A lot of us would love to bulk up and add a nice amount of muscle and definition, but outside of intense weight training are not exactly sure how to make this happen.
Recent research has begun to shed more light on what promotes muscle growth and ways in which we can utilize this new knowledge to improve the outcomes we see from our efforts.
Testosterone for muscle mass has been a recent topic of interest as new research shows that there is an interplay between testosterone and muscle growth in the male body.
This has led to new products on the market that utilize this concept, such as testosterone muscle building supplements that many swear by as a way to really enhance the amount of muscle tone, definition, and bulk that bodybuilders can expect to see from their efforts.
There are tons of ways that we can really target our nutrition and training, as well as the supplements we take, that will help to increase the results we get from our efforts.
These are not performance enhancing drugs or steroids, they are ways that we can better take advantage our body’s natural processes and use our understanding to create diet and training regimens that are scientifically proven to give the results that we are looking for.
In this way, knowledge has literally become power. With our increased understanding of how the body works and how different hormones interact to initiate processes, we now have more control than ever before when it comes to getting that exact body we’ve always wanted.
Before we get started in explaining safe and effective ways you can boost levels of testosterone in your body, it is first important to have a basic understanding of what this hormone is and how it interacts in the body and helps to promote the building of muscle – among a whole host of other functions.
It must also be noted that testosterone is not something that we have in steady amounts throughout our lives. As we age, our ability to produce testosterone diminishes, which can make it harder for us to build muscle and bulk.
This does not mean it is impossible, but that it takes targeted effort and diligence to achieve.
Whether a young bodybuilder looking to get the most out of our strength training efforts, or an older make looking to stay fit and vital, testosterone plays an imperative role.
What does testosterone do for bodybuilding?
One of the first questions I’m sure most readers have is “does testosterone increase muscle mass”?
The short answer is that yes, it most certainly does.
But this is also a heavily caveated statement as we all know that steroids, which also work to increase testosterone levels, have plenty of dangerous and negative side effects.
Synthetic steroids are not the focus of this guide. Here, we are going to focus on natural ways to boost levels of testosterone to safe and beneficial, not out-of-control levels in the body.
Testosterone is associated with, well, manliness to put it bluntly. Most people know that there is a correlation between testosterone and muscle growth.
The levels of testosterone in the body will play a huge role in how much muscle growth you can expect.
That means, if you have higher levels of testosterone and stimulate muscle growth through exercise, you will see more muscle growth and added bulk than someone with lower testosterone levels doing the same workout regimen.
This is one of the things that made anabolic steroids so popular until we really learned about the long-term consequences and myriad of side effects these substances have on the human body.
Anabolic steroids increase the amount of testosterone produced in the body, which leads to weight loss and muscle gain, even without any exercise or dietary change.
This might sound magical, but it turns out that things are a lot more complicated than we considered and more is most certainly not always better.
In addition to certain physical improvements, users of anabolic steroids suffered a wide range of negative and potentially fatal side effects ranging from anger issues and aggressive behavior, to the development of certain types of cancer.
But one thing we learned remains true: High levels of testosterone do lead to bigger gains in muscle mass.
But anabolic steroids cause the body to produce too much testosterone and their myriad of side effects is just too prohibitive to make them a viable option or much help in the long term.
In short, yes, testosterone can help to increase the amount of muscle you build versus exercise alone, but with anabolic steroids, you get far too much testosterone release and a range of other unpleasant side effects.
There are now supplements that are targeted for those who are looking to add bulk and muscle gain.
These supplements, when used in tandem with a good strength training regimen will help you see far better results than you would see with exercise alone. So, why not use science to help us get the most from our efforts?
Another sad fact is that time is always working against us. Once we reach the age of 30, our production of testosterone really starts to decline, meaning that even with supplementation, we may still only be reaching an earlier peak, not an optimal one.
It is definitely better to have the body of a 20 something when you are 30 or older. There are also supplements that are designed for older men in particular that are specially formulated for the varied and precise needs of bodybuilders of an older age.
In some ways, it can be thought that testosterone supplementation can help us slow the passage of physical time and keep us at our peak for longer than might otherwise be possible.
Types of testosterone supplements
The available supplements take a host of different forms and are formulated from a variety of different substances, but they all have one thing in common and that is that they help promote the natural production of testosterone in the body.
Whether directly or indirectly, these supplements help increase the amount of free testosterone and the best products will be all natural.
