Real men don’t stretch, right? Real men will enter the gym, kick off their work boots, throw on a weight belt, and get to work. They’ll tackle the iron, tossing newbies and rookies out of their way as they bench, squat, and deadlift their way to greatness. They are big, strong, and serious in the weight room. They have time for the iron, and that’s it. They have no mercy for cardio machines. They have no time for “cable curls” and other foo-foo devices. There’s a good chance they don’t even train abs. And it’s an absolute certainty they aren’t doing any stretching. Cause stretching is for girls, right? Not so fast. The problem here is that these powerful bodybuilders and powerlifters might just be limiting how strong they can really become. ...

If you like this article, click here to share:

There is always a reason for everything in body building and this is why stretching also serves a major part of your routine workouts. There are categories of people who believe that by stretching after or even before jogging does not auger well in workouts since they think that it makes one tired before the real training. But all this should be sidelined since without proper stretching in your body building chances of injuries are usually very high and this discontinues you from body building immediately. Muscle cramps are some of the most common occurrences for people who do not stretch well. That is why you will find footballers and other sportsmen running for a few times round the field before getting to the real activity. This enables the muscles to stretch and all the contractions are gradually released so as to ...

If you like this article, click here to share:

Most bodybuilders fail to realize the importance of a proper warm-up before embarking on a weight training session. This is a common mistake in many gyms. Bodybuilders are in a huge hurry to get started on weight training not realizing that in some circumstances they could be doing themselves more harm than good. Some of those who are more cautious try to do the warm-ups but do so in poor fashion. What good can a single set of 30 reps using the weight of a bar do before a strenuous workout? The insistence on warm-ups has potential benefits in both the short and long term. Firstly the warm-up will assist in increasing the weight amount that you will be able to lift in the actual workout. This will help you build your muscles bigger and faster. Secondly, a proper warm-up technique will ...

If you like this article, click here to share:

DOMS is one malady with which every bodybuilder worth his salt is very experienced. Short for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, DOMS is the condition you experience 1 to 3 days following your workout, with the absolute peak occurring 48 hours after the conclusion of your routine. DOMS is characterized by localized pain or stiffness in a muscle group. It is worse upon waking in the morning, or after sitting in one position for an extended period of time. DOMS effects are known by anyone who’s ever completed a serious workout. The effects of DOMS lessen over time. The more years you have in the gym, the less soreness you face following each workout. Still, at all levels of bodybuilding, you expect some level of soreness and stiffness in the days that follow a tough ...

If you like this article, click here to share:

Q: I have had low back and left leg pain for the past week and a half after feeling something give during a leg and back workout. Someone said that I may have sciatica. What is it and how can I find relief? A: The main thing is, stop doing everything heavy in your routine until you check it out. That is first... stop doing squats, deadlifts and other heavy workouts for legs and back. The fact that you are naming ONE leg over another and low back pain, means that you are probably suffering from some pull or strain to the sciatic nerve. Ice, rest and do gentle stretches to remain supple and keep from locking up. Ice is crucial. Nerve flushing can rid your body of the pain, but so can stretching and chiropractic adjustment. Keep that ...

If you like this article, click here to share:

As more and more people are getting into bodybuilding, and the levels of quality bodybuilding physique continue to rise, a new epidemic is beginning to become prevalent: Nerve injuries. Advanced training techniques, heavier poundages, and chemical advances also lead to higher instances. Nerve damage is a serious cause of delay and sometimes failure in bodybuilding careers, and any symptoms of it should be addressed immediately with your physician. Causes Nerve injuries, or peripheral nerve injuries to be more precise, occur when excessive trauma, stretching, or compression occurs in a muscle group. Symptoms Any sort of tingling, pain, weakness, or numbness in muscle group area could be a sign of nerve damage, particularly if sensation continues for weeks. Testing An examination of the affected area for physical response as well as nerve conductivity leads your doctor to making a determination. This is not something that ...

If you like this article, click here to share:

The importance of doing warm ups before engaging in bodybuilding activity is of much significance but despite this fact there are many people who disregard this fact and proceed to do strenuous exercises that are taxing on the body; this is done in total oblivion to the effects imparted on the body. It is only after some time that these persons will realize their mistake and as such this article would like to preempt the occurrence of such ill effects especially to those new to bodybuilding. When a person is starting on exercise activities that are physically involving the body responds in such a manner that sees it increase the rate of respiration, and the rate of blood supply to the muscles which means that the amount of both nutrients and oxygen supplied to these locations is also increased. The body ...

If you like this article, click here to share:

Stretching is an integral part of every good bodybuilding routine. We’ve heard this a million times. But why is it important? What is the correct way to stretch? Should stretching be done differently at different times in the gym? There are many questions about stretching. Let’s find out the answers! Why stretch? Stretching gives the muscles a greater range of motion. This means that more muscle fibers are recruited during the movement. Stretching also prevents injury by preparing tendons and ligaments for increased workloads, reducing the potential for overextension, a common cause of injury. How to stretch Start slow. Move through each muscle group, rotating, extending, and flexing in every comfortable range of motion that the particular muscle group allows. 10 to 20 seconds in each stretch is usually adequate for ensuring enough blood ...

If you like this article, click here to share:

It is possible that after you performed some serious weightlifting you woke up the following morning feeling a myriad of aches and pains in the concerned muscle groups. The main culprit in this case may have been the lack of proper stretching prior to the start of the exercise. Stretching is very beneficial to the weightlifting fraternity because it prepares the muscle for the torrid experiences ahead. Stretches are effective in gently lengthening the muscles in preparation for the extreme stress that they will endure. You can consider stretches to have the same effect as a warm up. Static stretching involves a gradual extension of the muscle groups through the fullest possible motion ranges and holding at this point for approximately half a minute. Through this extension the muscles will be elongated adequately. Take care though; any painful sensations felt in ...

If you like this article, click here to share:

Stretching is an integral part of every good bodybuilding routine.  We’ve heard this a million times.  But why is it important?  What is the correct way to stretch?  Should stretching be done differently at different times in the gym?  There are many questions about stretching.  Let’s find out the answers! Why stretch? Stretching gives the muscles a greater range of motion.  This means that more muscle fibers are recruited during the movement.  Stretching also prevents injury by preparing tendons and ligaments for increased workloads, reducing the potential for overextension, a common cause of injury. How to stretch Start slow.  Move through each muscle group, rotating, extending, and flexing in every comfortable range of motion that the particular muscle group allows.  10 to 20 seconds in each stretch is usually adequate for ensuring enough blood is in the muscle group, and ...

If you like this article, click here to share: