first thing in the morning and right after your workout (since insulin nullifies the effects of cortisol), limit your workouts to no more of 1 hour and have a good sleep. In addition, some amino acids (e.g. glutamine) and vitamins (e.g. vitamin C) help also to control cortisol levels.
Friday, February 20, 2009
پروتئین و اسیدهای آمینه
پروتین ها فراوانترین مولکولهای آلی در سلولهای جانوری بوده و در حدود 50% ویا بیشتر از
وزن خشک آنها را تشکیل می دهند.پروتئین ها در اثر هیدرولیز به واحدهای ساختمانی خود
یعنی اسیدهای آمینه تبدیل می شوند وهمین واحدهای ساختمانی تعین کننده ارزش غذایی پروتئین ها
می باشند.واحدهای ساختمانی پروتئین هر یک دارای قدرت خاصی بوده و بر حسب نیاز بدن مورد
مصرف قرار می گیرند.پروتئین برای ساخت و بازسازی عضلات- گلوبولهای قرمز- مو و دیگر
بافتهای بدن وبرای ساخت هورمون یک ماده اساسی و ضروری است.حدود 15% انرژی مورد
نیاز روزانه باید از غذاهای پرپروتئین مانند مرغ-ماهی-گوشت گاو و گوسفند و یا تخم مرغ تآمین
شود.بسیاری از ورزشکاران مقدار زیادی گوشت قرمز – مرغ -ماهی و یا دیگر پروتئین ها را
مصرف می کنند با این تصور که پروتئین به تنهایی عضله سازی می کنند با این وجود پروتئین
اضافی بر حجم نمی افزاید بلکه تمرینات درست وفشرده است که حجم عضلات را زیاد می کند.
نسبت نیاز روزانه بدن افراد از درصد پروتئین با یکدیگر متفاوت است.معمولآ مصرف پروتئین
بر اساس هر کیلوگرم وزن افراد معمولی 1 تا 2/1 گرم و در ورزشکاران 5/1 تا 2/2 گرم به
ازای هر کیلوگرم از وزن بدن می باشد که در دوران حجم این مقدار نیز حتی به 5/3 گرم هم
می رسد.پروتئین ها از ترکیبات آلی بنام اسیدهای آمینه تشکیل شده اند که این اسیدهای آمینه را
به دو گروه تقسیم می کنند:
1 ) اسیدهای آمینه ضروری
2 ) اسیدهای آمینه غیر ضروری
اسیدهای آمینه ضروری
اصطلاح اسیدهای آمینه ضروری بدین دلیل گفته می شود که بدن انسان قادر به ساختن آنها نیست
و حتمآ باید از طریق مواد غذایی به بدن برسند.این اسیدهای آمینه عبارتند از :آرژنین – والین –
لوسین – ایزولوسین – تریپتوفان – لیزین – تره اونین – متیونین و هسیتیدین
اسیدهای آمینه غیرضروری
این اسیدهای آمینه عبارتند از:گلیسین – آلانین – سرین – سیستین – آسپارتیک اسید – پرولئین
اگرچه تمام اسیدهای آمینه برای بدن و رشد عضلات لازم هستند ولی بعضی از انان در مقایسه
با بقیه از اهمیت خاصی برخوردارند.
برای مثال اسیدهای آمینه ارژنین و گلیسین در تحریک ترشح هورمون رشد در بدن تاثیر زیادی
دارند.از طرف دیگر گلیسین در کنترل افسردگی دارای اهمیت ویژه ای می باشد.اسید گلوتامیک
فراوانترین اسید آمینه موجود در عضلات است که نقش مهمی در تولید انرژی دارد و برای این
کار خود به ویتامین های ب شش و ب سه بیازمند است و به طور خلاصه:
آرژنین: آزاد کردن هورمون رشد از مغز – تحریک رشد عضله
گلیسین: آزاد کردن هورمون رشد از مغز – کمک به ساخت کراتین – کنترل افسردگی- جلوگیری
از تشکیل اسید لاکتیک ودیر خسته شدن ورزشکار
هیستیدین: جلوگیری از دردهای مفصلی – تحریک رشد نوزادان
اسید گلوتامیک:تقوت حافظه و تمرکز حواس – عضله سازی –تولید انرژی در عضله
سرین:بالا بردن قند خون – تولید انرژی در عضله –
آلانین : کمک به تنظیم قند خون – جلوگیری از تحلیل عضلات
سیستین : کاهش درد ناشی از التهاب – آنتی اکسیدان بافتهای بدن – کاهش التهاب ناشی از آسیب
لیزین : جلوگیری از تحلیل عضلات – بالا بردن توان فرد در ورزشهای استقامتی – کمک به ساخت کارنی تین
لوسین و ایزو لوسین : ضروری برای رشد ونمو عضلات بدن – دارای خاصیت آنابولیکی
تمرینات بدنی و فعالیتهای شدید باعث تحلیل پروتئینهای بافت عضلانی می شود و این کمبود پروتئین
در واقع زمینه را برای مصرف پروتئین درخواستی ایجاد می کند و مصرف پروتئین مورد نیاز بعد
از تمرین باعث افزایش حجم عضلات می گردد. پروتئین به عنوان منبع سازنده مواد برای ماهیچه های
بزرگ و قسمتهای ترکیب دهنده ماهیچه هاست و این گروه غذایی عاملی برای ترمیم بافتهای آسیب دیده
حاصل از تمرین و عامل تحریک کننده فاکتورهای رشد بدن و کاهش دهنده چربی های اضافه بدن
می باشد و این همان علتی است که باعث می شود و شده تا ورزشکاران از این گروه غذایی استفادهبیشتری ببرند.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
BODYBUILDING & ALCOHOL Do They Mix?
