Bodybuilding: Is Time-Under-Tension Important for Muscle Growth?

The term "Time-under-tension" (TUT) is really hot in the bodybuilding, athletic consulting, and fitness industries. It refers to the amount of time per rep (or set, or exercise, or workout) that the muscle is under tension. For example, if an athlete takes 4 seconds to perform a biceps curl, it is said that the TUT was 4 seconds. If someone performs 100 repetitions, then the workout TUT was 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

Many people want to know, "What is the best TUT for growth?"

A really good question, but unfortunately, you will not find any peer-reviewed research on the optimal time under tension. All TUT claims are merely anecdotal and have simply been promoted by popular strength coaches, leading to this belief. At present, no one, not even the most experienced exercise physiologist truly can prove what is the optimal TUT for growth, let alone prove the exact mechanism that controls muscle hypertrophy. Is it training to failure, an optimal TUT, an optimal resistance, or a specific number of reps that gives you the greatest muscle growth from training?

Unfortunately, none of the TUT schemes, nor any other bodybuilding method, has been proven to be more effective than others in a research setting. Muscle growth is merely an adaptation to the correct intensity and volume of work. Your muscle responds to the demand (training) by adapting (growing) so that the next time you ask your muscle to lift that same weight, it will have an easier time doing so. Almost all programs will work, and that is why anyone and everyone can write training articles, provided it has some common sense behind.

However, having said all that, strength coaches, bodybuilders, and researchers are obviously on the right track with TUT philosophies. Muscle tension is undoubtedly one of the most important factors in muscle growth. After all, if you train too lightly and with too many reps, your body will adapt by increasing endurance properties...and muscle growth may actually be the last thing your body will do in preparation for the next training session. Basically, this is why endurance exercise doesn't cause growth. Muscle doesn't need to get bigger to have better endurance.

Using extremely heavy weights that allow only 1-2 repetitions per set or performing a few explosive repetitions may not provide enough tension for muscle growth. Therefore, if muscle mass is your goal, sets lasting only 5-10 seconds are probably not going to be optimal for gains. On the other hand, you don't want to go too light, because performing 100 reps with the 5 lb dumbbells is not likely to prove effective either, even though this represents a huge TUT.

DO YOUR MUSCLES EVEN DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN TUT & REPS?

The answer is probably no, your muscles don't distinguish between time under tension or the number of reps. Muscles simply respond to the demands imposed on the body. If the exercise demands the muscle to grow bigger in preparation for the next session, then that is what will happen, regardless of exercise choice.

The fact is that a lot of guys go in the gym, lift hard, and get big without giving the slightest thought to TUT. General recommendations for "hypertrophy training" are 8-12 reps per set, with multiple sets per exercise, and multiple exercises per body part. The debate over the best training program is endless. What is the optimal training frequency? How often should you train a body part?

The number of training questions is infinite, as the precise knowledge is limited, despite the success of top-level bodybuilders and athletes. The lack of uncertainty regarding TUT and almost all training parameters gives good anecdotal evidence that people should constantly be varying their programs (after 3-4 weeks or when gains begin to slow down or disappear). Don't get hung up on one specific TUT. You can get growth on sets shorter and longer than just one specific time period.

So, there are no scientific conclusions, only theories. You are better off seeking research that shows significant muscle growth with a certain number of reps, and then extrapolate a TUT...because you will find very little, if any, science that controls the speed of repetition. However, even repetition data is scarce.

On a related note, you must remember not to look at TUT as an isolated factor in growth...You can train in the perfect rep range with the perfect intensity, but if you neglect adequate nutrition (i.e. a calorie surplus), then you can forget about growing. In contrast, if you eat 5000kcal a day, you will grow no matter how you train. Same with rest...you shouldn't neglect it.

In closing, think of muscle growth this way...does the construction worker worry about "Time under tension"? NO! He simply carries as many bricks as he can handle. Then next week, after he has grown bigger and stronger, he carries more bricks...week in and week out...plus he eats big. According to Men's Health consultant Michael Mejia, "The bottom line is that there is TONS of great information out there, but often we make this stuff out to be rocket science when it really isn't."

Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Men?s Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit http://www.TurbulenceTraining.com

Five: Tips To Weight Training And Bodybuilding

Weightlifting and Bodybuilding is all about setting goals and exceeding your personal goals and exceeding your boundaries on a weekly basis. Weight training and bodybuilding helps one to become stronger and healthier. Any type of good exercise helps a person to build up their self esteem as well as a person?s physical appearance. The main goal of all is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A person should care about their appearance but they should also be very concerned about their health. It is advised that a person who is interested in body building or weight training consult a physician first. A doctor will be able to determine which exercise or type of training would be best for a person?s physical health status.

