I’ve made it pretty clear in my other articles that I don’t believe supplements are necessary to build muscle. I still contend that you can gain a significant amount of muscle safely and naturally. Weightlifting supplements are not mandatory (and I hope you’re not even thinking of taking steroids).

In this article, I wanted to tackle an interesting question that came up recently in one of my conversations. Why do bodybuilding supplements sell so well? I’m mainly referring to the weightlifting or bodybuilding companies. I’m not referring to general supplement products such as vitamins, minerals, probiotics, etc. Some of this may indeed apply to these kinds of supplement companies, but I think in general they tend to be more legitimate than bodybuilding supplements. So I really want to focus on weightlifting supplements specifically.

I’ve talked about why the supplements are unnecessary before. There are also some great comprehensive programs that teach you how to build muscle effectively without any supplements. However, let’s get back to the question of why they’re successful.

Bodybuilding supplement companies have had a great success because most people tend to look for the easy way out. Bodybuilding naturally may not be that glamorous, but it is effective. After all, if you could take a pill every day that would magically deliver muscles without having to do any of the work, that would be a pretty good deal wouldn’t it? The problem is that this kind of scenario doesn’t really exist in the real world.

There are couple scenarios which tend to occur when people use bodybuilding supplements. The first possibility is that the trainee experiences significant gains which he then attributes to the supplements. Even though his workout routine and nutritional plan may have been mostly or even solely responsible for his results, it’s easy to think that the bodybuilding supplements have done most of the work.

Another possibility is that many will rely exclusively on the supplements and have no results to show for it. In this case, the trainee will probably jump from one supplement to the next trying to find the magic bullet. In the end, the company continues to make money because this new trainee keeps looking for the easy way out. And of course, if this aspiring bodybuilder ever figures it out, someone else will step in his place and send more money to supplement companies.

The bottom line is that supplements are not necessary for you to build a muscular physique. Relying on muscle building supplements can leave you disappointed and broke! Do yourself a favor and find a comprehensive muscle building program that teaches you how to build muscle naturally.

——

If you would like to learn more about how to build lean muscle , visit Jon Cardozo’s Web site at http://maximum-muscle-gain.com. Learn the secrets to building a muscular physique and avoid the myths of the bodybuilding industry. Brought to you by Jcardozium.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_560667_23.html

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Getting that great 6 pack abs is not all about exercise. In fact, all that 6 pack abs workout is meaningless if your belly still has layers of fat. You can firm up and sculpt your abs but the fat remains � and covers up your hard work - if you do not eat right. A pot belly is still a pot belly and a love handle is still a love handle even if you have amazing abdominal muscles beneath the fat.

The good news, though, is with the proper abs diet, you can have that sexy 6 pack abs. And, you need not exert so much time and effort in workout as the body will already be shedding fat � even without strenuous activity. Eating right is a very crucial step to get that steaming hot abs.

Below are some simple diet tips to help you lose belly fat fast and get that 6 pack abs quicker:

1) Eat small, well-distributed meals throughout the day. Aside from the usual breakfast, lunch and dinner, you may want to include a morning and afternoon snack as well. Eating this way keeps the body�s metabolism going and makes fat burning easier. Fast metabolism can translate to fast abs.

2) Choose foods high in fiber. Aside from detoxifying the body, fiber is lower in calories and fills you up without the fat. So instead of that white bread or white rice, opt for whole grains and brown rice. Stack up on fruits and vegetables.

3) Build muscle with healthy protein. To “build” your hot 6 pack abs, eat healthy protein like tuna, salmon, eggs, almonds, cottage cheese, among others. Protein also boosts metabolism.

4) Get energy from complex carbohydrates. When it comes to toning your abs or tummy, complex carbohydrates may be not so complex. These carbs are simple, straightforward solutions. Eat complex carbs so that lesser sugar is converted to body fat. Green leafy vegetables, legumes, and root crops like sweet potatoes are excellent complex carbohydrates.