Alcohol (ethyl alcohol or ethanol), one of the worlds oldest, most widely used, drugs, has many effects on the body, some positive, but most negative. Historically, alcohol has been blamed for many of the worlds tragedies and problems, from the fall of the Roman Empire (What's Your Poison; 1997) (1) to the disbanding of many families. Ironically, it is made from relatively innocuous substances. Fermented grain, fruit juice and honey have been used to make alcohol for thousands of years. Alcohol's use spans nationalities and demographics as it serves to relax and provide a source of enjoyment. It has even been shown to have some salutary effects, such as a blood thinning action beneficial to the cardiovascular system, in addition to the aforementioned social and relaxation aspects.
However, the doses required in these instances are very minimal (1-2 glasses in most cases), and anything beyond this more than outweighs any potential benefits. This is partly because alcohol is classed as a central nervous system depressant, causing the brain to relax and inhibitions to decrease. Ones rational thought, emotional status, judgement, speech and muscle coordination are adversely affected through alcohol consumption. In extreme cases it can cause coma and death. Alcohol is specifically detrimental to bodybuilders, or any athlete, in that it can interfere with recovery, protein synthesis, hydration, motivation , and nutrient intake. Its financial cost is a burden for anyone who buys it.
A review of the research will show that alcohol is poisonous to every organ in the body and will adversely affect everyone who engages in its use to some Extent (1, 6, 7, 8). This article is not intended to dissuade people from using alcohol moderately, for recreational purposes, but will point out, from an athlete and a researchers point of view, its significant shortcomings. Cheers.
Alcohol's Effects Ethyl alcohol is a very small molecule which is soluble in lipid and water solutions. It is metabolized primarily by the liver, where an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase breaks the alcohol down into acetaldehyde, which is further broken down into acetate. Acetate is metabolized into carbon dioxide and water, which is excreted. Alcohol is absorbed rapidly from the small intestine (80%) and stomach (20%), before any other nutrients are digested. These properties ensure that alcohol gets into the blood stream and crosses the blood-brain barrier easily. Hence alcohol's instantaneous effect on thought processes. In fact, alcohol has a number of detrimental effects on the brain two of which, central to the scope of this article, will be discussed first. Alcohol, once it has crossed the blood-brain barrier, will inebriate the cerebral cortex (the part of the brain responsible for executive functions such as rational thought) and work its way down to the limbic system. It won't however affect the limbic system. This turns out to be a problem because the limbic system, being the most primitive part of the brain, then takes over the role of rational thought. This is problematic because the limbic system is entirely emotional, and one then begins to think with their emotions rather than the rational area of their brain (the cerebral cortex). A surprisingly small amount of alcohol will have an instant effect on ones ability to control their emotions, and their judgement as a result. A comparatively large amount of alcohol and one might become violent or completely out of control in other respects. As mentioned, alcohol is also a depressant. It depressant effect results from increased transmission of the GABA systems (2). In other words, alcohol consumption creates a demand for more GABA. GABA is a neurotransmitter responsible for restricting, or depressing the excitability of our brain. Glutamate is the Neurotransmitter that has the opposite effect as it is responsible for brain excitability and can be increased through the intake of various stimulants. It now gets a bit complex. The post synaptic receptors (the receptors of one brain cell that receive a message from another brain cell) for GABA, GABA-A, then become stimulated and respond by hyperpolarising the cell membrane and reducing the chance of an action potential occurring. An action potential is an electrical charge propagated through a neuron which causes that neuron to become stimulated. It gets worse. Over time, if a sufficient amount of alcohol is consumed, the GABA receptors become accustomed to a certain amount of alcohol and more is required to get the same depressing and intoxicating effect. In short, tolerance occurs. With more and more alcohol the potential for the GABA receptor to function improperly increases. This may result in hyperexcitability causing, anxiety, tremors, disorientation, and hallucinations when one is not drinking. This is alcohol at its destructive extreme.
