I'd like to discuss an issue with a certain question I receive concerning training and angle variation. Can you add more muscle size by adding more angels to exercises for each muscle group? Not necessarily.

Many lifters are under the notion that adding more angles, sets, and repetitions can enhance their physique by recruiting all the muscle fibers. While this may sound logical, it can do more damage then good in the bodybuilding world. The fact is, you either stimulate the muscle, or you don't.

Those individuals seeking muscle hypertrophy (muscle growth) should stick to the basics for the core of the workout, and not over train. The basics include the flat press, shoulder press, chins, close-grip bench press, overhead extensions, straight bar curls, squats, etc.

Various fancy movements may change the direction of stress applied to the muscle, but you will receive optimal results from power movements designed to add mass. The poundage and intensity will determine if all the muscle fibers are recruited or not.

Example #1 (may produce muscle growth ) Chest Workout:
Flat Press - 4 sets of 10 repetitions
Incline Dumbbell Press - 4 sets of 10 repetitions
Incline Dumbbell Flys - 4 sets of 10 repetitions
Seated Pec Dec Machine - 4 sets of 10 repetitions

Whew! I'm tired just reading that. If your poundage and intensity were right for the first exercise, the rest are a waste of time.

Example #2 (will produce desired growth)

Chest Workout:
Flat Press - 3 sets of 8 repetitions
Incline Press - 3 sets of 8

Example #2 is a more productive workout for chest development. The entire chest muscle can be stimulated with the flat press because it's one muscle, and therefore it contracts as one. If you put 100% into Example #2, there is no reason to add more exercises, sets, or reps.

A multitude of angels and exercise are not necessary. There is no sense in making your training a cardio session or an all out marathon. Remember, you are not growing in the gym. You must stimulate the muscle, feed it, and allow it to grow through rest.

The concept behind gaining muscle mass and strength lies in stimulation and form. If you can master these two concepts, then adding muscle will be easy.

Train, Eat, Rest = Growth

Karen Sessions has been in the fitness industry since 1988. She embarked on weight training to overcome an eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa in its early stages. She overcame the eating disorder, received her personal training certificate, competed in many local bodybuilding contests, and qualified for Nationals. Since then she’s went on to write six e-books (weight loss, female bodybuilding, contest preparation, leg training, figure/fitness secrets, and cellulite removal). She writes articles for several fitness websites, as well as her own, www.theelitephysique.com, and also distributes a monthly e-newsletter. She has a very active and lively forum, filled with positive and supportive people with informative content. Karen’s sole goal is to educate others and help them apply that knowledge.

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