Any individual who has pursued bodybuilding with the goal of significantly increasing muscle mass knows that volume is one of the most effective methods in producing such progress. Most who understand the effectiveness of higher volume bodybuilding workout sessions find themselves seemingly addicted to exercise, spending excessive periods performing countless weight lifting sets, attempting to blitz their body with as much overload as possible.
The problem is, by performing high volume bodybuilding sessions on a continual basis, the muscles reach a point where recuperation becomes difficult, and this is where negative side effects begin to surface. The bodybuilder feels weaker, the amount of weight used must be reduced, and the desire that once existed for bodybuilding fades, to the point where workouts are skipped, and muscle mass soon begins to sharply decline. Some have the wherewithal to continue their bodybuilding workout plan despite these side effects, and what soon follows is the enemy of any bodybuilder who wishes to produce maximum results; a string of injuries, from joint pain to muscle strains, and possibly, in certain cases, muscle tears that can prevent weight training for months, attacking hard earned muscle gains, and this all can stem from a prolonged high volume bodybuilding approach.
Those who understand the effectiveness of volume techniques for producing muscle gains hesitate to make any modifications to their routine, especially if the proposal requires volume to be reduced by a substantial margin, but this short sighted idea fails to contemplate the downside of long term, high volume bodybuilding workout sessions outlined earlier, and, in the long run, overall muscle gains decline dramatically due to unexpected layoffs.
What is the resolution that allows a weight lifter to produce maximum muscle mass without injuries, loss of motivation, or psychological trauma? A concept known as cycling, which many weight lifters have heard of, but do not integrate because of either confusion as to its importance, or simply not knowing how to properly cycle a bodybuilding workout plan for maximum results. The key is to embrace a lower volume bodybuilding workload at the point when workout sessions begin to feel overwhelming, as this allows the muscles and mind an opportunity to recover without the substantial muscle loss that accompanies missed bodybuilding workouts. In addition, the lower volume bodybuilding workout cycle allows joints to experience a period of recovery that is especially beneficial, as the discomfort that many times accompanies lengthy periods of high volume bodybuilding workout sessions will force less weight to be used, and interfere with the muscle building process.
The other advantage of cycling lower volume bodybuilding workouts as opposed to a constant high volume approach is muscle preservation, as normally, a weight lifter who seeks prolonged higher volume finds that he or she must vacation from weights due to mental or physical burnout, and during this prolonged vacation, muscle mass is lost, which takes time to regain once bodybuilding is resumed, and is essentially wasted effort. This ineffective approach is thwarted when cycling lower volume bodybuilding workout sessions, as muscle mass is sustained during a lower set focus, and when higher volume bodybuilding workout sessions are once again integrated, the body will be able to continue gaining muscle without the prerequisite muscle regain period that accompanies excessive vacations from weight training.
Weight lifters who have relied upon high volume workout sessions may hesitate to begin cycling lower volume, with the fear that they will negatively interfere with long term muscle building, but if they realize that one major injury, which can easily result from continuous high volume bodybuilding workouts, will potentially cost them a great percentage of the muscle they spend so much time building, then lower volume bodybuilding workout sessions begin to convey their true meaning and benefit, which is to enhance the chance that a weight lifter will have the ability to consistently train with high intensity, a concept that is vital in producing the best possible muscle gains. The proper weight lifting and bodybuilding diet routine is crucial in producing maximum muscle mass, but even a perfectly constructed muscle building system is of little impact if the weight lifter is not capable of maintaining consistent bodybuilding workout sessions, with only occasional vacations (preferably around holidays, for spending time with family). Cycling high with low volume bodybuilding workout plans will provide the weight lifter dramatic muscle mass increase without prolonged periods of lethargy, inconsistency, illness, and injury that accompany prolonged high volume bodybuilding workout sessions.
Article by Francesco A. Castano
About the Author
Francesco Castano authors MuscleNOW.com, a weight training program for muscle gain without supplements or drugs. He also owns IncrediBody.com, an online fitness superstore selling protein powder at guaranteed lowest prices.