In addition to alcohols destructive effects at the time of ingestion, it can also cause neural tissue death when its consumption is stopped. As explained, GABA (a inhibitory neurotransmitter) binds to its GABA-A receptor following alcohol intake. When this happens, a chloride channel is opened and extracellular chloride moves into a intracellular compartment on the receptor. The neuron is hyperpolarized as a result and excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) cannot occur, as mentioned. The main point here is that alcohol facilitates the ability of GABA to open chloride channels. With greater (chronic) use of alcohol the neuron may become entirely dependant on alcohol for its GABA function in the long term. However, at the time of chlorides uptake another process, this time involving the glutamine (excitatory neurotransmitter) receptors, causes further problems. The glutamate system is up-regulated with alcohol withdrawal and calcium-channel activity is stimulated. Calcium is released directly onto the post synaptic neuron (calcium influx) in large amounts and neural death occurs. This happens particularly after binge sessions that occur on a regular basis.
However, the doses required in these instances are very minimal (1-2 glasses in most cases), and anything beyond this more than outweighs any potential benefits. This is partly because alcohol is classed as a central nervous system depressant, causing the brain to relax and inhibitions to decrease. Ones rational thought, emotional status, judgement, speech and muscle coordination are adversely affected through alcohol consumption. In extreme cases it can cause coma and death. Alcohol is specifically detrimental to bodybuilders, or any athlete, in that it can interfere with recovery, protein synthesis, hydration, motivation , and nutrient intake. Its financial cost is a burden for anyone who buys it.
A review of the research will show that alcohol is poisonous to every organ in the body and will adversely affect everyone who engages in its use to some Extent (1, 6, 7, 8). This article is not intended to dissuade people from using alcohol moderately, for recreational purposes, but will point out, from an athlete and a researchers point of view, its significant shortcomings. Cheers.
Alcohol's Effects Ethyl alcohol is a very small molecule which is soluble in lipid and water solutions. It is metabolized primarily by the liver, where an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase breaks the alcohol down into acetaldehyde, which is further broken down into acetate. Acetate is metabolized into carbon dioxide and water, which is excreted. Alcohol is absorbed rapidly from the small intestine (80%) and stomach (20%), before any other nutrients are digested. These properties ensure that alcohol gets into the blood stream and crosses the blood-brain barrier easily. Hence alcohol's instantaneous effect on thought processes. In fact, alcohol has a number of detrimental effects on the brain two of which, central to the scope of this article, will be discussed first. Alcohol, once it has crossed the blood-brain barrier, will inebriate the cerebral cortex (the part of the brain responsible for executive functions such as rational thought) and work its way down to the limbic system. It won't however affect the limbic system. This turns out to be a problem because the limbic system, being the most primitive part of the brain, then takes over the role of rational thought. This is problematic because the limbic system is entirely emotional, and one then begins to think with their emotions rather than the rational area of their brain (the cerebral cortex). A surprisingly small amount of alcohol will have an instant effect on ones ability to control their emotions, and their judgement as a result. A comparatively large amount of alcohol and one might become violent or completely out of control in other respects. As mentioned, alcohol is also a depressant. It depressant effect results from increased transmission of the GABA systems (2). In other words, alcohol consumption creates a demand for more GABA. GABA is a neurotransmitter responsible for restricting, or depressing the excitability of our brain. Glutamate is the Neurotransmitter that has the opposite effect as it is responsible for brain excitability and can be increased through the intake of various stimulants. It now gets a bit complex. The post synaptic receptors (the receptors of one brain cell that receive a message from another brain cell) for GABA, GABA-A, then become stimulated and respond by hyperpolarising the cell membrane and reducing the chance of an action potential occurring. An action potential is an electrical charge propagated through a neuron which causes that neuron to become stimulated. It gets worse. Over time, if a sufficient amount of alcohol is consumed, the GABA receptors become accustomed to a certain amount of alcohol and more is required to get the same depressing and intoxicating effect. In short, tolerance occurs. With more and more alcohol the potential for the GABA receptor to function improperly increases. This may result in hyperexcitability causing, anxiety, tremors, disorientation, and hallucinations when one is not drinking. This is alcohol at its destructive extreme.
In addition to alcohols destructive effects at the time of ingestion, it can also cause neural tissue death when its consumption is stopped. As explained, GABA (a inhibitory neurotransmitter) binds to its GABA-A receptor following alcohol intake. When this happens, a chloride channel is opened and extracellular chloride moves into a intracellular compartment on the receptor. The neuron is hyperpolarized as a result and excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) cannot occur, as mentioned. The main point here is that alcohol facilitates the ability of GABA to open chloride channels. With greater (chronic) use of alcohol the neuron may become entirely dependant on alcohol for its GABA function in the long term. However, at the time of chlorides uptake another process, this time involving the glutamine (excitatory neurotransmitter) receptors, causes further problems. The glutamate system is up-regulated with alcohol withdrawal and calcium-channel activity is stimulated. Calcium is released directly onto the post synaptic neuron (calcium influx) in large amounts and neural death occurs. This happens particularly after binge sessions that occur on a regular basis.
