How to Build Huge Trapezius Muscles with New Trap Exercises
Posted by Klint Newton | Filed under Health & Fitness
How many times have you witnessed someone trying to do shrugs with an unreasonable amount of weight. I have seen guys trying to use 110lbs dumbbells in each hand. This doesn’t seem effective and is quite frankly rediculous. There are many exercises that can work your “traps” or Trapezius muscles, other than extreme weight shrugs.
So I asked him why he was doing what he was doing. He said, “Traps are where it’s at!” I tend to agree with him.
Your trapezius muscles sit on your shoulders and span from the edge of your shoulders all the way to your neck.
If your traps aren’t developed just be glad they they can be the biggest improvement in your overall look, and grow really quickly. With well developed traps, you will raise the bar from looking like a regular Joe to looking like a body builder.
Trapezius “Trap” Exercises
People assume the only way to build traps is to do the classic exercise, shoulder shrugs. It is a good exercise, but it’s not the only exercise. Shrugs have been around for ages and are a core move to develop traps. Just as squats are to developing hamstrings, shrugs are a power lift for traps, but there are actually other, more effective ways. Here is a routine that will help devel to develop the traps you desire.
1. Shrugs 3 sets X 10 - 12 reps
These had to be included, they are the key to a successful trap training. Now I know we have all done shrugs before, but I would like to included a few tips. Now I know that when I use the standard shrug form and fully contract my traps, they end up hitting my neck resulting in a limited contraction. If you push your head as far forwardas possible, it will remove your neck from the range of motion and allow your traps to fully contract. Once you have flexed your traps, hold the position for two seconds and slowly release. It is also good to sit on a bench to avoid cheating.
2. Lateral Raises, with Traps Flared 3 X 12 - 15
This can be a much harder move than the shrug. The first thing you want to do is flare your traps with the dumbbells in your hands. Next you will perform a lateral raise. This is just like a lateral raise done for shoulders, but with your traps flared, most of the pressure is put on your traps. You will want to start with 12 to 15 reps and not very much weight to maintain proper form and get used to the movement.
3. Bent over lateral raises, with Traps Flared 3 X 10 - 12
This is the same movement as the lateral raise, but you want to bend at the waist at about a 45 degree angle. This is great because it will hit the back of your traps. The rear traps are impressive because from behind you will look even more built, defined and strong.
These couple moves will greatly increase the size of your traps. Just add a few sets of each to the end of your workouts. If you are doing a split routine and work your deltoids (shoulders) on a seperate day, these exercises would fit in perfectly on that day.
Once you get started on this, sit back and prepare to watch your traps explode!
Learn more about how to gain muscle. Stop by Klint Newton’s site where you can find out all about the best way to gain muscle.
Tags: building muscle, exercise, fitness, health, Health & Fitness, health and fitness, muscle, muscle building, training, workouts
Discover How to Determine Daily Calorie Intake for Gaining Muscle
Posted by Cecil Kelly | Filed under Health & Fitness
Adequate nutrition and calories from good sources are of primary importance to gain lean muscle. You need to eat big to bulk up; there is no way around it. But exactly how much is “big”? Use the formula given here to calculate your own requirements.
Muscle building programs revolve around optimizing daily caloric needs to your specific requirements. Eating more can make you gain fat, not muscle. And eating less can make you never gain the bulky muscles you wish to build. Here is the four part formula:
1) Calculating lean muscle mass: For this measurement you need a skin caliper which will give you percentage of body fat. Consider your percentage of body fat comes to 10% and you weigh–0 lb. That means your fat mass is– lb. Now to calculate lean muscle mass, subtract fat mass from total body mass. In this case it comes to–0-14=126lb.
2) Find RMR (resting metabolic rate): RMR, the number calories a day you require to just keep on breathing, can be calculated by multiplying lean muscle mass by 10 and adding 500. In our example, it works out to 1760 calories (126 x 10 + 500).
3) Calculating calorie intake to maintain current weight: To find out how many calories you need per day to maintain your current weight, multiply your RMR by Activity Index. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, your activity index is 1.2. If you lead a moderate lifestyle, your activity index is 1.4. And if you lead an active lifestyle, your activity index is 1.6.
Consider that you have a moderate level of activity. Therefore you’ll need 1760 x 1.4 i.e. 2464 calories each day to maintain your weight.
4) Positive calorie intake to gain muscle mass: To gain muscle not fat, you need to eat about 500 more calories per day than the number you have calculated in the previous step. If you are indeed gaining fat you should cut down your intake by 250 calories and see how it goes. While if you are not building muscle it is essential to consume 250 additional calories.
Make a 15 day nutrition plan and see whether you are progressing in the right direction. If you hit the right plan and also exercise and rest correctly, there’s no stopping you from turning into a hulk in weeks.
To find out more about muscle building, check out Cecil Kelly’s excellent articles on weight training.
Tags: body building, bodybuilding, exercise, fitness, health, Health & Fitness, muscle building, muscles, weight loss, weight training
Tips to Effectively Increase Your Musle Mass
Posted by Kent Rogerson | Filed under Health & Fitness
Almost everybody wants to have some muscles, except sumo wrestlers. If you want to gain muscles the fastest way, then you must design a very effective muscle building routine and stick to it. You must set your goals and really dedicate yourself in achieving them.
Aside from the usual exercise machines, there are some products out there that can help increase your muscle mass in no time. That said, you need to be careful if you so choose to use these bodybuilding products to help you achieve your goal. Remember, not all you hear and see are true, especially if they promise quick results.
Have you heard of protein bars and shakes that are purportedly created to assist you gain muscle mass in less time? Well, some of them do bring the anticipated results. A whole lot of them do not. When you want to test out any product that swears to give you muscles, it is sensible that you ask for an expert judgment first.
But still, nothing compares to building muscles the old fashioned way.You have to carry some weights, stick to your exercise routines, and really watch what you eat. You might be in some pain but as what the old saying says, no pain, no gain.
Speaking of diet, you can help gain more muscle mass by greatly reducing or eliminating your saturated fats intake. You need to feast on essential fats since they really take good care of your body. Take out some fatty items from your menu like French fries, burgers, and hotdogs.
Taking in vitamins and essential minerals is a sure way to increase your muscle mass is to partake essential vitamins and minerals. This will give your body an extra boost once you go out and do your routines. Rest is also an essential ingredient inn muscle building. Letting your muscles get enough rest is very beneficial. Overworking your muscles, contrary to popular belief, hinders the growth of your muscle tissues. Allowing them to rest makes them more prone to fatigue It would be best if you take at least six hours of sleep every day.
There is always no substitute for hard work. You have to understand that muscle building will always be a lengthy process and that there are no quick fixes. The truth is you need to earn it. You need to will yourself to realize your goals. It might take you some time, but if you are really dedicated to your goals, then all your hard work will be worthwhile.
Want to know how to build muscle fast? Well you’ll find some great articles and resources if you visit our site. Check out our reviews of the best selling programs including the 7 minute muscle review today.
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