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Basics of muscle growth

1. Why the Basics of Muscle Growth Are Important

Muscle growth doesn’t happen by chance – it follows clear biological principles.
Those who understand the basics train smarter, avoid mistakes, and reach their goals faster.
Knowing these principles is the foundation for any training, whether you’re a beginner or a pro.


2. Basics & Explanation

  • Hypertrophy: Muscle growth means enlargement of muscle fibers.
  • Stimulus & Adaptation: Training creates a mechanical stimulus → the body responds with repair & growth.
  • Progressive Overload: Only when the load increases (more weight, more repetitions, more tension) does the muscle grow.
  • Supercompensation: Muscles don’t grow during training, but during recovery.
  • Important Factors:
    • Training (creating stimulus)
    • Nutrition (especially proteins, energy)
    • Recovery (sleep, breaks, stress level)

3. Challenges & Risks

  • Impatience: Building muscle takes time – quick results are rarely sustainable.
  • Overtraining: Too much, too often, without recovery → stagnation or injuries.
  • Technique Errors: Incorrect execution prevents stimulus and increases risk of injury.
  • Imbalance: Only training certain muscles, neglecting the rest.
  • Nutrition Mistakes: Too little protein or calories → no foundation for growth.

4. Tips & First Steps

  • Use compound exercises: Squats, deadlifts, bench press, pull-ups – effective and time-saving.
  • Track progression: Keep a training log, incorporate small increases.
  • Take recovery seriously: 7–9 hours of sleep, breaks between intense sessions.
  • Ensure protein intake: About 1.6–2.0 g per kg body weight.
  • Develop patience: Realistic progress is 0.5–1 kg muscle mass per month.

5. Your Next Step

Get the bestforming app and benefit from:

  • Clear training plans based on the principles of muscle growth
  • Progress tracking for load, volume, and recovery
  • Nutritional recommendations to support your muscle building

This way, you build muscle systematically – step by step, without detours.

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