5) Cut down on sodium. Sodium bloats the stomach. Avoid salty foods like chips. Besides, these contain lots of fat anyway. Also, ease up on the seasoning when you�re cooking. Higher salt content in food can stimulate your appetite instead of curbing it. And if you want those ripped abs, you won�t aim to eat more.

6) Lessen alcohol intake. Like sodium, alcohol can also bloat the stomach. Plus, they are additional calories you need to burn. Imagine the washboard abs you can get if you don�t drink that next bottle.

7) Drink right. Keep your body hydrated with plenty of water. Water is also a good appetite controller.

Combine this effective abs diet tips with strategic cardiovascular and abs workout, and your dream of having sexy, 6 pack abs gets closer everyday.

Self-help expert Michael Lee has prepared a FREE extreme fat-burning course that reveals secrets on quick weight loss and how to lose belly fat fast at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/fat-secret.htm

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Author: Aaron Patterson

Strengthening your core muscles is very important to your overall fitness and fat loss. Core muscles cover the length of the torso and are important forbalance, stabilizing your torso, protecting your spine, and more. Building your core muscles is the best way to build firm abs, a sexy back, and a well defined chest. These exercises specifically target the core area so that you can get ripped fast.</p>
<p><strong>Stability Ball

Stability balls are universally used for core building. Balancing your body on the ball while you do standard exercises like sit-ups, crunches, and planks focuses the stress of the movement on the core muscles.

Try this stability ball modified plank:

Rest your stomach on the ball. Put your legs straight out behind you with your feet together. Raise your body on your forearms so that they are the shape of an “L”. Hold your body in this position, keeping your back muscles and abs tight, for a count of five seconds. Go back to starting position. Do this for three sets of five.

To make the workout more intense on the core muscles, make sure to clinch your stomach muscles while you perform each movement. Remember to breathe, though.

Abdominal Bracing

Abdominal bracing is something you can do no matter where you are to build your core. First, stand up as straight as possible. Imagine a string is pulling your head higher and higher until it can’t go any farther. Next, pull in your ab muscles, imagining that your navel is touching your spine. Hold the pose for five seconds and release. Practice these moves and you will find yourself feeling firmer and standing taller in just days. In no time at all you will be gaining muscle faster than you ever imagined. The benefits of this approach really add up when you combine it with a good exercise plan, like this No Nonsense Muscle Building review</a>.</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><p>The author, Aaron Patterson, went from couch potato to kickboxer in less than a year! His favorite passion is helping people get off their butts and start leading healthier, more active lives through his Website, <a href=”http://www.eliminatetheweight.com”>http://www.articlesbase.com/muscle-building-articles/how-to-get-ripped-core-muscles-543457.html

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There seems to be some misconceptions on the effects of a military-style training program. I have had numerous young men tell me that they intend to undergo a military-style workout via muscle building program DVDs in order to build large amounts of muscle and gain strength quickly. Unfortunately, this is a misguided application of the typical military fitness program.

You see, a boot camp program typically consists of 3 primary factors:

1. Lots of endurance training.

Long marches and runs, often with heavy backpacks are very common. These are done daily, and often more than once per day.

2. Lots of calisthenics.

Push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squat thrusts, and just about anything else that you can do with your bodyweight. These are done throughout the day for hundreds of reps.

3. A restricted diet.

Don�t expect to be eating any gourmet food or your favorite dessert. Everyone eats the same thing and you don�t get to go back for a second-helping.

When you look at the three factors above I think you can begin to understand why boot camp programs are not ideal for those looking to build muscle or strength. Instead, the above three factors make boot camp style training a well-oiled fat-burning machine. Unfortunately, for those of us with some additional muscle mass, you will also find that boot camp training will burn up a good amount of muscle as well.

Keep these factors in mind the next time you see a muscle building program DVD touting the benefits of a boot camp-style training program. It�s great for getting into basic shape, but not for building huge muscles or extreme levels of strength.