To make clear the simplicity of bodybuilding and weight lifting I've arranged a list of five basic keys to successful training.

- Set a goal - short and long term.
- It is a must to ease into a training program with a wholesome, thoughtful nutritional plan - proper food, order and amount of consumption.
- Be confident from the beginning that these principles will produce results.
- A person should show Enthusiasm for weight training.

Working out doesn't have to take a lot of time. Walking a half hour per day around your neighborhood will give your body stamina and energy. The majority of fitness clubs or health clubs that offer aerobics are 45 minutes to an hour long. Taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do for yourself as well as your family. One of the great things about exercise, weightlifting or bodybuilding is that it doesn't need to be done alone. Find a friend with a similar fitness program and goals; having a partner helps you both stay motivated and enthusiastic.

Bodybuilding requires that one make achievable goals. You need to clearly define your goals that would help you achieve weight loss. There are times when you may feel a lot of stress at work, so much stress that the work involved actually keeps your mind in good company so that you may to lose track of the amount of reps while lifting weights its import to avoid this type of situation.

You may ask why we have to work out. We work out to look better, to feel better and energetic. These are the steps to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Jena Luthowski writes about Sports attributics, Golfballs coupon codes and Golfsmith coupons

The Scary Truth About Soy Protein and Bodybuilding

Marc David

Inevitably there?s a myth that soy protein is horrible for bodybuilding and that if you are any where near serious about working out or building muscle you will stay away from it. In fact, some sites show ?studies? that soy protein and soy products can be detrimental to your health. And while it?s true that early claims of soy wonders might not be entirely true, there?s also myth that soy protein is bad.

First off, there?s a concept called the Biological Value Scale that was developed to measure the quality of specific proteins. It basically rates how efficiently your body will use a given protein source. The higher the BV (biological value), the more amino acids and nitrogen your body is retaining from the foods you eat. In sum, it becomes a way to measure the potential for quality muscle growth and strength.

There was a time when egg whites were at the top of the BV with a score of around 100. Since then, whey proteins have toped out the scales around 106-159 BV. This means that whey protein is better used for quality muscle growth.

But first a warning!

This doesn't mean that all you would utilize is whey protein for all your needs. Many times bodybuilders will use a variety of proteins depending on the BV and the times of day and if they just finished a workout.

Let me explain? Your protein needs in the morning are different then the middle of the day and are different again AFTER a workout and again different before bed.

All this means is that no one protein is the best for any given time. But before I get lost... let me show you the biological value scale in a simple form.

Type of Protein :: Biological Value Rating

Whey: 106-159 Egg: 100 Cow?s Milk: 91 Fish: 83 Casein: 80 Beef: 80 Chicken: 79 Soy: 74 Wheat Gluten: 54 Kidney Beans: 49

For all these reasons, you can and should see that soy protein is listed lower. That just means it?s not the most anabolic of proteins for optimal muscle growth.

But don?t get me wrong...

This doesn't mean you shouldn't eat soy protein if you enjoy it. It simply means that barring any religious beliefs or personal preferences, soy would not be the ideal protein source for enhanced muscle gains. This doesn't mean you cannot have it or that it?s bad for you.

In fact, let?s continue on with a little example.

John Q. Public 13% body fat 184 lbs 160 lbs of LBM (lean body mass)

For simplification we'll just say that for every LB of LBM (pound of lean body mass) John wants to get 1 g of protein.

John should be consuming 160 g of protein a day.

Here?s where the myth and some problems come into play! Read carefully.

If you get a vast amount of your protein from less BV sources then optimal (beans, soy) you will not prime your muscles for optimal anabolic growth. John shouldn't be getting 150+ grams of soy protein a day IF he wants to create the most muscle mass and he has no personal reasons not to use better quality sources.

John also won?t be in jeopardy of losing muscle or wasting his efforts if he ingests small quantities of soy proteins because he likes them. Having soy in his cereal is not going to make a difference.

The myth that soy will cause men to produce estrogen is when VAST quantities are ingested. Far beyond what any rational person would want to do on a prolonged basis.

A bodybuilder that has soy will not feel any differences, be any less anabolic then another person who does not consume soy at all.

Fact: A long-term metabolic balance study in young men to assess the nutritional quality of an isolated soy protein and beef proteins (VR Young, A Wayler, C Garza, FH Steinke, E Murray, WM Rand, and NS Scrimshaw) was published in 1984 by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, Jan 1984; 39: 8 - 15.

