One of the easiest ways to determine which gym is best for your purposes is to see who the people are who frequent that gym. If a gym seems to have only female members going in and out, then if you’re a guy then the gym isn’t probably for you. And if you’re looking to build bigger muscles, then you may want to go to Gold’s Gym, since it was a favorite gym of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
But wait a minute! Didn’t Arnold use anabolic steroids? Yes, he did in fact admit to the use of anabolic steroids back in the 1970s. Does that mean you should use anabolic steroids as well? No, it doesn’t. Essentially, using anabolic steroids for muscle-building is too unsafe. It just comes with too many risks to your health. This is why its use is banned in just about every sport in the first place.
So, in that case, how should you go about building bigger muscles? Here are some practical tips on how to go about it safely and effectively:
Start with Learning
First of all, you need to know about what you’re going to do. That means doing some research on your body’s muscle groups. Then you should find the appropriate exercises that focus on your more prominent muscle groups, such as your arms, chest, abs, and legs. You will need to lift weights and do some other types of resistance training.
If you have the budget, then you should consult a certified personal trainer to help you out. A trainer is worth the price they command, since they can filter out some of the nonsense you might find online. They can help you with the following:
- Making realistic goals. You can’t turn from a 98-pound weakling into Conan the Barbarian overnight, or even in just a few months. You have to have more realistic expectations.
- Customizing a proper muscle–building workout. That means you and the trainer can come up with a schedule of workouts, identifying what kind of exercises you need to perform to work on your major muscle groups.
- Working out safely. The trainer can guide you through each step, starting with demonstrating how to do the right exercises effectively and safely. You’ll then learn the right form and movements for the exercises. In addition, you’ll know how to properly use the workout machines as well.
- Motivation. Some of the best trainers know how to goad you into doing your best each time, while discouraging you from quitting.
Trainers can monitor your progress and make necessary changes to your workout depending on your current performance level. That way, you can safely make your routine more challenging without overworking your muscles.
Also, make sure you track your progress, even if you don’t have a personal trainer. You can use fitness apps for this, so you can make certain that you’re increasing the weights you’re lifting, the reps, and the number of sets on a consistent basis.
Get on the Right Diet
“Bulking up” in this case means building bigger muscles, and not gaining a lot of excess fat. You’ll want to avoid unhealthy foods that contain “bad” types of fat and simple carbs. Instead, you’ll want to load up on foods that contain the following:
- Protein
- Healthy fats
- Omega-3s
- Amino acids
- Fiber
So, what should you eat? Try to make sure your diet includes plenty of the following foods:
- Lean fish such as salmon and tuna
- Eggs
- Quinoa
- Greek yogurt
- Tofu
- Peanuts
- Chickpeas
Finally, you may want to try protein supplements. It’s not only cheaper to obtain extra protein this way (instead of eating steak all the time), but you get pure protein instead of foods that contain other stuff that may be bad for you, such as saturated fats and too much sodium.
Creatine may also be a good choice, as it’s popular among many athletes. It boosts the strength of your muscles, enabling you to improve your workout performance. It’s actually quite safe, and it’s also absolutely legal.
Try all these steps, and you may just succeed in building bigger muscles eventually.