In order to build strength and muscle at the fastest rate you need a training and nutrition program that is designed specifically for your goals. If you are unsure how to design the optimal program for you, I highly suggest checking out the Athletic Muscle Building program.

Find more reviews of muscle building program DVDs and get a FREE report on muscle building called “The 13 Reasons You Suck at Gaining Muscle.”

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Author: Grant Eckert

Although it is typically high school students who are encouraged to participate in organized sports, children of all ages do participate. Participating in organized team sports is a great way to achieve physical benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and a sense of well being. Organized sports are also a great way to develop camaraderie and character building.

In addition to the positive lessons of teamwork, work ethic, and social skills, the heightened sense of competition which sports develops can be a negative strain on a child’s life. The obsession with winning, emulating their heroes in professional sports, or reaching the professional level can lead to steroid use. While the encouragement of children to strive to be the best is a positive guideline, some can turn it into a negative by experimenting with substances that can harm their bodies and their minds.

It is perhaps because of these extremely high standards that dangerous practices begin to take hold of young athletes. Also, it may be due to increases in news coverage of professional athletes using steroids. These are athletes who are idolized by kids. They are athletes who used steroids and achieved great success within their respective sports, albeit at a price. It is the responsibility of parents and coaches to make sure that all children, especially teenagers, are training in a safe and healthy way without the use of steroids.

Steroids are drugs that can help athletes achieve certain physical goals such as increased muscle mass, strength, and endurance. However, these drugs are extremely dangerous and illegal when used in competitive sports ranging from the professional level to even high school competitions.

Drug use, however, even the use of steroids, is sometimes glorified in movies and the media. Children may see an athlete set a record only to be accused years later of using steroids. America’s youth can interpret this as an easy way to achieve success.

The American media tends to report only on steroid use among professional athletes mainly in baseball, football, and basketball. What is missing, many times, in these reports is the rampant use of steroids among the nation’s youth. The use of steroids within the United States is increasing in dangerous numbers and should be a focus of the media in order to bring attention to parents, coaches, and teenagers.

As recently as 2003, it was found by the Youth Risk and Behavior Surveillance System that 5.3% of females and 6.8% of males have used anabolic steroids at least one time. These statistics are more than double of a study conducted almost a decade prior.

Steroid use, as well as other drugs, is an ongoing problem among America’s youth. Steroid use not only can become addictive, but can also have long-term health risks associated with it. First and foremost, extended steroid use can lead to kidney failure, high blood pressure, and electrolyte imbalances. Additionally, steroids can lead to increases in harmful cholesterol and risk of heart disease and even strokes, which can ultimately lead to death.

Any teenager using steroids is at risk of altering his or her growth patterns and development as well. Steroids in the system can lead to premature closure of growth plates thus preventing the teenager from achieving his or her full grown form. Even more upsetting is the cessation of menstruation in girls combined with the deepening of the voice, baldness, and growth of facial hair. Steroids are particularly dangerous for young adolescents and young adults because their bodies are going through natural changes which can be severely altered or hindered by the use of these drugs.

In addition to these physical effects, steroid use can also affect a teenager’s mental well-being. Use of steroids, as we know, can alter the amounts of growth hormone in the body as well as other hormones and neurotransmitters. This can lead to wild mood swings which can materialize into depression and even suicidal thoughts. It has been reported that teenagers who had stopped using steroids had fallen into depression (which is a common feeling among teens but can be exemplified by drug use), and taken their own lives.

Many parents and coaches today agree that something must be done to deter today’s youth from using steroids. The best way to do this is through education, so many schools and sports programs today are incorporating drug education into their curriculums. However, much more is needed to encourage steroid avoidance. According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse, only 45% of high school seniors believe that using steroids can be physically harmful. The media can also do its part to help America’s youth as well. More coverage on the risks associated with the use of steroids would go a long way, especially among today’s impressionable teens.

