About Muscle Building Workouts for Men

When it comes to men and muscle building workouts, they are as analogous as pumpkin is to pie. If you are currently an avid gym goer, you are already familiar with the question "How much can you bench?" Other than pushing a heavy weighted bar off your chest several times in a row, there is a little more to the equation. Here are some ideas to consider about muscle building workouts for men.

Significance

Muscle mass is significant as we age. According to the Alliance for Aging Research, muscle begins to deteriorate at about middle age and continues at a rate of 1percent every year thereafter.

Function

Muscle building workouts for men function as a way to maintain strength, balance and proper movement. Some men build muscle for better appearance and aesthetic reasons, such as bodybuilding competitions.

Types

The most effective muscle building workouts are the ones that incorporate the most amount of muscle fiber. These are called compound exercises.

Exercises

Examples of compound exercises include squats, bench presses, dead lifts, snatches and military presses. These exercises can be performed with barbells or dumbbells.

Identification

Pre- and post-workout meals are important to gain muscle mass. You need to have plentiful energy to work out, and you need to replenish your energy quickly after you work out.

Considerations

Muscle needs to be progressively overloaded to grow. To effectively do this, lift heavy weights, do low reps, do a high number of sets and take long rest periods. An example of this would be 10 sets of 3 to 5 reps with 2- to 4-minute rest periods.

Theories/Speculation

Another important aspect of muscle building is getting enough sleep. During sleep is when the body regenerates and rebuilds. According to the Centers for Disease Control, adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night.

Resources

• Muscle loss
• Sleep requirements