Building Muscle, Its An Investment

Though some may build muscle rather easily, for most of us building muscle is hard work. “I do not want to get bulky.” Or, “I do not want to get big,” are common statements I have heard in opposition to weightlifting, but in reality it is difficult to build a large amount of lean muscle tissue. Though I have heard these statements made many times, I am yet to meet someone with a natural abundance of muscle mass who is unhappy about it. Even if someone is capable of building muscle efficiently, it does not happen overnight. When you are satisfied with the amount of muscle you have, you can go into caloric maintenance to prevent further muscle building.

As you continue to build muscle, you will continue to have more benefits.

Building new muscle requires adequate protein as well as an appropriate resistance training program. A “bulky” look comes from consuming too many calories more so than from lifting weights. If one eats to maintain their bodyweight and lifts weights, they will achieve a leaner physique. The body will shed unwanted fat mass while maintaining the muscle it has. One cannot build new tissue without a surplus of calories. No surplus of carbohydrates and fat, no bulk.

When it comes to exercise, there are some that like to train in a circuit style to keep their heart rate up so that they can burn more calories. This style of training can be beneficial, and I use it on occasion. However, in regard to muscle building, resting between sets so that you can recover and lift heavier weights will allow one to build muscle more effectively. Muscle is very expensive to maintain from a caloric standpoint and the more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn ALL the time, not just while exercising. The caloric burn you get from keeping your heart rate up pales in comparison to the number of calories you will burn 24/7 with more muscle on your frame.

Quite literally, muscle is what will carry you through life. Muscle is your vehicle and without it you will be stuck. Do you want to play with your grandkids? You will not be able to without muscle to support your body getting down on the ground and back up, let alone carrying or chasing them around. If you think it is a challenge now, imagine doing it in 5, 10 or 20 years with even less ability than you have now. Would you like to travel the world in your later years now that you have more time and resources? That might not be as enjoyable if you do not have the strength to carry your own luggage or the leg muscles to hike and go sightseeing.

If you feel you are past the point of effective muscle building, there are some other alternatives to help with your quality of life. Building strength will be very beneficial for some of the same reasons as building muscle. Having strength will help you to get around, get up and down and maintain independence as you will be able to lift and carry things on your own. Improving mobility and flexibility will also be helpful for pain-free daily movement. Do not let yourself stiffen up by sitting in a chair or at a desk all day.

Having muscle makes one feel strong and feeling strong gives one confidence in themself. If you have questions about resistance training, how to get started or how to get set up with the Anything Is Paulssible app, please contact me in the app.