The optimum time to train Posted by Mike Furci (06/04/2011 @ 9:01 am) there are many biological factors that are important for muscular hypertrophy like hormone levels, age, sex, muscle fiber type, diet, among others. These factors have been recognized as extremely important for the hypertrophic adaption to strength training. Many of these factors, however, are known to vary throughout the day. Can the daily differences in the above factors like hormone levels, affect the adaptive response to strength training? What time of day is the best time to train? A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research set out to examine the effects of time-of-day-specific strength training on muscle hypertrophy maximal strength in men. The training group underwent a 10 week preparatory training regimen. Afterwards, the subjects were randomized to either a morning training group or an afternoon training group. The groups trained for another 10 weeks with training times between 07:00 and 09:00 hours and 17:00 and 19:00 hours in the morning group and the afternoon group respectively. Cross-sectional areas and volume of the quadriceps femoris were obtained by magnetic resonance imaging at weeks 0, 10, and 20. Maximum voluntary isometric strength during unilateral knee extensions and the half squat one repetition maximum were tested at weeks 0, 10, and 20. The entire 20-week training period resulted in significant increases in maximum voluntary contraction and 1RM in both training groups. In this study, the magnitude of muscular hypertrophy and strength did not statistically differ between the morning or afternoon group. However, this study was of short duration and like most research concerning physical improvement through exercise, there needs to be more subjects over longer periods of time. (J Strength Cond Res 23(9):2451-2457) Posted in: Bodybuilding, Exercise, General fitness, General training, Power lifting, Specific workouts, Weight training, Workout programs, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci Tags: Duration of training, Headlines, High intensity training, journal of strength and conditioning, Journal of strength and conditioning research, leg training, sport specific training, training, Training advice, Training frequency, training stimulus, Weight Lifting advice, Weight lifting tips, Weight training, weight training routines, Weight training vs. Cardio, weight training workouts
Exercise induced hormone changes do not promote muscular gains Posted by Mike Furci (05/06/2011 @ 9:53 am) Exercise induced endogenous hormone levels have been studied extensively. Researchers have examined how the different components of training including sets, repetitions, load and rest intervals affect serum levels of hormones such as testosterone, growth hormone and cortisol. Many studies have demonstrated there is an acute increase in serum levels of anabolic hormones after intense resistance exercise. To be more specific, high intensity exercise coupled with short rest intervals that is performed with large muscle groups are associated with large rises in these hormones when compared to other training methods. Conversely, training small muscle groups like the biceps has been shown to have no effect on serum hormone levels. Because of the findings in many studies, training programs have been constructed to maximize the post-exercise rise in these hormones based on the assertion that exercise-induced increases in hormones like testosterone and GH will enhance muscle size and strength. But, considering the fact that these increases in hormone levels are very small and of short duration, will they produce muscular gains. A study from the Kinesiology Dept. of McMaster University in Canada found that exercise induced hormone levels had no effect on muscle size or strength after 15 weeks of resistance training. There is evidence that a minimal basal level of testosterone is required to support strength and hypertrophy gains, which are otherwise attenuated. Therefore, the hormone-sensitive processes that underpin muscle anabolism at hypo- and supra-physiological hormone levels are not being activated appreciably by exercise-induced increases in hormone availability or at least do not result in any measurable enhancement of strength or hypertrophy.
(J Appl Physiol 108(1); 2010) Posted in: Anti-Aging, Bodybuilding, General training, Men's Health and Wellness, Testosterone, Weight training, Workout programs, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci Tags: Duration of training, Headlines, hgh human growth hormone, High intensity training, high intensity weight training, Hormone replacement therapy, Hormones, Human Growth Hormone, Journal of Apllied Physiology, leg training, Male hormone replacement therapy, training, training stimulus, Weight Lifting advice, Weight lifting tips, Weight training, weight training routines, weight training workouts, weigt training
Barbell back squat vs smith machine squats Posted by Mike Furci (02/23/2011 @ 9:56 am) Many strength and muscle building experts will say, the barbell back squat is much more effective at building size and strength. They argue free weight squats are a more natural movement and require much more stabilization and balance, which increases its effectiveness. However, the Smith machine is much easier to learn, especially for beginners, which many argue is safer. I contend that it depends upon the person’s build. If one has long legs and a shorter torso, they will have a very difficult time performing a squat correctly in order to get optimum stimulation for strength or growth. In this case and in others, they would benefit greatly from performing smith machine squats. But what does science have to say? Which is better for gaining strength? Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada compared the free weight squat to the Smith machine using electromyography (EMG). The purpose of their study was to determine which exercise was better at stimulating the prime movers and stabilizers of the legs (e.g., tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and biceps femoris) and trunk (e.g., lumbar erector spinae and rectus abdominus). Six healthy participants performed 1 set of 8 repetitions using a weight they could lift 8 times, i.e., 8 rep maximum. Contrary to our hypotheses, muscles of the legs (specifically the vastus medialis and biceps femoris) displayed greater EMG activity during the free weight squat compared to the Smith machine squat, whereas there were no differences between exercises for EMG activity of trunk stabilizers.