Friday, January 30, 2009
DEFINING MOMENTS
DEFINING MOMENTS
Biceps tend to be an ego muscle.ask somebody to show his muscle and he’s most likely to flex his bi’s.But while big,full and shapely biceps are impressive,bodybuilders also have to be concerned with qualitySuch as biceps definition and separation . size alone isn’t enough visually , this involve three things:
a)a clean line of separation between the two biceps heads ; b)separation and definition between the biceps , brachialis , triceps and deltoids ; and c) being lean enough so the muscle detail is clearly visible.As for the training requirement to develop this sort of muscular separation and definition , once again ,
I believe there are three keys:
1)VERRY STRICT CURLS,such as cable, preacher and machine curls with which you achieve maximum isolation , full range of movement and continuous tension, Should be included in very
Workout . Do these with a relatively light weight so you can work through a full range of motion
for 12-15 strict reps with a pause at the top of the movement to elicit a full peak contraction .
2)TRAINING THE BICEPS FROM A VARIETY OF ANGELS.
To achieve this , I suggest performing not just standard barbell and dumbbell curls but also hammerCurls , incline curls , concentration curls and cable curls , where you curl the handle across your body.
3)SUPINATING THE WRIST.Besides curling and lifting the arm , the biceps helps supinate the
Wrist – that is,turn the thump up and out. If you flex your biceps and then supinate your wrist ,you’llSee get and additional contraction . then same thing happens when you supinate the wrist when curling
Which in turn leads to better definition and separation . dumbbell and cable curls lend themselves best To supinating curls . the aforementioned exercises should generally be performed towards the end of your biceps workout , after your heavier mass-and strength training moves .they can also be done in aseparate exercise session if your programme alternates heavy and light workout to emphasise both Size and detail in the biceps.
PEAK PLAN
EXERCISE SETS REPS
Barbell curl 4 6-10
EZ-bar 3 12-15
Dumbbell hammer curl 3 12
Cable concentration 4 10
Biceps tend to be an ego muscle.ask somebody to show his muscle and he’s most likely to flex his bi’s.But while big,full and shapely biceps are impressive,bodybuilders also have to be concerned with qualitySuch as biceps definition and separation . size alone isn’t enough visually , this involve three things:
a)a clean line of separation between the two biceps heads ; b)separation and definition between the biceps , brachialis , triceps and deltoids ; and c) being lean enough so the muscle detail is clearly visible.As for the training requirement to develop this sort of muscular separation and definition , once again ,
I believe there are three keys:
1)VERRY STRICT CURLS,such as cable, preacher and machine curls with which you achieve maximum isolation , full range of movement and continuous tension, Should be included in very
Workout . Do these with a relatively light weight so you can work through a full range of motion
for 12-15 strict reps with a pause at the top of the movement to elicit a full peak contraction .
2)TRAINING THE BICEPS FROM A VARIETY OF ANGELS.
To achieve this , I suggest performing not just standard barbell and dumbbell curls but also hammerCurls , incline curls , concentration curls and cable curls , where you curl the handle across your body.
3)SUPINATING THE WRIST.Besides curling and lifting the arm , the biceps helps supinate the
Wrist – that is,turn the thump up and out. If you flex your biceps and then supinate your wrist ,you’llSee get and additional contraction . then same thing happens when you supinate the wrist when curling
