Tag Archives: hypertrophy
How much strength training is enough?
Almost everyone performs
strength training for a certain goal. Whether that goal is to get stronger, get larger muscles or lose fat, strength training can help. Achieving those goal does not just depend on the perfect training program but on how often you train as well. Training frequency is an important factor in achieving results. When you train more often with the right (on training frequency adjusted) training program, you will likely get better results. However we all lead busy lives and not everyone is able to hit the gym every day. So the important question is: How much strength training is enough to see results?
How to Squat for best results
The squat is one of the five classic fitness exercises. It is an excellent exercise to increase strength and power in the legs. In addition it targets the core muscles of the lower back and even the abdominal muscles for stabilization. Below is a list of the most important muscles that are trained by the squat. The squat exercise is a great way to increase total body strength and just like the deadlift, has a good transfer to daily activities. In fact, the squat is very effective to help older people function in daily life. It increases the ability to stand up from a seated position and walk stairs. Both of which are imperative to live independantly. The squat is also a very effective exercise to help increase strength and muscle mass. However, since this is quite a difficult exercise to perform properly and because usually there are quite heavy weights involved, it is important that the exercise is done correctly. If you know how to squat properly, you will not only increase strength more quickly, but also run less risk of injury. To help you on your way, here is an article on how to squat properly.
Strength training for toning
Strength training 
is an excellent way for both men and women to improve their figure and lose fat in unwanted places. However strength training is unfortunately not the first thing that comes to mind when someone wants to lose fat and improve their figure. Although men aren’t shy of strength training and lifting weights to look better, women are often scared of it, because they fear the body builder look. So sometimes they start special training programmes in which they perform strength training for toning rather than muscle growth. Does this work and if so, what do you need to do?
Effects of hand position in lat pulldown and pull-ups
The lat pulldown and pull-ups are very effective and well know fitness exercises, which offer many possibilities and variations. A complete overview on how these variations influenced muscle activity was lacking until now. To find out, scientists from the University of Salford United Kingdom combined the results of many different studies investigating the effects hand position in lat pulldown and pull ups on muscle activation. Find out their findings in this article.
How to Deadlift for best results
How to Deadlift
The deadlift is one of the three primary lifts used in powerlifting and extremely effective in developing total body strength. It is a lifting exercise and has great transfer to daily activities. It is therefore one of the most functional exercises you can do. The deadlift targets many muscles among which are: the quadiceps femoris (thighs), hamstrings, gluteus maximus (buttocks), erector spinae (lower back) and gastrocnemius (calves). Since it is an exercise which requires (and allows) a lot of weight to be lifted off the floor, it is essential to do it properly. Otherwise back injury and lower back pain are bound to arise. To help you perform the deadlift effectively and safely this article will tell you how to deadlift.
How to Military Press for best results
How to military press
The military press is a very effective exercise to develop strength and muscle size of the shoulder and arm muscles. Specifically the deltoideus and triceps brachii muscles. This exercise replicates an upwards pushing movement and is one of several exercises that is very effective in developing upper body strength and muscle mass (for the other exercise see the links below this article). This exercise has to be performed standing for best results, however this also means that it often goes wrong. This article will tell you how to military press effectively and safely and how to avoid unnecessary mistakes.
How to Barbell Row for best results
How to barbell row
The barbell row is a great way to exercise all of your back muscles. In particular the latissimus dorsi, lumbar extensors (erector spinae) trapezius, infraspinatus and teres major. In addition the posterior part of the deltoideus and the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles are trained as wel. This exercise replicates a pulling movement and is an effective way to build upper body strength and muscle mass. Being an exercise that has to be performed while standing in a certain posture, it often goes wrong which doesn’t help training results at best, or can be downright dangerous. This article will tell you how to barbell row effectively and how to avoid dangerous mistakes.
How to Bench Press for best results
How to bench press
The bench press is an excellent exercise for training your chest muscles or pectoralis major. In addition it targets the triceps (brachii) and the deltoids. This exercise replicates a pushing movement and is quite effective to build upper body strength and muscle mass. Although it seems like a simple exercise, it is important you know how to bench press. What to keep in mind to minimize risk of injury and how to get the most out of it and maximize training results.
Effects of Strongman Training on Testosterone Levels
(03-22-2013) Training to increase muscle 
mass is usually done in the gym performing well known exercises such as the bench press or squat or equivalent machines. Athletes interested in increasing strength and power such as football, wrestling, rugby and basketball players are said to greatly benefit from Strongman training. Strongman training incorporates compound movements such as pulling and pressing oddly shaped objects such as stones, sleds, keg barrels, tractor tires and trucks. An important factor in training for muscle mass is an increased testosterone production following a training session. To determine if Strongman training is an effective way to increase muscle mass, researchers from New York conducted the following study investigating the effect of Strongman training on testosterone levels.
Shoulder Press Effectiveness: Dumbbells vs Barbell and Seated vs Standing
There are many different ways 
to perform exercises and there is much debate about whether using dumbbells or a barbell for the same basic movement is more effective. To make matters even more complicated, many exercises can be performed both seated or standing. To determine the effects of these variables on training effectiveness for both muscle strength and muscle activation, scientists from Norway performed a study investigating the Shoulder Press exercise. In this study they investigated the effects of performing the shoulder press exercise with dumbbells vs barbells and seated vs standing.