Researchers conclude that the free weight squat may be superior to the Smith machine squat for training the major muscle groups of the legs and possibly would result in greater strength development and hypertrophy of these muscle groups with long-term training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(9), 2588-2591. Posted in: Bodybuilding, General training, Legs, Weight training, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci Tags: best leg exercises, best leg toning exercises, Building strength, dumbbell squats, exercises for strengthening your back, funcional strength, how to build stronger legs, how to increase leg strength, how to make your legs bigger, how to perform a squat, how to strengthen your core, journal of strength and conditioning, Journal of strength and conditioning research, leg exercises, leg exercises for women, leg shaping exercises, leg training, leg workouts, Legs, squat, squats, Strength, Strength conditioning, strength conditioning research, Strength tests, strength training for legs, Ways to test your strength, what are some good leg strengthening exercises
Abductor and Adductor machines Posted by Mike Furci (01/14/2010 @ 9:30 am) Purpose:? These machines are designed to isolate the muscles that spread the legs apart and bring them together. Pros:? The machines allow you to feel the burn in the targeted areas. Cons:? Despite the perception (mostly among womem) that these machines “tone” flabby thighs, they don’t actually apply enough resistance to burn many calories.? Because they don’t allow the legs to stabilize a load like squats or lunges, the abductor and adductor don’t build much strength or muscle.? Plus opening and closing your legs in a public gym is just asking for trouble. Verdict:? Bad.? “If you want strong, athletic looking legs,” says Jason Ferruggia, an MF training advisor, “you need to squat, lunges and deadlift.”? Those simple movements will train the thighs’ inner and outer areas much more efficiently and without comprimising your manhood. Men’s Fitness March 2008
Amazingly these machines are still in many fitness centers and gyms. It isn’t bad enough that women are still using these contraptions, but amazingly I also see men using these useless machines. Why? outside of shear laziness and ignorance, I haven’t a clue. The adductors and abductors are worked to a much higher degree by performing multi-joint lower leg exercises like the squat and it’s variations.
There is no such thing as a free lunch. Working legs properly, like anything that yields good results, takes effort. If you can talk while you’re performing a set, go home. Start taking your sets to the point at which you start breathing hard and feeling a deep burn in order to get the gains you want Posted in: Bodybuilding, General training, Legs, Weight training, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci Tags: best leg exercises, best leg toning exercises, exercises for legs, Headlines, how to increase leg strength, how to make your legs bigger, leg and thigh exercise machines, leg exercise equipment, leg exercises, leg exercises for women, leg shaping exercises, leg strengthening exercises, leg training, mens fitness, mens fitness magazine, mens fitness magazines, Weight training, www.mensfitness.com
The Good Morning Posted by Mike Furci (01/03/2010 @ 9:30 am) Bending over to pick something up can be a very dangerous move if done with a rounded back. Most people in their lifetime will have an injury to the lower back. One way to help prevent such injuries is to do the good morning. Performing the good morning is an excellent choice for strengthening and building the posterior chain, which includes the lower back, glutes and hamstrings. The glutes (butt) and the hamstrings are responsible for hip extension while the muscles of the lower back (erector spinea) are contracted statically. Because of the large degree of hip flexion, the gluteus maximus and the hamstrings are utilized throughout the movement. The glutes work in unison with the hamstring to extend the hips in the concentric (raising) part of the movement. The hamstrings, located on the back of the upper thigh, become more involved as you begin to decrease the degree of hip flexion while raising the weight. The erector spinea, which run the length of your spine on both sides, are statically contracted throughout most of the movement, keeping the normal curvature of the spine. A static contraction of the rhomboids and the trapezius muscles help maintain the shoulders. Extension of the body occurs when the upper body, torso and pelvis rotate up and back. The biggest mistake I see with this movement is allowing the back to ?round? and magnifying the kyphotic (upper back) curvature while de-emphasizing the lordotic (lower back) curvature. I need to add that a slight curve of the upper back will present no danger and will happen to most while using heavy weight, but if you look like a big question mark (?) while performing the exercise, that?s a different story. The good morning Posted in: Back, Bodybuilding, General training, Legs, Power lifting, Specific workouts, Weight training, Workout programs, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci Tags: best leg exercises, exercises for low back pain, exercises that strengthen leg muscles, hamstring, hamstring exercises, hamstring muscle, hamstring strengthening exercises, leg exercises, leg exercises for women, leg strengthening exercises, leg training, Low Back Pain, low back strengthening exercises, Weight Lifting advice, Weight lifting tips, Weight training, weight training routines, weight training workouts, what are some good leg strengthening exercises
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