Why Volume Based Weight Lifting Workout Plans Can Prevent Muscle Gain

Any individual who has pursued bodybuilding with the goal of dramatically enhancing muscle mass knows that volume is one of the most effective factors in fostering such results. Most who understand the effectiveness of higher volume bodybuilding workout sessions find themselves seemingly addicted to exercise, spending many hours each week performing countless weight lifting sets, attempting to attack their body with as much effort as possible.

The problem is, by performing high volume bodybuilding sessions on a prolonged basis, the muscles reach a point where recuperation becomes difficult, and this is where problems begin to develop. The bodybuilder feels weaker, the amount of weight used in each exercise declines, and the motivation that once existed for bodybuilding fades, to the point where workouts are skipped, and muscle size soon begins to significantly decline. Some have the discipline to continue their bodybuilding workouts despite these symptoms, and what soon surfaces is the enemy of any bodybuilder who seeks maximum results; an onslaught of injuries, from joint pain to muscle strains, and even, in extreme cases, muscle tears that can sideline a weight lifter for months, destroying hard earned muscle gains, and this all can result from a prolonged high volume bodybuilding approach.

Those who comprehend the effectiveness of high volume techniques for producing muscle gains are weary of making any changes to their workout plan, especially if they are urged to reduce volume by a substantial margin, but this short sighted approach fails to consider the negative impact of long term, high volume bodybuilding workout plans outlined earlier, and, in the long run, overall muscle gains suffer significantly due to unexpected layoffs.

So, what is the solution that allows a weight lifter to produce maximum muscle building without injuries, lack of motivation, or emotional breakdown? A concept known as cycling, which many weight lifters have heard of, but do not implement due to either misinformation as to its importance, or simply not understanding how to properly cycle a bodybuilding workout session for impressive results. The key is to adopt a lower volume bodybuilding workload when workout sessions begin to feel burdensome, as this allows the mind and muscles an opportunity to recover without the substantial muscle loss that accompanies missed bodybuilding workouts. In addition, the reduced volume bodybuilding workout cycle allows joints and tendons to experience a period of recovery that is extremely beneficial, as the pain that many times accompanies lengthy periods of high volume bodybuilding workout plans will force less weight to be used, and interfere with the muscle building process.

The other distinct advantage of cycling lower volume bodybuilding workouts compared with a constant high volume approach is muscle retention, as normally, a weight lifter who seeks prolonged higher volume finds that he or she must vacation from weights due to mental or physical burnout, and during this extended vacation, muscle mass is lost, which takes time to regain once bodybuilding is resumed, and is essentially wasted effort. This ineffective approach is thwarted when cycling lower volume bodybuilding workout sessions, as muscle is sustained during a lower set period, and when higher volume bodybuilding workout sessions are once again integrated, the body will be able to continue gaining muscle without the wasteful muscle regain period that accompanies prolonged vacations from weight training.

Weight lifters who have relied upon high volume workout sessions may resist cycling lower volume, with the fear that they will hamper long term muscle gains, but if they realize that one serious injury, which can easily result from prolonged high volume bodybuilding workouts, will potentially burn a great percentage of the muscle they spend so much time building, then lower volume bodybuilding workout plans begin to convey their true meaning and purpose, which is to increase the chance that a weight lifter will have the capability of consistently training with sufficient intensity, a concept that is critical in producing the best possible muscle gains. A potent weight lifting and bodybuilding diet routine is extremely important in producing maximum muscle gains, but even a perfectly constructed muscle building system is of no impact if the weight lifter is unable to maintain consistent bodybuilding workout sessions, with only occasional vacations (such as around holidays, for spending time with family and friends). Cycling low and high volume bodybuilding workout plans will provide the weight lifter significant muscle mass increase without prolonged periods of fatigue, inconsistency, sickness, and injury that result from prolonged high volume bodybuilding workout sessions.

Francesco Castano authors MuscleNOW.com, a workout plan for building muscle mass without supplements or drugs. He also owns FatVanish.com, where you will find his natural weight loss diet program.