So I guess the general theme this week is "hormones". So the next topic that we're going to cover was sent in by Jason and this is about steroid muscle vs natural muscle. This is a tricky topic because most celebrities, athletes and bodybuilders don't admit or disclose the drugs they use so it's hard to match a look with the drugs it took to get that look. In other words, … [Read more...] about Steroid Muscle vs Natural Muscle
Muscle Building
Mind Muscle Connection for Full Muscle Development
Working out with weights can be somewhat uncomfortable. It requires physical exertion as well as mental exertion. At some point during a good set the muscles will likely burn or become sore to some degree. This burn or soreness can persist even after you put the weights down. It's hard to describe to people who have not done it, and I can see how non weight trainers cannot … [Read more...] about Mind Muscle Connection for Full Muscle Development
Inflammation Theory of Muscle Growth
Believe it or not we still don't have a complete picture of how muscles grow. Brad Pilon has recently put together some research on a new theory that might help explain how muscles grow and why we can't continue to grow indefinitely. In general the theory is about chronic vs acute inflammation. Namely, acute intermittent inflammation from working out is good and helps … [Read more...] about Inflammation Theory of Muscle Growth
Losing Muscle as You Age – How to Stop It
Still on the lines of our hormone theme is the question of what causes age related muscle atrophy (also known as sarcopenia), this is a question Jackson had. Basically there are two things going on with age related muscle loss. 1) Lack of use 2) Lower anabolic hormone levels as we age There hasn't really been a generation of people who have lived a muscle building … [Read more...] about Losing Muscle as You Age – How to Stop It
The Limits of Muscle Growth
The largest muscle size you can ever achieve is determined in combination by your genetic predisposition and your workout pattern, consistency, effort, and to a lesser degree nutrition. Beyond that you can push closer to your limit by using anabolic drugs like testosterone and it's derivatives, Growth Hormone, IGF-1, Insulin and others. However, even those individuals who … [Read more...] about The Limits of Muscle Growth