Building muscle takes time and dedication, but there are certain things you can do to help speed up the process. Here are 10 tips to help you build muscle fast.
We all want to look good—men and women. In fact, 4 in 5 millennial men are insecure about their looks. Sometimes, getting the perfect body is a challenge. Maybe genetics is holding you back, or a poor diet. Whatever the case is, if you want your dream body, you have to put in the work.
1. Lift Heavy Weights
If you want to build muscle, you need to lift heavy weights. Doing so will help your muscles grow and get stronger. The key to muscle building through weights is to challenge your muscles by lifting heavier weights than they are used to.
Start by using weights that are about 50% heavier than what you can typically lift. When you feel ready to increase the weight, go up to about 80% heavier than your usual weight.
Lifting heavy weights is essential to building muscle because it helps your muscles grow and get stronger. Without this step, you will not see the results you want. The heavy weights help to break down the muscle fibers, so they can grow back stronger. As a result, you’ll see an increase in muscle size and strength.
2. Use Compound Exercises
Compound exercises are exercises that work multiple muscle groups at the same time. These exercises are great for building muscle because they allow you to lift heavier weights and work more muscles at once.
Some examples of compound exercises are squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and shoulder presses. To see results from these types of workouts, you should add weights that are challenging, but not so heavy that you can’t complete the exercise with good form. Do about 3-5 sets of 8-12 reps for each exercise.
3. Eat Enough Protein
Protein is essential for building muscle because it helps your muscles grow and repair themselves. When you work out, you are actually breaking down your muscle fibers.
In order for your muscles to grow back bigger and stronger, they need protein. The best way to get protein is through your diet.
You should aim to eat about 0.7-1 grams of protein per pound of body weight. So, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should be eating between 105 and 150 grams of protein per day.
Good sources of protein include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. You can also get protein from plant-based sources such as beans, lentils, and tofu.
In addition to getting protein from your diet, you can also take protein supplements in the form of powders or shakes. These are helpful if you are struggling to meet your protein needs through diet alone.
4. Eat More Calories Than You Burn
In order to build a good muscle tone, you need to be in a calorie surplus, which means you are eating more calories than you are burning. When you are in a calorie surplus, your body has the energy it needs to build new muscle tissue.
To determine how many calories you should be eating, you can use an online calculator or speak to a registered dietitian. Once you know how many calories you need, make sure to eat nutritious foods that will help you reach your goal.
5. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is important for building muscle because it gives your body time to recover from your workouts. When you sleep, your body releases hormones that help to repair and rebuild your muscles.
To get the most from your sleep, you should aim for 7-9 hours per night. You should also avoid working out too close to bedtime. Doing so could interfere with your sleep.
6. Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking enough water is important for building muscle because it helps to keep your body hydrated. When you are well-hydrated, your muscles can work more efficiently.
You should aim to drink 8-10 cups of water per day. You can also get electrolytes from foods such as bananas, coconuts, and avocados.
If you struggle with drinking water, try adding some flavor with lemon, lime, or cucumber.
7. Limit Your Alcohol Intake
Drinking alcohol can interfere with your ability to build muscle. When you drink alcohol, it breaks down into toxins that can damage your muscles and prevent them from growing.
Additionally, alcohol prevents your body from building new muscle tissue and can cause you to lose muscle mass. For these reasons, it’s best to limit your alcohol intake if you are trying to build muscle.
8. Avoid Smoking
Smoking is bad for building muscle because it damages your lungs and prevents your body from getting the oxygen it needs. Cigarettes also contain toxins that can damage your muscles and impede muscle growth.
If you smoke, it’s best to quit. There are many resources available to help you kick the habit.
9. Manage Your Stress Levels
Stress can interfere with your ability to build muscle because it raises your cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that breaks down muscle tissue. In addition to damaging your muscles, stress can also make it harder for you to recover from your workouts. For these reasons, it’s important to manage your stress levels if you want to build muscle.
There are many ways to manage stress, such as exercise, meditation, and yoga.
10. Try Body Building Supplements
If you are struggling to build muscle, you may want to try a muscle-building supplement. These supplements can help you to get the nutrients you need for muscle growth.
Some popular muscle-building supplements include protein powder, creatine, and amino acids. You can find these supplements online or at most health food stores.
Before you take any supplements or buy sarms, it’s important to speak to a doctor or registered dietitian.
How Long Does It Take to Build Muscle?