Which in turn leads to better definition and separation . dumbbell and cable curls lend themselves best To supinating curls . the aforementioned exercises should generally be performed towards the end of your biceps workout , after your heavier mass-and strength training moves .they can also be done in aseparate exercise session if your programme alternates heavy and light workout to emphasise both Size and detail in the biceps.
PEAK PLAN
EXERCISE SETS REPS
Barbell curl 4 6-10
EZ-bar 3 12-15
Dumbbell hammer curl 3 12
Cable concentration 4 10
Monday, January 12, 2009
نکات اولیه ومهم در بدنسازی
آیا بدن سازی با وزنه برای شما مناسب است؟
میزان عضلانی بودن بدن تا حدی که جذاب به نظر برسد، بسته به نظر اشخاص مختلف و همچنین بسته به جنس افراد متفاوت است. بیشتر مردان علاقمند به داشتن عضلات درشت و برآمده هستند درحالی که زنان بیشتر به هماهنگی و تناسب عضلات توجه نشان میدهند. با وجود اینکه بدن سازی دارای مزایای فراوانی است، اما مهمترین نکته این است که این ورزش چگونه بر شکل خاص بدن هر فرد تاثیر میگذارد. دانستن اینکه بدن ما چگونه به یک برنامه ورزشی عکس العمل نشان میدهد میتواند اعتقاد به بسیاری از افسانه های بی اساس مربوط به بدن سازی و وزنه یرداری را از بین ببرد و شما را کمک کند که با واقع بینی، برنامه ای را دنبال کنید که پاسخگوی نیازهای بدن "شما" باشد. بسیاری از خانمها ورزش با وزنه را معادل عضلانی و مردانه شدن بدن میدانند. بسیار مهم است که بدانیم بدن زنانه، به دلیل تفاوتهای هورمونی، نسبت به تمرینهای همراه با وزنه به شکل کاملا متفاوتی عکس العمل نشان میدهد. هورمون تستوسترون در شکل گیری و رشد عضلات نقش بسیار مهمی ایفا میکند و میزان بسیار پایین آن در بدن زنان، عضلات را به سوی برجسته شدن سوق نمیدهد. متاسفانه، داروهای تقویتی غیرقانونی، با وجود آسیبی که بدن میرسانند توسط عده ای از ورزشکاران زیبایی اندام (مرد یا زن) مورد استفاده قرار میگیرد. این داروها به قیمت برهم زدن شرایط هورمونی، موجب عضله سازی میشوند. از خطرات مصرف این داروها که anabolic androgenic steroids نام دارند، میتوان از تحلیل بیضه در مردان، ایجاد خصوصیات مردانه در زنان، آکنه (جوشهای عمیق و چرکی)، تخریب کبد و اختلال شخصیت نام برد. کسانی که به ورزش با وزنه میپردازند باید بدانند که عکس العمل بدن آنان نسبت به تمرینهای وزنه برداری نمیتواند مانند کسی باشد که داروی آنابولیک مصرف میکند. هر موجودی دارای مشخصات فیزیکی خاصی است که بر روی چگونگی فرم گیری عضلات تاثیر مستقیم دارند
بدون مشورت مربی و متخصص نباید اقدام به انجام تمرینات ورزشی با وزنه نمود
اصول بدن سازی با وزنه اصل اضافه باری در ورزش میگوید که اندازه، قدرت و استقامت عضله تنها زمانی افزایش مییابد که فشار (ناشی از وزن یا تکرار حرکت) بیشتر از حد عادی باشد. اصل مقاومت فزاینده ثابت میکند که با افزایش قدرت و استقامت عضله، فشار (ناشی از وزنه مورد استفاده) باید در فواصل معین افزایش یابد تا باز هم تغییرات در ماهیچه ایجاد شود و به مرحله مطلوب برسد
اصل اختصاصی بودن نشان میدهد که پیشرفت در ساخت و ساز عضله کاملا برای هر عضله خاص، متفاوت است. بدن سازی با وزنه برای انجام ورزشهای خاص بسیار مطلوب است زیرا عضلات حرکتی آن ورزش به خصوص را تقویت کرده و به ورزشکار امکان میدهد که در عرصه ورزش حرفه ای خود چابکتر و قویتر عمل کند. یک اخطارتمرین با وزنه، در صورت نادرست انجام شدن یا بدون حضور مربی، میتواند بسیار خطرناک باشد. اشخاصی که مبتلا به فشار خون بالا، مشکلات پشت و کمر و یا فتق هستند باید قبل از هرگونه حرکت بدنسازی با پزشک متخصص مشورت کنند
تمرین با وزنه، در صورت نادرست انجام شدن یا بدون حضور مربی، میتواند بسیار خطرناک باشد. اشخاصی که مبتلا به فشار خون بالا، مشکلات پشت و کمر و یا فتق هستند باید قبل از هرگونه حرکت بدنسازی با پزشک متخصص مشورت کنند
شروع تمرینات:برای یک تازه کار، ورود به یک سالن ورزش پر از افرادی با بدنهای ورزیده و محکم بسیار مرعوب کننده است. به همین دلیل داشتن طرز فکر واقع گرایانه و اعتماد به نفس برای آغاز کار و رسیدن به نتایج مطلوب بسیار ضروری است. بسیار مهم است که بدانیم هر کسی در مقطعی از زندگی خود تازه کار بوده است. بسیاری از هم باشگاهی های شما ورود تان را خوشامد خواهند گفت و در طی تمرینها میتوانند بسیار کمک کنند. مهم این است که حتا کوچکترین سوال خود را از مربی بپرسید و در صورت وجود، در کلاس توجیهی باشگاه شرکت کنید