One of the more common supplements to boost testosterone is derived from, of all things, oats.
Avena sativa is the botanical name for oats, just like the kind many of us eat for breakfast. In concentrated doses, most often available in pill form, it is known to help boost testosterone production and is especially helpful for bodybuilders.
In order to see the most benefit, take between 100-300 mg a day for 8 weeks, then take a 2-4 week break, before starting the routine over again.
The substance works because it contains a ton of avenocosides, which boosts testosterone levels, particularly free testosterone, which is the kind that is needed to stimulate muscle growth.
Many supplements are actually sophisticated compounds that combine a wide range of ingredients to produce the desired effect.
When looking for good testosterone-boosting supplements, you should keep in mind that certain ingredients are known for promoting the production of testosterone better than others.
It is recommended, when looking for the right supplement for you, that you look for one that has one of the ingredients we briefly describe below.
D-aspartic acid is a natural amino acid produced by the body that is predominately an actor in the production of sex hormones and sperm cells.
It also works to help boost the overall level of testosterone in the body, including free testosterone which helps promote muscle growth.
Oyster extract is another ingredient commonly found in effective testosterone boosters. High in zinc, which we know is important when it comes to promoting the production of testosterone, supplements with this extract are highly recommended.
Vitamin D3 is called a vitamin, but it actually is not one; it is, in fact, a hormone and we get it most commonly from the sun or from milk and other fortified products. It is known for a lot of positive effects, including spurning the production of testosterone in the body.
Specifically, vitamin D3 promotes the release of leutenizing hormones and it is these that aid in the increased production and release of testosterone.
Boron is another natural ingredient that, indirectly, helps increase the amount of testosterone in the body. This substance not only aids in absorption, it also reduces the amount of globulin in the blood.
The less globulin, the more free testosterone is available (as opposed to bound testosterone which is only for sex cells) to promote muscle growth and development.
In fact, a lot of substances, rather than directly boost the levels of testosterone in your body, simply help free or unbind more of your already available testosterone, which is vital when it comes to bulking up as a bodybuilder.
You can often find these as standalone supplements or in specialty formulations. If you go the proprietary blend route, it is best to do a bit of research, particularly research into those who have bought said product so as to assess the efficacy of the supplement.
Many of these products end up being a waste of money as they don’t contain enough of the right ingredients to actually boost the amount of free testosterone in the body, which is the whole point of taking said substance to begin with.
Bold claims are great and they are not always wrong, but it is always good to go into a situation with a skeptical eye and questioning mind.
Testosterone and Muscle Growth – Conclusion
For years, there has been a good deal of conflicting information about how to supplement diet and exercise to get the most from your exercise efforts.
Science has shown us again and again that there is a direct correlation between levels of testosterone in the body and the ability to produce increased amounts of muscle mass.
However, conversely, we have learned that anabolic steroids—which promote the increased production of testosterone—have a whole host of other unpleasant side effects, making them far more dangerous than beneficial.
Further research has shown that more is not always better, and this is certainly the case with hormones, and that things are often more subtle and complicated than we might initially think.
This is where science has yet again stepped in to fill the gap between ever-decreasing testosterone levels and such high levels as to cause testicular shrinkage and even, sometimes, cancer.
Specially formulated supplements are safe and effective ways that naturally promote your body to produce higher, but not uncontrolled testosterone levels.
This is enough to give you added energy, feelings of health and vitality, as well as the ability to build a lot more bulk and muscle than you could with exercise alone.
There are a ton of safe and effective supplements that are specially formulated for men with a wide range of different needs, areas of focus, and age groups.
These will help you stay vital, put on muscle, and get the most out of your bodybuilding efforts.
Whether you are a young bodybuilder or an older gentleman just trying to stay toned and in shape, testosterone supplements are a great way to stay at your peak and see better results, faster.
Testosterone is an excellent way to bulk up or just get some extra energy and feelings of youth.
Today’s supplements are not dangerous injectable; they are supplements akin to vitamin supplements that are taken orally, most often in pill form, and are made from all-natural ingredients.
These are safe and effective and have a wide range of positive results beyond helping increase the amount of muscle gain you will see from your exercise efforts.
In addition to helping build muscle, testosterone also helps increase energy levels, can make it easier to focus and concentrate, and can also enhance your libido.
Testosterone, when boosted safely and appropriately, is a natural way to enhance your bodybuilding efforts, as well as overall health and wellness. Simply saying testosterone and muscle growth definitely work together very well.