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You can only build muscle tissue if you can generate progressively stronger
muscular contractions, so this calls for an emphasis on finding ways to
increase exercise intensity. This should not be confused with exercise duration
as maximum training intensity will actually shorten the time needed to achieve
maximal muscular growth.
In an earlier article I outlined the ways in which you can intensify your
training. Here we'll focus on the role that training to failure has to play in
intensifying the training effect.
Anything less than maximum effort will reduce the effectiveness of your muscle
building workout. The only way to force an optimal reaction in any muscle is to
train it to failure - in other words, no matter how much effort you put in you
are simply incapable of completing one more rep of a given exercise.
Too many people seem to finish a set when they reach a certain number of reps,
but the body will only show significant change if you ask it to do something
extra. Only by passing through the break-over point of momentary muscle failure
will you stimulate the muscle to grow.
Anyone starting out on their bodybuilding career should not attempt this method
of training as it could lead to serious injury. Spend several months perfecting
exercise form and conditioning the body to lift heavier weights before
gradually introducing training to failure.
Richard
Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com
website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all
levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding
Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this
article.
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