How To Gain Muscles

To avoid muscle and joint injury, it is important to carry out warm up and stretching exercises prior to any fitness training workout. This is not the only thing that it is important to remember if you intend to carry our fitness programs. Many people consider it unnecessary but people who do not perform stretching movements before and after a workout are more likely to hurt themselves. Almost everyone knows that stretching before workout prevents injuries, but only a few people know that stretching after workout, when muscles are still warm, can increase flexibility.

For most warm-ups it is quite acceptable to hold a stretching position for twenty seconds but to really extend the muscles groups and joint flexibility, this should be lengthened to one minute. Many people make the mistake of stretching and returning to their original position to quickly when the movement should be slow and measured. The way to do this is to maintain the position of a few seconds and then return because it is possible to either strain or pull muscles or joints if you return to the starting position too quickly. Work slowly in increments instead of immediately proceeding to doing the hardest exercise or position so make sure that you have stretched or warmed up all muscle groups.

Another neglected area to stretch and warm up is the neck, it's amazing how many people forget even though it is not difficult to do, in fact all it requires is the palm of the hand being placed on the forehead and pushing against it; this can be repeated for the back and sides. By performing stretching exercises, whether at the gym or not will increase both your flexibility but help increase your strength and improve your breathing and fitness training as well. Do not overstretch your self performing exercises you are not yet ready for just because there are others who can as this will cause further problems; work to your own pace. Do not expect your body to be able to carry out the same exercises and level of training every time you go to the gym because some days you will have a better workout than others; this is perfectly normal and to be expected.

It is normally advised you don't work the same muscle groups consecutively for two days when fitness training as muscle grows during the period when you rest and not when you are working out. The best exercises you can perform at the gym are those that will help your heart, lungs and stamina; called aerobic exercises they can include a whole host of regimes including running, stepping, rowing plus many more, all of which need large amounts of oxygen in the blood. Many people find music good for exercise, especially something with a regular beat that can be worked to; of course mp3 players are ideal for this. Even though every mp3 player or instance comes complete with a set of headphones, it will be a worthwhile investment buying a decent pair as there is less likelihood of any sound leakage; other people just might not want to listen to your choice in music! Stretching your body is a form of exercise in itself and a pleasant way to relax at the end of a hard day so it is worth doing regularly even if you do not want to workout.