Many bodybuilders try to use testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, to improve their muscle mass and performance, but this may not be the best option for this purpose. Let’s examine what other mistakes bodybuilders are making when it comes to bodybuilding below:
Common Mistakes
Misuse of HGH to Gain Muscle
After an older adult is diagnosed with a human growth hormone deficiency, he or she may receive a prescription for HGH. The Federal Drug Administration approves HGH supplementation for adults with an HGH deficiency, and in older adults, HGH has been shown to increase muscle mass and lower body fat. Bodybuilders obtain HGH to build muscle mass, but this does not necessarily work when they are not experiencing an HGH deficiency.
Overtraining
Overtraining syndrome occurs when an athlete spends too much time training or trains so much that it damages the body. While it is okay to participate in an intense workout, some athletes go too far and do not allow themselves enough time to fully recover. Recovery is essential when the purpose of training is to improve one’s abilities.
Neglecting Rest and Recovery
As you exercise, your muscle tissue receives microscopic tears, but your body has a system that repairs these tears. This system is called “fibroblasts,” and it consists of cells that help the muscles heal and grow. This makes your muscles stronger, but you need rest and recovery to allow this process to take place.
Poor Nutrition
A bodybuilder needs protein and sufficient calories each day to allow the recovery process to take place after a hard workout. A lack of protein can lead to muscle loss as the body begins to break down muscle tissue to provide energy to keep the body in motion. This does not occur when there are enough nutrients in the diet.
Ignoring Proper Technique
You can avoid injuries by starting your workout with a warmup. This only needs to take about five to 10 minutes of walking or light aerobic activity. After you begin your weight routine, do not lift weights that are too heavy, and don’t lift for too long. Ignoring these proper techniques causes injuries.
Relying Too Much on Supplements
In their zeal to improve their muscle mass or performance, many athletes will take dietary supplements, but you must use these with caution. Some of these supplements contain ingredients that may be good for a bodybuilder, but they may also have harmful ingredients. According to the medical community, most people receive adequate levels of nutrients from their foods, but if you are a vegan or a vegetarian, you may want to take a vitamin B12 supplement.
Dehydration
A bodybuilder needs water to transport nutrients to the muscles. Water also removes lactic acid, a chemical compound that the muscles create during exercise. During a workout, water also regulates your body’s temperature and prevents cramps from forming in your muscles.
Skipping Mobility and Flexibility Work
If you skip mobility and flexibility work or “stretching,” you cannot maintain the range of motion needed to keep your joints in good working order. A lack of stretching causes your muscles to become shorter and tighter. When it is time to exercise, you will not be able to fully extend your muscles. The result will be strains, muscle damage, and joint pain.
Focusing Only on Aesthetics
Some bodybuilders only focus on how they look, but they do not pay attention to their sleep quality, energy levels, pain levels, strength gains, or performance improvement. These factors are better focus points for a bodybuilder than aesthetics.
Why Using HGH Without a Medical Need Is Dangerous
Hormonal Imbalance
By creating a hormonal imbalance from supplementing HGH without a medical need, bodybuilders have increased their risk of acromegaly. This condition leads to heart disease, arthritis, sleep apnea, hypertension, and premature death.
Organ Growth
Acromegaly can also lead to an enlarged heart, thyroid, intestines, kidneys, spleen, and liver.
Joint and Muscle Pain
One of the main symptoms of acromegaly is joint and muscle pain. As the bones and cartilage grow, pain occurs in these areas.
Insulin Resistance
Acromegaly also leads to insulin resistance because the overproduction of HGH prevents the body from effectively using the insulin that the pancreas produces. When this occurs, the body becomes intolerant to glucose, which may lead to a diagnosis of diabetes.
Alternatives for Muscle Growth
Optimized Training Regimen
An optimized training regimen uses appropriate training techniques that cause the muscles to grow. This is done by creating an exercise routine that manipulates several things, including the amount of weight, the number of sets and repetitions, rest periods, and exercises. The point is to create enough tension to cause the microtears mentioned above. After microtears occur, the body has a chance to repair them and increase the muscle’s strength.
Balanced Nutrition
As mentioned above, a balanced diet is important for bodybuilders, as the nutrients in it can encourage muscle healing and growth.
Legal Supplements
Bodybuilders may also supplement their diets with creatine, whey protein, and branched-chain amino acids. Creatine is an energy source for the muscles that helps them contract and keep working for an extended period of time. Whey protein is an excellent source of protein that the body absorbs quickly, and branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs, promote muscle growth and reduce muscle soreness.
Peptide-Based Alternatives
Some bodybuilders explore peptides like Sermorelin, which stimulates natural HGH production. If you would like to consider this option, it’s important to research factors like proper Sermorelin dosage for bodybuilding with the HGH Doctor.