بدون مشورت مربی و متخصص نباید اقدام به انجام تمرینات ورزشی با وزنه نمود
اصول بدن سازی با وزنه اصل اضافه باری در ورزش میگوید که اندازه، قدرت و استقامت عضله تنها زمانی افزایش مییابد که فشار (ناشی از وزن یا تکرار حرکت) بیشتر از حد عادی باشد. اصل مقاومت فزاینده ثابت میکند که با افزایش قدرت و استقامت عضله، فشار (ناشی از وزنه مورد استفاده) باید در فواصل معین افزایش یابد تا باز هم تغییرات در ماهیچه ایجاد شود و به مرحله مطلوب برسد
اصل اختصاصی بودن نشان میدهد که پیشرفت در ساخت و ساز عضله کاملا برای هر عضله خاص، متفاوت است. بدن سازی با وزنه برای انجام ورزشهای خاص بسیار مطلوب است زیرا عضلات حرکتی آن ورزش به خصوص را تقویت کرده و به ورزشکار امکان میدهد که در عرصه ورزش حرفه ای خود چابکتر و قویتر عمل کند. یک اخطارتمرین با وزنه، در صورت نادرست انجام شدن یا بدون حضور مربی، میتواند بسیار خطرناک باشد. اشخاصی که مبتلا به فشار خون بالا، مشکلات پشت و کمر و یا فتق هستند باید قبل از هرگونه حرکت بدنسازی با پزشک متخصص مشورت کنند
تمرین با وزنه، در صورت نادرست انجام شدن یا بدون حضور مربی، میتواند بسیار خطرناک باشد. اشخاصی که مبتلا به فشار خون بالا، مشکلات پشت و کمر و یا فتق هستند باید قبل از هرگونه حرکت بدنسازی با پزشک متخصص مشورت کنند
شروع تمرینات:برای یک تازه کار، ورود به یک سالن ورزش پر از افرادی با بدنهای ورزیده و محکم بسیار مرعوب کننده است. به همین دلیل داشتن طرز فکر واقع گرایانه و اعتماد به نفس برای آغاز کار و رسیدن به نتایج مطلوب بسیار ضروری است. بسیار مهم است که بدانیم هر کسی در مقطعی از زندگی خود تازه کار بوده است. بسیاری از هم باشگاهی های شما ورود تان را خوشامد خواهند گفت و در طی تمرینها میتوانند بسیار کمک کنند. مهم این است که حتا کوچکترین سوال خود را از مربی بپرسید و در صورت وجود، در کلاس توجیهی باشگاه شرکت کنید
ست ها و حرکات تکرار شونده
تکرارها در واقع انجام مکرر مجموعه ای از حرکات مشخص هستند، که در یک "ست" به تعداد مشخصی انجام میگیرند. برای مثال انجام 3 ست 10 تایی با پرس روی نیمکت، به این معنا است که یک ست 10 تایی پرس سینه انجام میدهیم، ده شماره استراحت میکنیم و به همین ترتیب حرکت را به پایان میبریم. به محض اینکه روش تمرین را فرا گرفتید، باید وزنه ای را پیدا کنید که بتوانید با آن 1تا 2 ست 8 تا 12 تایی را انجام دهید، با پیشرفت در تمرین میتوانید وزنه ها را افزایش دهید
گرم کردن و خنک شدن حرکات نرمشی برای گرم کردن بدن، قبل از آغاز هر جلسه تمرین لازم است. حرکات مناسب برای گرم کردن بدن شامل 5 دقیقه حرکات هوازی (ایروبیک) ملایم مانند راه رفتن و رکاب زدن است که با حرکات کششی مناسب برای تمام عضلات بدن همراه باشد. به علاوه یک سری حرکات اولیه با وزنه های سبک هم باید قبل از هر تمرین انجام شود. خنک کردن شامل انجام حرکات کششی برای تمام عضلات اصلی بدن است. انجام حرکات کششی بعد از وزنه برداری، به انعطاف پذیری ماهیچه کمک میکند و از آسیب دیدگی آنها جلوگیری میکند. استراحت در بین ست هابه طور کلی، یک دقیقه استراحت بین هر دو ست، برای تازه کارها توصیه میشود. بعد از مدتی، زمان استراحت بسته به هدفی که برای قدرت عضلانی و استقامت آن مشخص کرده اید، قابل تغییر خواهد بود. ترتیب تمرینهاتمرینهایی که با چند گروه عضلات کار میکنند باید قبل از تمریناتی که مختص یک گروه عضله هستند انجام شوند. برای مثال پرس روی نیمکت باید قبل از تمرین جلو بازو انجام شود. قدرت در مقابل استقامتهنگامی که تکرار کم باشد (3 تا 5 مرتبه در هر ست)، بیشتر بر روی قدرت عضله کار میکنیم اما با بالا رفتن تکرار حرکات در هر ست (15 تا 20 مرتبه)، استقامت را افزایش میدهیم. هرچند برای بیشتر افراد، انجام تمریناتی با وزنه ای که برای 8 تا 12 تکرار در هر ست مناسب باشد، فرم ایده آل تمرین به شمار می آید زیرا هم قدرت و هم استقامت عضله را تقویت میکند. برای رسیدن به بیشترین حد قدرت عضلانی، هر ست باید با وزنه ای انجام شود که سنگینی آن به حدی باشد که عضله را خسته کند، به این معنا که انجام حتا یک حرکت دیگر برای شخص غیر ممکن باشد
فاصله بین جلسات تمرین چقدر باشد؟
فاصله بین جلسات تمرین چقدر باشد؟
برای اکثر افراد، 2 تا 3 جلسه بدن سازی با وزنه کافی است و یک روز استراحت بین جلسات برای باز یافتن نیروی از دست رفته لازم است
