Questions
Q: Can I still achieve results if I don't belong to a gym or health club?
A: Absolutely! If you want to work out at home, you can easily set up your own gym. Really, all you need is a pair of adjustable dumbbells and an adjustable bench. For less than $300 you can create your gym and start your transformation.
A: There is no magic exercise or secret formula to get a “six-pack”. The key to having that “six-pack” is decreasing your body fat enough that the abdominal muscles show. The fact of the matter is that you are born with abdominal muscles and these muscles are the same as any other muscle in your body. In order to increase the size of your abdominals, you need to train them as you train any other muscle. If you add weight to your crunches, your abs become bigger. If you don’t you weight, but focus on really contracting the muscles, the result is that flat stomach so many of us want. You’ll notice that my program also incorporates abdominal training in the same fashion as any other muscle. It’s time to get rid of the myth that you need to do hundreds of crunches each day to develop a toned midsection.
Q: I'm 16 years old, and I want to start bulding muscle. Is it ok to train at my age?
A: It is ok to train at your age, but not with weights. Instead, perform body-weight exercises such as pull-ups, push-ups, dips, lunges, and so on. If you begin to train with weights too early, problems with growth might occur.
Remember that you should always consult your physician before starting any fitness program too.
Q: What supplements should I take to help build muscle?
A: I don't endorse the use of supplements. You can get everything you need to build quality muscle by following a solid eating plan. Consuming a ratio of 2:1 carbs to protein before and after a workout will replenish the muscles and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to build lean mass without fat.
The only "supplement" that I would ever take is pure whey protein powder. Creatine, glutamine, and other new supplements haven't been around long enough to find out if any potential side effects exist.
Q: Can I train without a personal trainer or training partner?
A: Of course you can! I like to mix it up a bit. Sometimes I train by myself, and sometimes a train with a partner. The good part of training with someone else is that they are around to push you and to spot you.
If you train by yourself, it's a good idea to use dumbbells rather than barbells in case you can't finish a rep.
If you are just starting, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a personal trainer to help you establish proper form, and give you some extra motivation.
Have a question? Contact Stu at stu@fitwithstu.com for an answer.