Gaining muscle can be a challenging task for anyone, but if you attempt to do it without a properly designed nutrition and training program you are just asking for poor gains.  I am sure this is something you have heard before, and it is really pretty obvious when you think about it.

But what exactly is a good program?

Well, first and foremost, a programme should be designed based on science.  Everything in the program should be justifiable.  Whoever created your program should be able to answer questions like:

Why 3 sets instead of 2 or 4?

Why 10 repetitions instead of 5?

Why two days off instead of 1?

Why 2 minutes between sets?

Unfortunately most training programs are haphazardly thrown together.  This goes for the programs written by "professionals" as well.  The reason for this is that most people, and even coaches, do not understand how to optimally train the body in accordance with science.  Because of this they cannot accurately answer any of the above questions.

Factors such a workout's effects on the hormonal system, the
CNS, and immune system are simply not something that most programs account for. This is a very complicated and time-consuming process if you do it correctly, and it requires some advanced knowledge, so it is somewhat understandable why most training programs don't adhere to science and therefore won't produce results for 95% of the people who use them.

The problem is compounded by the fact that cookie-cutter programs will never work for everybody, or even most people.  You have to know how to adapt and change a program to work with your specific physiology.  This means you must have an easy way to test your body to see what type of training will be most productive for you.  Again, this process can be complicated, but it is well worth the results.

So the next time you are picking a new workout program make sure it is one based on science and that it allows for some individualization of the training process.  Otherwise you will find that gaining muscle is harder than it should be.

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