Michale Armatichi asks this month’s question:
“I want to use weights in my workouts. Will theses help me to get bigger muscles?”
Nick Jack – CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach and Personal Trainer
The simple answer to this question is yes and no. Yes you will get bigger muscles, however the word ‘bigger’ can be interpreted in a couple of ways. No is for 98% of females and even some males will struggle to put on size. This has a lot to do with your genetics. Does ‘bigger’ mean increasing your muscle size to look like a body builder, or does ‘bigger’ mean increasing your muscle mass and muscle fibres but not necessarily make your muscles look ‘big’?
Any resistance training will increase your muscle mass, muscle fibres and your muscle strength. However, it all depends on your training goals and what you want to get out of your planned workout.
If your goal is to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, then your resistance training workout will most likely incorporate hypertrophy and pure strength training methods. To increase the volume and size of your muscle, enabling you to achieve the aesthetic appeal of ‘bigger’ muscles.
The aesthetic look of ‘bigger’ and large muscles may not be the goal for, let’s say, an older adult. As we age, our muscular strength declines by 30% between the ages of 50-70 years. Please click here for more information regarding the age-related decline and the importance of resistance training. Hence your goal may not be to have aesthetically ‘bigger’ looking muscles but instead, have ‘bigger’ and improved muscle mass and fibres to assist with maintaining their muscle strength. This concept does not mean that their muscles will look huge, but the density and strength of them will improve.
All in all, it does not matter what type of weight training you do. Whether it is lifting heavy weights or completing body weight exercises, any weight or resistance training will enhance your muscles and give you ‘bigger’ muscles. It is the type of exercises and training methods which will determine how aesthetically larger your muscles get and how much stronger you get.
Females will always struggle to get “big” because they lack the essential ingredient, testosterone, to be able to make the muscles grow. So any girls out there avoiding weights in fear of looking like a man, you can put this myth to rest and go and hit the gym.
Good luck on your journey!
Nick Jack is a qualified CHEK Exercise Coach, Level II Holistic Lifestyle Coach and personal trainer. He runs a personal training business called NO Regrets Personal Training.
Nick likes to lift weights, cycle, run and triathlon. He has played almost every sport at one time in his life. Now, he enjoys spending time walking his dog and relaxing with his wife and friends.
We are pleased to announce the release of our KNEE PAIN TOOLKIT!
Disclaimer: The information published in this column is the author’s professional and personal knowledge and opinion. This information and opinion are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any manner. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition and consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional or exercise program. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on InShape News.
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