After 84 days of two groups, one totally isolated soy protein and the other on beef proteins, found a conclusion that:

"Body cell mass measurements did not reveal any deterioration in protein nutritional status. These observations confirm the prediction, derived from previous short-term nitrogen balance studies, that the nutritional quality of isolated soy protein is high and that this plant protein can serve as the sole source of essential amino acids and nitrogen for protein maintenance in adults."

So let me summarize and review...

Soy is not the most biological available source for optimal anabolic muscle growth. If you were to finish a workout, you would want to ingest some high quality whey protein vs. soy proteins. However, simply having soy doesn't mean it?s bad for bodybuilding unless you are getting a majority of your protein from soy products. Then it?s not optimal. You?d also need to ingest quite a bit on a daily basis for any negative effects of soy to manifest (specifically aimed at males in this sentence).

Women bodybuilding for beginners.

Feel free to publish this article in your e-zine, your
newsletter, or your web site, as long as resource box
and by-line is included.

A courtesy copy of your publication will be appreciated.
Please, email to natureboy_bodybuilding@hotmail.com
Thank You

Women bodybuilding for beginners.

With the current craze of the Atkins diet women are finding success fitting into clothes that they couldnt fit into for a while. Without a doubt the Atkins diet works. Unfortunately the diet doesnt help muscle tone or the cardiovascular system. Now with the fat that was covering the underlying muscle melted off,. you would like to see these muscles toned up. Why not try bodybuilding? You probably have some questions why you should start bodybuilding. I listed below some of the questions I have been asked over the years. Hopefully this will answer your queries.

Question 1
If I start bodybuilding will I develop huge muscles and have to quit my job as a dental hygienist? Im not looking forward to becoming a longshoreman and working on the docks and changing my name to Butch.

No. A woman does not have the testosterone levels as a man to build huge muscles. The bodybuilding training will only tone muscles and add shape.

Question 2
Will I have to 2nd mortgage the house so I can buy supplements to support my bodybuilding endeavors?

No. Just follow a natural well-balanced eating plan.

Question 3
Can I build a larger chest with bodybuilding?

No. But you can tone the underlying muscles of your chest which will help enhance your appearance.

Question 4
Do I have to join a gym?

No. You can workout at home buying some dumbbells and simple equipment. But it is helpful to train at a bodybuilding gym. It is great to be in an atmosphere where everybody else there is working towards the same goals as you.

Question 5
Do I have to commit a lot time to bodybuilding?

No. 3 times a week 1-hour sessions are all you really need to keep toned.

Question 6
Do I have to yell really loud when lifting weights or grunt like the guys at the gym or expel deadly gases while working out?

No. Please no. I was parking my truck in the parking lot of the gym I own in Northern Wisconsin and I heard a guy yelling from inside the gym. I thought he was hurt from the ear-splitting roar. After getting inside I found him finishing a set of wrist curls.
I hope this will answer your questions if you are interested in starting bodybuilding. It is a great individual sport. And you can choose the level you want to be at. From a recreational bodybuilder to a highly competitive bodybuilder that competes at shows. Hopefully this article will be a start of a series of women bodybuilding for beginners. Please join the newsletter on the www.nature-boy-bodybuilding.com site to keep informed of new articles in the future. If you have any questions about bodybuilding please dont hesitate to e-mail me at natureboy_bodybuilding@hotmail.com. Please be sure to check with your doctor before starting a bodybuilding program.
newsletter, or your web site, as long as resource box
and by-line is included.

A courtesy copy of your publication will be appreciated.
Please, email to natureboy_bodybuilding@hotmail.com
Thank You

Women bodybuilding for beginners.

With the current craze of the Atkins diet women are finding success fitting into clothes that they couldnt fit into for a while. Without a doubt the Atkins diet works. Unfortunately the diet doesnt help muscle tone or the cardiovascular system. Now with the fat that was covering the underlying muscle melted off,. you would like to see these muscles toned up. Why not try bodybuilding? You probably have some questions why you should start bodybuilding. I listed below some of the questions I have been asked over the years. Hopefully this will answer your queries.

Question 1
If I start bodybuilding will I develop huge muscles and have to quit my job as a dental hygienist? Im not looking forward to becoming a longshoreman and working on the docks and changing my name to Butch.

No. A woman does not have the testosterone levels as a man to build huge muscles. The bodybuilding training will only tone muscles and add shape.