Rest between sets for strength and power
(11-7-2013) The effects of strength or 
resistance training depend on different factors such as training intensity, training volume, exercise type and the amount of rest between series. Although most strength training research focuses on training intensity and volume, less research has been performed on different rest protocols. Scientists from Texas bundled their forces with researchers working for the US Military and the Marine Corps to study the effects of a classic muscle hypertrophy resting protocol and an intraset resting protocol to find out the effect of rest between sets.
How deep should you squat? The effect of squat depth on muscle activity
(10-22-2013) Proper technique during an exercise is very
important for good training results. This especially holds true for free weight exercises such as the squat. An important part of exercise technique is the Range of Motion (ROM). To see what the effect of squat depth is on muscle activation during the squat exercise, researchers performed the following study.
Effect of training volume on strength and muscle size
(03-06-2013) Increasing muscle mass is a common
goal for many men training in gyms. There are many variables to consider when designing a training program aimed at increasing muscle mass. One of these variables is the amount of sets or series per exercise. Most research on the matter recommends performing three sets per exercise over one, except for those just starting with strength training. The difference in recommendation between beginners and more advanced athletes is difficult to explain, and researchers from Japan claim it is due to differences in study design and subjects characteristics. To find out the effect of training volume on strength and muscle size the Japanese scientists performed a very innovative study.
Rest between sets for stronger muscles
(11-07-2013) The effects of strength or resistance training
depend on different factors such as training intensity, training volume, exercise type and the amount of rest between sets. Although most strength training research focusses on training intensity and volume, less research has been performed on different rest protocols. Scientists from Texas bundled their forces with researchers working for the US Military and the Marine Corps to study the effects the amount of rest between sets. Two protocols were studied: a classic muscle hypertrophy resting protocol and an intraset resting protocol.
Squat vs. Leg Press: Effects on Testosterone, Growth Hormone and Cortisol
(Originally posted on 22-04-2014) Whether training with free weights is more effective than training on machines has been an ongoing debate and both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. To see which has the largest effects on our hormones scientists of the University of North Texas started a study on the effects of two of the most popular leg exercises: the squat vs leg press.
Effects of Amino Acid Supplementation and Resistance Exercise on Muscle Adaptation
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to investigate and evaluate the effects of amino acid supplementation in combination with resistance exercise on muscle hypertrophy and strength. The mechanisms of different processes in protein turnover on which amino acid supplementation has an effect are explored. Amino acid supplementation in combination with resistance exercise increases serum IGF-1 concentrations, decreases testosterone concentrations and leaves myostatin expression unchanged. These processes increase mRNA translation, which results in an increase in hypertrophy and, if resistance training intensity is high enough, in increases in strength. In the end it seems that although not all effects of amino acid supplementation are positive for protein synthesis, the net effect is an increase in protein synthesis.
Dumbbells vs Barbells: Dumbbell Shoulder Press vs Barbell Shoulder Press
Dumbbell Shoulder Press vs Barbell Shoulder Press
In the first article in the Barbell vs. Dumbbell series we compared the Bench Press with the Dumbbell Press. In this second article in the Barbell vs. Dumbbell series we analyze which variant is the most effective for muscle growth for shoulder muscles: The Military Press (Barbell Shoulder Press) or the Dumbbell Shoulder Press. The Military Press is another classic barbell exercise and an essential part of a weightlifters’ training in which a barbell is pressed from just above shoulder height to above the head with outstretched arms. The Military press is performed while standing, although it is possible to perform it seated and decrease stability requirements. The Dumbbell Shoulder Press is a variant of this exercise but is usually performed while seated. It is perfectly possible to perform this exercise while standing however. Both exercises target the deltoid and triceps brachii muscles. Since both these exercises can be done both seated and standing, the effects of posture and which is more effective will be discussed as well.
Dumbbells vs Barbells: Barbell Bench Press vs Dumbbell Press
Dumbbells vs Barbells
There is a long standing debate among strength training enthusiasts and professionals over the differences between training with dumbbells or with a barbell. Using similar exercises which version is more effective to gain muscle mass using dumbbells or a barbell?
The most effective chest exercises
There are many different exercises to train the pectoralis major, but what are the most effective chest excercises? For those who want to increase the size of their chest muscles it is important to train all different parts of the pectoralis major. This article reviews which exercises target the different parts of the chest muscle best. In addition, muscle activity of assisting (synergistic) muscles will be reviewed as well.
Muscle soreness: Essential for training results?
Muscle soreness often occurs after very intensive workouts or unknown movements. 
It is therefore often seen as an indication of an effective workout and by some even as necessary for adaptations in muscle tissue. For this reason many fitness enthusiasts strive to achieve muscle soreness after their workouts, despite the discomforts this will give in daily life. But can muscle soreness be used as an indication for an effective workout and is muscle soreness essential for training results or is it a sign of overload?