Muscle Building Information

Increase Your Training Intensity - Negative Repetitions


You can only build muscle tissue if you can generate progressively stronger muscular contractions, so this calls for an emphasis on finding ways to increase exercise intensity. This should not be confused with exercise duration as maximum training intensity will actually shorten the time needed to achieve maximal muscular growth.

In an earlier article I outlined the ways in which you can intensify your training. Here we'll focus on the role that negative repetitions have to play in intensifying the training effect.

At the most basic level, human muscles have three types of strength:

1. Positive strength - the ability to raise a weight.

2. Static strength - the ability to hold a weight.

3. Negative strength - the ability to lower a weight.

Many bodybuilders concentrate primarily on their muscles' positive and static strength but equal focus should be given to negative strength, or lowering the weight, if true muscle failure is to be achieved. You can emphasize this aspect of training by completing a set of negative reps after reaching positive failure.

You'll need one or two partners to lift the weight to the top position so that you can lower it under your own control. Once you can no longer control the descent, the set ends. Take special care with leg exercises and avoid negative squats to protect the knees.

Beginners should not attempt negative reps while intermediate and advanced bodybuilders can be imaginative in how they incorporate negative reps into their training programs.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.


MORE RESOURCES:

Examiner.com

Can I build muscle and keep my six pack??
Examiner.com - Jun 29, 2008
Yes, you can keep your six pack and build muscle. However, it is extremely difficult and you almost need to hire a nutritionist to do it. ...


Secrets of Longevity:
Santa Monica Mirror, CA - 1 hour ago
L-cysteine may also help boost immunity, protect you from heart disease, and build muscle. It is also useful for combating inflammation and encouraging ...


Best Syndication

7 Anti Aging Superfoods
Best Syndication, CA - 2 hours ago
When it comes to proteins, they do two things for you; they build muscle, and they inhibit your body’s ability to take in carbohydrates. ...


The verdict on energy foods from around the world
Foster's Daily Democrat, NH - 12 hours ago
VERDICT: Protein can help build muscle and carbohydrates (barley) consumed before competition can improve endurance, but the folks from this era probably ...


Takeover facing hurdle
The Canberra Times, Australia - Jul 22, 2008
The horse was not allowed to run in the Hong Kong Sprint after testing positive for a steroid that can build muscle. Janiak says the steroid was recommended ...


What's right in world of 'roids?
StarNewsOnline.com, NC - 22 hours ago
At issue is anabolic steroids, specifically using the drugs to build muscle mass. Bell admits he's done it but feels ambivalent about it. ...


Peak Performance looks to change local athletes
Georgetown News Democrat, OH - Jul 23, 2008
Whether your goal is to lose weight, build muscle, improve your game or run a marathon, the staff at Peak Performance in Georgetown is sure it has the ...


Doping controversy and cricket
Hindu, India - Jul 17, 2008
“You have these anabolic steroids that help build muscle mass and strength,” he says. Anabolic steroids are common among those pursuing power sports; ...


Life with a Magic Bullet
Danbury News Times, CT - Jul 23, 2008
"And build muscle," he says. "I work out at a gym every morning before I go to the office. I've lost 35 pounds." And no, Maier, who is 49, is not a salesman ...


West Valley's Burton dropping pounds to pick up basketball scholarship
Press-Enterprise, CA - Jul 22, 2008
But the goal is to trim body fat and build muscle mass. Joe Burton averaged 21 points and 16 rebounds in leading Hemet West Valley to its first CIF title ...

Build-Muscle - Google News

home | site map
© 2006