The timeframe for building muscle varies from person to person. Some people may see results in as little as 4 weeks, while it may take up to 3 months for others.
How quickly you see results also depends on factors such as genetics, age, diet, and workout routine. If you are not seeing results after 4-6 weeks, you may need to make adjustments to your diet or workout routine.
Building muscle is a slow and steady process. But if you are patient and consistent, you will eventually see results.
Muscle building takes time and consistency. If you want to build muscle fast, you need to be patient and stick with it. There are no shortcuts to building muscle. To get your dream body, it’s best to workout at least 3-5 times per week and eat a nutritious diet.
The Best Gym Equipment for Muscle Building
If you are serious about building muscle, you need to use basic gym equipment. Some essential pieces of equipment for muscle building include dumbbells, barbells, and a weight bench. Here’s a closer look at each exercise tool and how you should use them
Dumbbells
Dumbbells come in a variety of weights and are useful for a variety of exercises. If you want to build muscle fast, the best sizes to use are 10-15 pounds for women and 20-30 pounds for men.
Dumbbells can be used for a number of different exercises, such as bicep curls, shoulder presses, and lunges. Although dumbbells aren’t huge weights, they’re good for beginners. As you get stronger, you can move up to heavier weights.
Barbells
Barbells are long rods that have adjustable weights on each end. They are typically used for exercises such as squats and deadlifts. The best size barbells for building muscle are 45 pounds for women and 60 pounds for men.
To use barbells, you have to adjust the weights on each end to your desired weight. For example, if you want to do a bicep curl with 50 pounds, you would put 25 pounds on each end of the barbell. Barbells are the next step up from dumbbells. As your strength increases, you can switch to barbells and eventually notice more results.
Weight Bench
A weight bench is a padded bench that you can use for a variety of exercises, such as presses, flys, and curls. Weight benches come in different sizes, but the average size is about 4 feet long and 2.5 feet wide.
You don’t need a weight bench to build muscle, but it’s helpful. If you are using dumbbells or barbells, a weight bench gives you a place to sit or lie down while you do your reps.
The Most Effective Exercises for Building Muscle
There are a number of exercises you can do to build muscle. But some exercises are more effective than others. Here are the best exercises for developing muscle tone:
Barbell Squats
Barbell squats target your quads, hamstrings, and glutes. To do a barbell squat, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell across your upper back with your hands shoulder-width apart.
Keeping your core tight, lower yourself down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Then raise yourself back up to the starting position.
Barbell Deadlifts
This exercise targets your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. To do a barbell deadlift, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell in front of your thighs with your hands shoulder-width apart.
With your core tight, bend down and grip the barbell with your hands. Then, keeping your back straight, raise the barbell until you’re standing upright.
Dumbbell Chest Press
This exercise builds your chest muscles. To complete a dumbbell chest press, lie on a weight bench with a dumbbell in each hand. With your palms facing away from you, press the dumbbells up until your arms are straight. Next, lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
Dumbbell Flys
Dumbbell flys are a great exercise for building your chest muscles. To perform dumbbell flys, lie on a weight bench with a dumbbell in each hand.
With your palms facing each other, raise the dumbbells up until your arms are straight. Lastly, lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
Lunges
Lunges are an excellent way to target your quads, hamstrings, and glutes. To do a lunge, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place your hands on your hips.
Make sure your core is tight and take a large step forward with your right leg and lower your body down until your right thigh is parallel to the floor.
Lastly, push off with your right leg and return to the starting position. Repeat with your left leg.
Bicep Curls
Bicep curls are a great way to target your biceps. To perform a bicep curl, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand.
With your core tight, curl the dumbbells up until your biceps are contracted. Afterwards, lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
Tricep Extensions
Tricep extensions are an effective way to target your triceps. To complete a tricep extension, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in your right hand.
Bend your elbow and bring the dumbbell behind your head. Next, extend your arm up until it is straight. Lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position and repeat.
These are just a few of the many exercises you can do to build muscle. As you get started, focus on these four exercises. As you get more resilient, you can add other exercises to target different muscle groups.
Build Muscle Fast: Create a New You
Building muscle is a challenge, but with the right approach, you can see results. Try incorporating some of these tips into your routine and see how they work for you. The only way to build muscle fast is to put in the hard work and be consistent with your routine. Have faith in yourself and your ability to build the body you’ve always wanted!
