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4 Ways to Tell If You Are Overtraining

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Overtraining is an often misunderstood word in the lifting sphere. Despite what armchair scientists in the gym might tell you, it isn't easy to do. It’s not just working too hard in the gym, either. Sweating through your weightlifting clothing and doing a couple extra reps and sets isn’t going to do it. Instead, it’s repeatedly pushing yourself too far past your limits without enough time to recover or nutrition to feed your body. Even if it isn’t exactly “easy” to over train, it’s still entirely possible if you aren’t careful. So, be proactive, and watch out for these four signs. Weightlifting Clothing Prolonged Muscle Soreness You can tell you are over training if you notice it takes longer to recover. You might find your muscles are sore after what would otherwise be a relatively light workout. That soreness might last a few days, affecting your next workout. Then, you’re sore from the following workout, which becomes a compounding problem. A little soreness is fine, but you

5 Things Pro Bodybuilders Do Daily

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Pro bodybuilders spend countless hours in the gym to achieve their goals. However, being a successful bodybuilder is about more than just throwing on  stringer tank tops  and going through the motions in the gym. There’s a mental component that is rarely seen but is just as challenging as hitting a new PR. If you want to achieve your goals and elevate your training, consider these five habits of successful bodybuilders. Bodybuilding Clothes Start the Day by Setting Goals How can you expect to achieve a goal if you never set it in the first place? You need to have a game plan ready when you step into the gym. Many successful bodybuilders have a carefully researched and well-thought-out program. “Making gains” is not a plan—it’s too generic and is a byproduct of specific goals. “Hit a deadlift PR in 6 weeks” is a goal you can plan for and program around. Be specific when setting your goals so you can have something to work toward. Aim for Consistency Consistency is mastery. If you ar

7 Lifting Sets to Take Your Training to the Next Level

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Hitting a plateau can be rough. It seems like you’ve been doing everything right, yet you aren’t making nearly enough progress week to week. Sometimes the problem isn’t you—it’s your workout. Specifically, it might be time to mix things up and experiment with new training techniques and unconventional sets. Get ready to throw on your  bodybuilding clothing  and try these different training sets. Bodybuilding Clothing Straight Sets Straight sets are the most common, and you probably already follow this training style. You perform a series of reps and then rest after each set. Typically, you’ll lift the same amount of weight the same number of reps each set. For example, three sets of 10 reps of 90 pounds, with a short rest period between each set. While this is the tried and true technique, if you haven’t added any strength in the past few weeks, it’s time to try something different. Pyramid Set The first place to start is with a pyramid set. In this training style, you adjust the w

5 Ways to Get Over Bodybuilding Mental Roadblocks

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You might have had a tough week in the gym. Maybe you didn’t hit the PR you were hoping for, or you’re battling a minor injury. While these may not be complete setbacks, they’re weighing heavily on your mind. Sometimes, you just need to put on your bodybuilding clothing , get back in the gym, and crush your self-doubt to get out of a rut. Other times, you can rely on your bodybuilding community for the motivation and encouragement you need. If you’re experiencing some bodybuilding mental roadblocks, here are some ways you can overcome them and get back to smashing PRs at the gym. Bodybuilding Clothing Surround Yourself with Like-Minded Bodybuilders Need to get into a more positive headspace? Surround yourself with like-minded bodybuilders. They might all wear the same brand of bodybuilding clothes , adopting the same mindset you need to get back on track in the gym. It’s an easy way to find the right group of people to help you stay excited about training. They can help motivate you

How to Get Over a Bad Week at the Gym

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Everyone knows what it’s like to have a bad week at the gym. By the end of it, you just want to leave your bodybuilding clothes in your closet and stay home. But that’s not how you operate. Rather than sit and feel bad about yourself, you’d rather get back in there and obliterate the next session. But there’s still a little voice in the back of your head holding you back. It’s time to overcome it. Here are five tips that can help you move past a bad week at the gym. Bodybuilding Clothes Draw Inspiration From Your Community Community is everything. While bodybuilding may seem like a solitary journey, it is far from it. No matter where you are, there’s a group of like-minded athletes ready to support you in person or online—you just have to find them. A great way to find your community is with your lifting clothes . People who wear the same brand likely share the same goals. You care enough about your bodybuilding journey to get the best T-shirts and shorts for your workout, and if yo

How to Bulk Up Lagging Muscle Groups

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If you’ve been lifting for a while, chances are you have a few lagging muscle groups. It’s a natural part of the bodybuilder’s journey, but they can stick out if you have ignored them long enough. Even under your bodybuilding clothing , you can tell they aren’t up to par. Whether it’s your rear delts, hamstrings, traps, calves, or another muscle group, it’s not too late to give them extra attention. Here are four tips to help you bulk up lagging muscle groups. Bodybuilding Clothing Start Workouts on Weak Muscle Groups You have the most focus, energy, and motivation at the beginning of your workout. That makes it the perfect time to target the weak muscle groups that seem to be holding you back. You can push yourself and get a good burn in these areas. If it’s leg day and your calves aren’t where you want, start with calf raises or farmer’s walks on your toes. If your triceps are lagging, begin your workout with dips or skull crushers. That way, you get your most important lifts in ri

5 Exercises to Help You Torch Calories

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Are you looking to lose weight? Maybe you are trying to get more cut for competition or just slim down for the season. Along with adjusting your nutrition, the best way to lose weight is to throw on your bodybuilding clothes and turn up the burn. The key is to be as efficient as possible so you don’t spend hours slogging away on the treadmill just to burn a couple hundred calories. From calisthenics to cardio and weightlifting, here are a few exercises practically guaranteed to torch calories. Bodybuilding Clothes Burpees Burpees might seem simple, but do a set of 10, and you’ll start to feel your heart pounding. They involve a lot of movement, and lots of movement is key to burning lots of calories. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart with your arms at your sides. Lower yourself into a squat, putting your hands on the floor. Then, kick your legs back into a plank position, and then return your legs to a squat. Return to a standing position before jumping in the ai