Common Muscle-Building Mistakes–and How to Avoid Them

Targeting large, quick muscle-growth

This is understandable, as most bodybuilders are aiming for just this. Yet many don’t realize what harm they can do to their bodies this way. You may feel that you are doing the right thing by hitting the gym super-hard without following the proper training techniques, but you can end up harming your body by following the wrong advice.

The body takes time to grow, hence patience pays! You can’t hit the gym for a few weeks and expect great results. This is the reason why most individuals trying to build muscle never get anywhere with their efforts. Consult a trainer or do your own research to learn more about the safest, most effective workout techniques.

Poor planning

You can’t hit a target unless you plan for it. As with anything, this principle applies to building muscle. If you don’t have a clear goal in mind, then how will you ever get there? Most trainers are too vague in their objectives, thus failing at everything in the long run.

The best thing to do right now is to take a pen and a piece of paper and write down how much you want to gain or lose (with bodybuilding, this is often in muscle measurements as opposed to weight), how much time you will be working on a particular set, the time of the day you will work out, and for how long.

Irregular workouts

Another mistake individuals make is not being consistent with their workouts. Most people start off with enthusiasm and a strong motivation, but this tends to lessen within a few weeks.

If you want to gain significant mass, you need to set a strict exercise plan and stick to it. Technique is more important than quantity, so do everything in a moderate way. Don’t cheat yourself by going really fast through your workouts or just jerking weights up without paying attention to the form.

Again it’s better to consult a trainer or visit the internet for more information. Watch professional workout videos. Don’t waste your time in the gym by doing the wrong thing.

Not enough sleep

After hitting the gym, the body needs enough time to recover, and sleep is essential in facilitating this. Muscles will only get smaller if not given enough time to recover and make repairs. You won’t gain size without at least eight hours of interrupted sleep after each daily workout.

It’s also advisable to consume foods containing branched amino acid (leucine), found in meat and dairy products, as well as some sports drinks and protein bars. The body protein synthesis is most significant right after your workout, during the peak recovery time. In addition to diet, this requires adequate sleep.

Using the wrong supplements

Taking supplements can greatly work in your favor. On the other hand, they can work against you if you don’t know much on the subject. Many people just visit the market and buy any supplement that has “muscle building” written on it.

Your workouts have to target specific areas of the body, and their growth depends on the correct supplement. Different supplements have different purposes: gaining, losing, and even shredding. Always get professional assistance in this subject; otherwise, you may end up without results…or, worse, doing harm to the body.