در روزهای تمرین، تمام عضلات اصلی بدن باید به کار گرفته شوند. در هر مجموعه حرکتی بهتر است گروههای متفاوتی از عضلات را به کار گرفت. بدن سازان پیشرفته تر یا زیبایی اندام کاران، در طول هفته 4 تا 6 جلسه به تمرین میپردازند و هر روز را به ورزش دادن یک گروه خاص عضلات اختصاص میدهند. چنین برنامه ای به یک مربی و برنامه ریز واجد شرایط و حرفه ای نیاز دارد. تمرینهای دایره ای یا متصل
در روزهای تمرین، تمام عضلات اصلی بدن باید به کار گرفته شوند. در هر مجموعه حرکتی بهتر است گروههای متفاوتی از عضلات را به کار گرفت. بدن سازان پیشرفته تر یا زیبایی اندام کاران، در طول هفته 4 تا 6 جلسه به تمرین میپردازند و هر روز را به ورزش دادن یک گروه خاص عضلات اختصاص میدهند. چنین برنامه ای به یک مربی و برنامه ریز واجد شرایط و حرفه ای نیاز دارد. تمرینهای دایره ای یا متصل
تمرینهای دایره ای به معنای انجام یک سری از حرکات استقامت است که با فاصله یک استراحت کوتاه، پشت سر هم انجام میشود. مزیت بزرگ این تمرینها، پرورش توانایی در انجام حرکات متعدد و مختلف در یک زمان کوتاه است. تمرین دایره ای میتواند هم قدرت و هم استقامت عضلات را افزایش دهد، البته هنگامی که زمان استراحت بین حرکات بیشتر شود، قدرت عضلات بیشتر تقویت میشود. اگر "دایره" حرکات، فقط به انجام حرکات استقامتی محدود شود، چندان منفعتی برای تقویت قلب و عروق نخواهد داشت. در مقابل، بسیاری از تمرینات دایره ای که ترکیبی از ورزشهای استقامتی و دستگاههای ایروبیک (دوچرخه ثابت، پاروزنی و...) باشند میتواند تاثیر بسیار مثبتی بر قلب و عروق داشته باشد
افزایش وزن در حین تمرینهای استقامت
بسیاری از ورزشکاران شرکت کننده در رقابتهای ورزشی برای افزایش حجم بدن خود به بدن سازی با وزنه روی می آورند. البته کسانی هم هستند که با وجود تمرینهای سخت و منظم، به خاطر رژیم غذایی نادرست و یا ساختار ژنتیکی خود، قادر به افزایش حجم و وزن بدن خود نیستند. باید توجه کنید که افزایش وزن هم مانند کم کردن آن به صبر و پشتکار نیاز دارد. از آنجایی که مقدار زیادی از ماهیچه از آب تشکیل شده است، برای افزودن نیم کیلو به وزن آن، تنها به 2500 کالری بیشتر نیاز داریم در حالی که برای ساخته شدن نیم کیلو چربی، بدن به 3500 کالری اضافه نیاز دارد. بیشتر کالری مازادی که برای اضافه شدن وزن لازم است از طریق مصرف مواد دارای کربوهیدرات مانند نان، انواع برشتوک، سیب زمینی و پاستا (انواع خمیرهای تخم مرغی) به بدن میرسد. نیاز به پروتئین اضافه، توسط مجلات زیبایی اندام و باشگاههای سراسر جهان بسیار تبلیغ شده است. بدن در هنگام تمرینهای ورزشی نسبت به زمانی که بی تحرک است، به پروتئین بیشتری نیاز دارد، اما با توجه به نوع رژیمهای غذایی رایج، بیشتر افراد نباید نگران کمبود پروتئین در بدن خود باشند. به طور کلی، خوردن غذاها و میان وعده هایی که شامل تمام انواع مواد غذایی باشد، بدن را از کلیه مواد لازم از جمله پروتئین، تامین میکند. پودرهای کمک غذایی پروتئینه یا قرصهای آمینو اسید، در اکثر مواقع اضافه بر حد نیاز بوده و تنها اتلاف پول هستند. یک قانون کلی و بسیار قابل اجرا برای افزایش وزن این است که برای افزودن 500 تا 750 گرم در هفته، 300 تا 500 کالری به میزان کالری دریافتی روزانه خود اضافه کنید
Friday, January 9, 2009
1-Optimum 100% Whey Protein
Optimum 100% Whey is still number one, and sales are climbing! Whey protein has been proven to be the best type of protein for building quality muscle fast. Optimum did us all a favor by making a whey protein product that tastes awesome, actually mixes easily, and is cheap enough for everybody to afford.
2-BSN NO-Xplode
BSN's blockbuster product won our Muscle Builder Of The Year award for 2006, 2007 and 2008! This real quote from a visitor pretty much sums it up: "No-Xplode is the best NO booster I've ver taken. It gives me vein popping pumps while increasing strength!" You will be shocked at how fast this product works!
3-CytoSport Muscle Milk
Muscle Milk helps grows muscle faster than gainers, whey or even creatine. This increased muscle growth is possible because Muscle Milk is the first product patterned after Nature's ultimate anabolic food - human mother's milk. Oh, and did I mention that it tastes BETTER than a milkshake? I'm going to try the Cake Batter flavor next!
