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Unlocking the Science Behind Progressive Overload and Muscle Growth and Health
Gaining lean muscle mass and strength is a goal for many – and recent research has helped to shed light on one of the most beneficial training strategies out there: progressive overload. This strategy has been used for decades by fitness pros and athletes, and often rules the world of bodybuilding. But what is progressive overload and how does it work?
What Is Progressive Overload?
Put simply, progressive overload is the act of increasing the tension of a particular exercise over time. This increase in resistance or tension is also referred to as increasing the workload and is a great way to advance your capabilities and gain strength. The idea is that by placing increased need on both the muscles and the body as a whole, your muscles will have to work harder to perform the same task. This encourages your body to accept the challenge and build muscle in order to meet it.
How Does Progressive Overload Aid in Muscle Growth and Health?
The key behind progressive overload is being able to challenge your body and push it further, which leads to increased muscle size, strength, and endurance. As your workout progresses and you increase the intensity and resistance, your body is forced to adapt. It is a gradual process, and the most gains will be seen when exercised no less than three times a week.
Benefits of Progressive Overload
Progressive overload helps build muscle, strength, and endurance. It also improves circulation which can help your body to recover faster. Additionally, this type of workout increases your heart-rate and can help burn fat more quickly. It also teaches your body to perform better, as you’re providing it with a challenge and teaching it to become stronger and faster.
How to Implement Progressive Overload
When it comes to progressive overload, it’s best to approach it gradually. Start by selecting an exercise or two and setting realistic goals. Stick to the same routine and gradually increase the intensity and resistance each time you work out. As you gain strength, you may need to increase the number of reps you do or add weights to create more resistance.
Conclusion
Progressive overload is a fantastic way to incorporate strength training into your workouts and to help you gain both muscle AND health. An important tip to remember is to pay attention to your body and make sure you don’t overdo it. Listen to your body and always start out small. With time and patience, building muscle will become easier and you’ll start noticing results.
