Building muscle and reducing fat can help you maintain your health and build self-confidence. To see results, it’s important to work with a qualified personal trainer, maintain a healthy diet, and give yourself enough rest. To help you design a muscle-building routine, here are a few tips.

A Guide to Building Muscle

1. Incorporate Regular Training Sessions

Building muscle takes consistency and dedication, including regular sessions in the gym. Working with a personal trainer will boost your efforts. They will teach you proper form, offer nutrition tips, and motivate you. If you prefer to work out with a larger group, classes like yoga will help you target multiple muscle groups, including your chest, core, and legs.  

2. Take Rest Days

While regular exercise is crucial for muscle-building, so is rest. In fact, you gain the most muscle when your body is resting, especially during sleep. Get at least eight hours every night, and set aside two days a week to take it easy. Skimping on much-needed rest will reverse your muscle-building progress and can lead to injury. For example, you may drop heavy weights, if your body is too tired to carry them. 

3. Stick to a Healthy Diet

To build muscle, you need to eat more than you usually do. Eat substantial meals on gym-heavy days, particularly after each workout session. Incorporate about one gram of protein per pound of body weight on exercise days. The body will break it down into amino acids, which are crucial for building muscle. Some healthy sources of protein include meat, fish, and eggs. If you’re doing cardio-heavy exercise, increase your carbohydrate intake to maintain the body’s glucose stores. Otherwise, your body will deplete muscle to meet its energy needs.

When you want to work with a qualified personal trainer, contact LifeSport Athletic Club in Lake County, IL. As a community staple for over 40 years, this beloved sports club has provided their customers with everything from functional training and yoga classes to tennis instruction. To get in touch with a personal trainer, call (847) 913-2000. Visit them online for more information.