About the Author:

Grant Eckert is a freelance writer who writes about sports and leisure activities, similar to what consumers read in Baseball Digest | Baseball Digest Magazine

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/baseball-articles/steroid-use-among-americas-youth-377228.html

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Author: The Bodybuilding Trainer

There’s no doubt about it - if you are serious about body building and making your body huge is a priority, steroids can help you do it quickly.  It’s a proven fact.  Synthetic hormones will help you grow muscle quickly and make your muscles look beautiful in the process.  The reality is that although steroids will help you build an amazing body, they can do more harm than good.

The simple truth is that steroids, although the will build body mass, will harm your body more than it will help it.  What will steroids do to you?  Consider the following:

* Steroids lower sperm count making the possibility of having a child lower
* Steroids will make you more aggressive
* Steroids will cause you to become sterile — eventually
* Steroids will bring you problems that you never wanted to have

Basically, if you choose to use steroids, do so at your own risk.  There are way more bad things that can happen from steroid use than good things.  It’s true, they will help you build your body to new proportions, but at what cost?

For females, do you want to walk, talk, and look like a man?  If so, go ahead and take steroids as part of your body building routine.  But we will never condone steroid use in any way.  The downfalls very much outweigh the advantages.

Not only do steroids cause serious health problems, they actually make the anabolic environment less conducive to serious muscle building.  The actually true way towards serious muscle building involves natural methods as opposed to synthetic methods.  When you focus on your diet to give you the nutrients you need to make well-toned muscles, you will be way better off than if you resort to the “easy way out”.

When you use steroids to build muscle mass, you are not only endangering your health, but you are also endangering your muscles.  When they get used to synthetic hormones, they will expect to have that type of enhancement all of the time.  But the long-ranging implications of steroid use completely outweigh the problems that will occur.

In general, you should focus on natural body building as opposed to working your muscles with the use of steroids. You will not only be a healthier person, but you will also be able to know that you have made a beautiful body without the use of steroids in your body building program.

About the Author:

For more bodybuilding workouts tips, including bodybuilding diets and bodybuilding routines, visit The Bodybuilding Trainer.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bodybuilding-articles/steroids-for-body-building-435800.html

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The Truth About 6 Pack Abs has become one of the most popular ab/fitness guides on the internet. It contains hundreds of pages with ab exercises, recipes with healthy meals that build muscle and improve health and so much more. This article is a personal review of the Truth About Six Pack Abs guide.

What’s most interesting about this guide is that it doesn’t address ab workouts as it’s primary focus. However it shows you exercises that train multiple muscles linked to the abs and as a result you not only get rock hard hard abs, but you also build other important muscles. In addition there are over a 100 recipes that help increase metabolism, burn fat and build muscle. I’ve tried 3 of them so far and I think they are delicious. For example, the book talks about tons of foods that automatically raie metabolism such as cayanne pepper.

Another surprising yet enlightening fact is that the author of the book is strongly opposed to using machines or doing regular ab workouts like sit-ups because the most important thing necessary to get six pack abs is to burn away the fat layers in your abdominal area. Otherwise people can do sit-ups hours a day and not get the results they want.

The Truth About 6 Pack Abs addresses fitness and health together as one pointing out that a combination of diet and specific workouts get the best and fastest results that are natural and long term. It provides dozens of pictures to illustrate it’s exercises and they are fairly simple to do, but be warned you will feel a burn in your abdominal area afterwards.

Before I purchased a copy of this guide, I was a very skeptical individual who assumed that the most common approaches to ab workouts were best and this was just the same old, do sit-ups and eat protein bars book. But there is nothing in the book that even resembles this. In fact, the author keeps stating that these things don’t work and can even endanger your health.

After reviewing the Truth About Six Pack Abs, I honestly found the book to be extremely valuable because you can do these exercises in the comfort of your own home, at your own pace, at work or when you’re outside and not waste money on personal trainers, gym memberships, fat burning pills, machines and more. And the meal plans, charts, lists of foods and more are easy to find and make and their health benefits speak for themselves.

To get and inside look into the Truth About Six Pack Abs, what else it contains, extra tips and more, click here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vitaliy_Gershfeld

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