Hard Gainers

What is a “hard gainer?” Well if you are one, it needs no explanation, but where most are trying to lose weight and struggle with that process there are those of us that have a hard time gaining weight. Let me qualify that…good, lean weight. Some people are just blessed with a high metabolism and a thin frame and look. Many times these folks would like to gain a bit of size and add to their shape but find it difficult to do so. It is challenging because it means, just as for someone trying to lose weight that a person needs to step out of what they know or think they know to accomplish this goal.

Being dedicated to a particular goal means making choices to fulfill your desire. As long as the desire is a healthy one and you can keep a perspective and a balance to your goals you can move in a direction that takes you to them. So in trying to gain size and weight first and foremost your eating habits would have to change. You must eat balanced and healthy and depending on your circumstance you must eat a fair amount of food. You do not gorge yourself but you eat smart directed toward gaining healthy weight and size fueling the body to make positives gains in lean muscle weight and still maintain a good body fat percentage.

You should change your routine if you are trying to gain size. There are all kinds of power routines and suggestions to get you size and while they might work for some people they may not be best for you. Find what works for you or talk to a trainer with some experience in this area. Yes you may have to lift heavy but not as often and not for as many sets or reps as you are trying now. Trying to gain means giving your body what it needs to recover from strenuous workouts. Plenty or rest between sessions and not overtraining body parts makes for greater gains along with proper nutrition.

Exercising doesn’t mean just lifting weights, it means doing things smart. There are many schools of thought here but mine is from the inside out. Eat well lift right. I see many young men trying to “get big” and doing things that in the long run will hurt them. Exercising to get big still requires form and thinking to make solid lasting gains in size without getting hurt. Hard gainers will find moving up in size, quality size, is hard work, but very rewarding. Remember that getting size for size sake is not just about gaining weight. It is about creating a healthy balance between what your body naturally does and what goals you establish yourself based on those factors.

So think about this if you are thin and find it hard gaining weight. Learn what foods do for you if you eat well. Learn how to lift to accomplish your goals safely and remember you are blessed with a good body you just want to move it to the next level. If you want to be a bodybuilder that is fine…learn what that takes naturally because it IS NOT about taking a shot! There are no short cuts just good ole fashion hard workouts.

"Am I Doing This Right?"

“Am I doing this right?” How many times have you asked yourself that question in the gym? Some might not want to admit it or even think they are doing something less than stellar for some fear of being embarrassed, but that is the surest way to increase your chance of injury. Try these three things to make sure you are doing things right…

Use the mirrors. I know you might not want to look at yourself and or you think your balance is better if you are looking at the ground but the mirror is a tool and there for you to watch your form. You can see when your shoulders are too high or your back is slumped. Use that mirror to make sure your form perfect.

Keep a good posture. If you are standing and sitting up straight and you are keeping your core engaged (abs, back, hips, shoulders) then you are already 80% done with your exercise. Having good posture is essential in almost every you are doing in the gym so make it a focus.

Slow down the movement and make sure you are feeling it in the muscle you are trying to work before zipping through the exercise. If you experiencing discomfort in your neck while working your arms then guess what…something is a little off. Relax, re-adjust yourself and concentrate on whatever muscle group you are working so that you feel the movement where you are supposed to and not in other spots.

The expression, I am sure you have heard of, “no pain, no gain”, does not apply here at all. To make sure you are doing exercises correctly follow these simple steps and try not to over think it all and mostly have fun. Keep looking to Primetrainingonline.com for fitness tips and hints to ensure you are getting the most from your workouts and that you are doing things correctly and progressing in your fitness. Train smart, have fun and be fit.