4-Universal Animal Pak
If you work out, you MUST take a multi-vitamin product. You simply can not be sure that you are getting all of the nutrients you need just from your diet. Also, you can't just depend on a normal grocery store multi since those were created for the average couch potato. Luckily, Universal Animal Pak was formulated to be EXACTLY what you need. Don't limit your results!
5-BSN Syntha-6
Syntha-6 is a GREAT tasting, low carb protein powder by the gurus behind NO-Xplode and Nitrix. This ain't your little brother's low quality protein since it is a premium blend with the type of protein that is released slowly in your body, keeping you in a muscle-building, anabolic state for a longer period of time. This way you can put on muscle faster and continue to put your little brother in a headlock whenever he breaks in on you making out with your girlfriend.
6-Optimum 100% Casein Protein
Still only taking whey protein? Here's your sign. Whey protein is still the champ for post-workout fast-release protein, but more bodybuilders are taking slow-absorbing casein before bed and throughout the day since it can cause a 'timed release' trickle of amino acids into the bloodstream which can last for as many as 7 full hours. Get on it and get big quick!
7-Nutrex Lipo 6
Nutrex Lipo-6 is the most popular fat burner! Never before has a fat-loss formula offered such an advanced method of delivering powerful fat-burning compounds, quickly, effectively and safely. Lose fat fast! People ask us all the time about which fat burner they should take to transform their body. Stop wasting time with searching around and get Lipo-6!
8-MuscleTech Hydroxycut Hardcore
When the goal is to get completely diced, everybody can use a little help. This is where Hydroxycut Hardcore America's #1 hardcore fat burner plays a starring role. Team MuscleTech researchers definitely went the distance when formulating Hydroxycut Hardcore. This amazing product is backed by more than 10 years of research and has been scientifically engineered to get you hardcore results!
9-BSN CellMass
"Dude, plain creatine is the best, dude. Like totally." That is like so 1996! Creatine is still the best and safest mass builder of all time, but new technology has recently come out that makes it even better! BSN CellMass is Esterified Creatine. Your muscles will literally feel like they are exploding! DUDE!
Optimum 100% Whey is still number one, and sales are climbing! Whey protein has been proven to be the best type of protein for building quality muscle fast. Optimum did us all a favor by making a whey protein product that tastes awesome, actually mixes easily, and is cheap enough for everybody to afford.
2-BSN NO-Xplode
BSN's blockbuster product won our Muscle Builder Of The Year award for 2006, 2007 and 2008! This real quote from a visitor pretty much sums it up: "No-Xplode is the best NO booster I've ver taken. It gives me vein popping pumps while increasing strength!" You will be shocked at how fast this product works!
3-CytoSport Muscle Milk
Muscle Milk helps grows muscle faster than gainers, whey or even creatine. This increased muscle growth is possible because Muscle Milk is the first product patterned after Nature's ultimate anabolic food - human mother's milk. Oh, and did I mention that it tastes BETTER than a milkshake? I'm going to try the Cake Batter flavor next!
4-Universal Animal Pak
If you work out, you MUST take a multi-vitamin product. You simply can not be sure that you are getting all of the nutrients you need just from your diet. Also, you can't just depend on a normal grocery store multi since those were created for the average couch potato. Luckily, Universal Animal Pak was formulated to be EXACTLY what you need. Don't limit your results!
5-BSN Syntha-6
Syntha-6 is a GREAT tasting, low carb protein powder by the gurus behind NO-Xplode and Nitrix. This ain't your little brother's low quality protein since it is a premium blend with the type of protein that is released slowly in your body, keeping you in a muscle-building, anabolic state for a longer period of time. This way you can put on muscle faster and continue to put your little brother in a headlock whenever he breaks in on you making out with your girlfriend.
6-Optimum 100% Casein Protein
Still only taking whey protein? Here's your sign. Whey protein is still the champ for post-workout fast-release protein, but more bodybuilders are taking slow-absorbing casein before bed and throughout the day since it can cause a 'timed release' trickle of amino acids into the bloodstream which can last for as many as 7 full hours. Get on it and get big quick!
7-Nutrex Lipo 6
Nutrex Lipo-6 is the most popular fat burner! Never before has a fat-loss formula offered such an advanced method of delivering powerful fat-burning compounds, quickly, effectively and safely. Lose fat fast! People ask us all the time about which fat burner they should take to transform their body. Stop wasting time with searching around and get Lipo-6!
8-MuscleTech Hydroxycut Hardcore
When the goal is to get completely diced, everybody can use a little help. This is where Hydroxycut Hardcore America's #1 hardcore fat burner plays a starring role. Team MuscleTech researchers definitely went the distance when formulating Hydroxycut Hardcore. This amazing product is backed by more than 10 years of research and has been scientifically engineered to get you hardcore results!
9-BSN CellMass
"Dude, plain creatine is the best, dude. Like totally." That is like so 1996! Creatine is still the best and safest mass builder of all time, but new technology has recently come out that makes it even better! BSN CellMass is Esterified Creatine. Your muscles will literally feel like they are exploding! DUDE!
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