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Weight Training - Overload Principle To Build Muscle & Strength

Weight Training - Overload Principle To Build Muscle & Strength

Each individual's capabilities are determined by their genetic makeup. Individuals with increased neuromuscular efficiency incorporate greater numbers of muscle fibers during contraction and therefore have the advantage in strength potentials. In general, men have more testosterone than women and therefore have a greater potential for accelerated growth.

Muscles have a tendency to adapt to repeated stimulus, thereby, requiring less energy and effort to execute the same task. This can inhibit muscle growth (hypertrophy) or fat loss that we are trying to achieve. There are two types of overload principles:

• Increasing Weights - increases muscle size.
  
• Increasing Repetitions - increases muscle strength with less growth in size.

If you over-stimulate the muscle, growth in strength and size will be inhibited. The levels of overstimulation are dependent on each individual. It would be unreasonable to double the amount of weights. Make sure that you can do at least 4 to 6 repetitions.

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Content Provided by International Fitness Association