Building muscle vs. lengthening it?

Question

I know that fast, light repetitions do one andslow, heavy ones do the other, but which is which? I've been told opposite things by different people. I have huge muscle bulks that don't do much and I would like to slim them down.

Answer 1

it is physiologically impossible to lengthen a muscle permanently through exercise. to accomplish this you would have to shorten the tendon that attaches it to bone. the length of a muscle is fixed, this is basic human anatomy. anyone that say any different obviously doesn't know jack about human anatomy.

Answer 2

You need to include a lot of stretching in your training sessions, AND your daily 'non-exercise' time (perform a stretch routine on waking, and before going to bed).

The idea that muscles cannot be lengthened IS A MYTH !

(Muscles operate by changing their length; strengthening their 'contraction ability' causes their average length to shorten (they spend more of their time tightening up), and relaxation exercises (including stretching) can teach them to 'let go' more of the time, so that their average length increases.)

For example, the length of your 'hamstring' muscles (Bicep Fem, Semiten & Semimem) limits your hip flexibility. Any exercise that allows you to 'touch your toes' more easily, can ONLY do this by letting your hamstrings lengthen more.

Christa is right: Pilates and Yoga specialise in this kind of work (for all bodyparts), and you can dramatically change your figure by taking up these forms of exercise. Climbing and swimming also involve a lot of 'reaching out' movements, and can have a similar effect on your physique.

Changing your weight training technique or routine won't really help; lighter weights and longer sets won't PRODUCE as much bulk as heavier, shorter sets do, but they won't REMOVE bulk that you already have.

(Weight training uses the opposite kind of movement (inward, or 'concentric') to the 'extensive' kind found in yoga, climbing etc. Gentle concentric contractions are still 'teaching' your muscles to prefer 'shortening behaviour', even if they do this more gently than harder contractions do.

Answer 3

in the adventure that your used to working on the treadmill on 0% incline then outdoors is greater good (bodily - mentally relies upon on the guy), nowhere outdoors is without a doubt flat like the treadmill is, the better incline you have it on the greater like outdoors working it is. no longer having the ability to administration the climate and so forth. makes it greater difficult aswell. additionally the treadmill will take in most of the effect as you land, the line won't accomplish that; this might flow away your mucles feeling greater achy, as there will be greater micro tearing on your muscle tissues, that's time-honored and entirely risk-free as long as you enable relax. making specific you have proper cushioned footwear is as a effect lots greater substantial on the line than the treadmill.

Answer 4

Lighter weights with more reps (Three sets of 15 reps) tone and give muscle definition.

Heavy weights and less reps (Three sets of failing between 8 and 10 reps) will build muscle bulk

Answer 5

Try doing lighter weights with more reps.

Answer 6

You could also try yoga and/or pilates.... works well for building lean muscle. :)