Question 2
Will I have to 2nd mortgage the house so I can buy supplements to support my bodybuilding endeavors?

No. Just follow a natural well-balanced eating plan.

Question 3
Can I build a larger chest with bodybuilding?

No. But you can tone the underlying muscles of your chest which will help enhance your appearance.

Question 4
Do I have to join a gym?

No. You can workout at home buying some dumbbells and simple equipment. But it is helpful to train at a bodybuilding gym. It is great to be in an atmosphere where everybody else there is working towards the same goals as you.

Question 5
Do I have to commit a lot time to bodybuilding?

No. 3 times a week 1-hour sessions are all you really need to keep toned.

Question 6
Do I have to yell really loud when lifting weights or grunt like the guys at the gym or expel deadly gases while working out?

No. Please no. I was parking my truck in the parking lot of the gym I own in Northern Wisconsin and I heard a guy yelling from inside the gym. I thought he was hurt from the ear-splitting roar. After getting inside I found him finishing a set of wrist curls.
I hope this will answer your questions if you are interested in starting bodybuilding. It is a great individual sport. And you can choose the level you want to be at. From a recreational bodybuilder to a highly competitive bodybuilder that competes at shows. Hopefully this article will be a start of a series of women bodybuilding for beginners. Please join the newsletter on the www.nature-boy-bodybuilding.com site to keep informed of new articles in the future. If you have any questions about bodybuilding please dont hesitate to e-mail me at natureboy_bodybuilding@hotmail.com. Please be sure to check with your doctor before starting a bodybuilding program.

The author, Kevin Doberstein is a writer for www.nature-boy-bodybuilding. The site is dedicated to natural bodybuilding and preserving nature and wildlife. Water, forest, soil and wildlife conservation is paramount to Nature boy. You can contact Nature boy at natureboy_bodybuilding@hotmail.com.

Know your bodybuilding supplement - BCAA's

 BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly being recognized as an important supplement in the field of sports nutrition. In short the term refers to three essential amino acids - leucine, isoleucine and valine.

Amino acids are widely known as the building blocks of protein. When protein food is eaten it gets digested into individual amino acids and short chains of amino acids that are sufficiently small to be absorbed into the bloodstream. They are then used by the body to build and repair tissues amongst other things.

Amino acids are split between those classed as essential and those labelled non-essential. This simply means that essential amino acids cannot be made by the body, whereas non-essential amino acids can. There are nine essential amino acids and each must be obtained from the diet. The nine essential amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine.

Non-essential amino acids are just as important as the essential variety and the term simply means they can be made by the body from vitamins and other amino acids. The non-essential amino acids are alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine and tyrosine.

The BCAA's are especially important to athletes because they are metabolized in the muscle rather than the liver. This means that they can be used either to build new proteins or be burned as fuel to create energy. Supplementing with BCAA's has been shown to result in measurable gains in both muscle strength and size. Taken before a workout BCAA's can improve performance and delay the onset of fatigue. They also operate as anabolic agents allowing the body to burn fat and not muscle.

As a supplement that has no reported side effects, branched chain amino acids offer many benefits to the serious bodybuilder.

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.

Getting Fit Without Expensive Gym Equipment

Getting fit without gym membership or exercise equipment is easy. The first thing to remember is to try and eat healthier. That doesn't mean you have to start one of those ridiculous fad diets. It just means to pay more attention to what you are eating. If you are eating something that you know isn't good for you, then eat less of it, drink less soda, eat less sweets. Drink lots of water. The great thing about water is that it keeps you hydrated (which is really important while you are exercising) and it gives your body the illusion that it is full, I used this trick a lot when I was dieting, if you start to get hungry but it is too early to eat again just drink a glass of water. If you don't really like water, they have all kinds of low calorie powders now that you can add to your water to make it juice.

The second thing is to start an exercise routine. You don't need any fancy equipment for this. The only thing you may want to buy is an aerobics dvd of some sort. The only reason for this is that it you need a program that will keep your heart rate elevated for your workout. It doesn't matter what kind of dvd it is as long as it is some kind of aerobic workout. Try to find one you think you might enjoy, this will make it easier for you. You should do this tape at least 3 times a week, 5 times a week if you can handle it, then after your aerobic workout you will want to do some muscle strengthening exercises to keep you toned. You can do sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and jumping jacks. There are plenty more, that is just to name a few. If you follow this plan for a couple of weeks you will start to see very noticeable results.

For more on healthy weight loss check out my blog at http://lose-weight-right.blogspot.com