Browse published articles attributed to Francesco Castano, with full-archive search.
One of the most frequently asked bodybuilding questions involves the best time to train, with many wondering if morning weight lifting sessions are superior for muscle growth. In fact, numerous bodybuilders make the effort to wake up early in the morning to perform their weight lifting ...
Many who pursue muscle building are in need of convenient and portable methods for calorie consumption, and liquid meals are therefore a popular option for bodybuilders who are attempting to consume a consistent source of nutrients for muscle recovery and growth. Most weight lifters are aware of the fact that consuming smaller, more frequent meals is helpful in boosting metabolism, which in turn will improve fat loss and muscle growth, but this requires more time, and for most weight lifters, liquid meals become the logical choice.
One of the most important bodybuilding concepts for maximum muscle building is failure, where a bodybuilder takes a certain weight lifting exercise to the point where no additional repetitions are possible, and this requires some form of spotting on certain exercises, especially those involving ...
Are you confused about muscle growth? Before beginning to lift weights, my arms measured 12.5 inches flexed, and my chest 35 inches relaxed, at 6'2" in height and 130 pounds (extremely thin). I aimed to transform my naturally skinny frame into a muscular, cut physique (VERY low body fat -- abs ...
One of the most sought after bodybuilding goals is definition, where body fat is shed so that muscles appear far more visibly impressive, yet exactly how is such a goal achieved while maintaining precious muscle mass? This question has left many bodybuilders confused and extremely frustrated as ...
One of the many bodybuilding variables that weight lifters must consider when constructing an effective workout program is rest between sets, with some feeling that short rest periods promote a greater amount of muscle overload, leading to superior muscle gains. This idea is based on the ...
Many bodybuilding theories exist in regards to achieving maximum muscle gains with the smallest possible body fat percentage, with weight lifters attempting to manipulate diet variables, including whether food is consumed prior to sleep, in order to improve progress. Some bodybuilders ...
Many bodybuilders who wish to build significant levels of muscle mass aim to achieve a muscle pump or burn during their weight training workout sets, with the feeling that such a sensation is indicative of muscle fatigue and breakdown, therefore improving the chances for muscle gain. ...
A popular bodybuilding notion asserts the superiority of compound weight lifting exercises as compared with isolation movements; proponents claim that the most efficient method of training involves choosing weight lifting exercises that involve the greatest number of muscle groups. Moreover, ...
Any individual who has pursued bodybuilding with the goal of substantially enhancing lean muscle mass knows that volume is one of the most important factors in producing such results. Most who understand the effectiveness of higher volume weight training workout sessions find themselves ...
Stretching has long been touted as the most effective muscle injury prevention mechanism available, and thus is used by bodybuilders around the world prior to weight lifting workout sessions to reduce the risk of muscle strains and tears. Much time is spent performing various types of stretches ...
Bodybuilding is a hobby that requires significant weight training discipline and consistency, and many feel that having a partner with similar goals can increase mental focus and enhance the effectiveness of each weight lifting workout. This theory is true for many, but there are also some who ...
One of the most popular muscle groups that bodybuilders yearn to improve are the biceps, with possibly the most common question asked of successful weight lifters from curious onlookers being "how big are your arms?" Bodybuilders will focus upon a wide variety of biceps exercises in order to improve the size and shape of their arms, but despite such a targeted focus with isolation exercises, many bodybuilders find that their upper arm size does not reach what they would consider to be an ideal level. What is the missing ingredient that many bodybuilders neglect while attempting to build im
A seeming consensus exists among bodybuilding experts regarding the superiority of free weights compared with machines for building muscle mass, to the point where machines have been defined by dedicated bodybuilders as virtually worthless for those seeking maximum muscle building. Furthermore, ...
Unrealistic expectations have proven to be the downfall of many who pursue muscle building or fat loss, as bodybuilding far too often becomes a pursuit of transforming into someone else, as opposed to maximizing the individual genetic potential that each of us has been granted. We may ...
One of the most popular muscle groups to focus upon is the chest, with many bodybuilders seeking significant muscle mass in the pecs through performing many sets of heavy bench pressing. Despite most weight lifting routines centering upon the bench press as the main upper body muscle building ...
Bodybuilders frequently seek to develop the abdominal muscles, as this particular area creates a powerful, attractive looking physique. In hopes of achieving the most impressive abdominal appearance, bodybuilders frequently implement body weight exercises such as crunches or sit-ups, and may ...
A large number of bodybuilders are perplexed regarding the role of aerobic activity, with some feeling that such effort is necessary to control body fat levels, while others embracing the idea that cardiovascular exercise will in effect either burn away muscle mass, or limit future muscle ...
Bodybuilders seeking maximum muscle building frequently focus upon range of motion when aiming to intensify a workout, with some reducing the distance between reps in order to use more weight, while other bodybuilders focus upon the widest range of motion in order to recruit the greatest number ...
Many bodybuilders seem to focus upon developing two muscle groups beyond all others, with the abs and biceps becoming the sole goal of many weight lifting workout routines, often to the detriment of total body development. The biceps are an especially sought after muscle group due to becoming a ...
Nutrition is one of the most confusing aspects of muscle building, and many bodybuilders achieve poor progress specifically due to serious diet errors. Those who wish to build muscle mass are often curious as to exactly when they should consume meals, especially in relation to the weight ...
Many bodybuilders believe that using extremely heavy weights for their weight lifting workout sessions will lead to superior results when compared with a higher rep workout focus, and this theory is correct to a degree. Heavy weight and lower rep bodybuilding sessions do produce larger, more ...
The explosion of the health industry in recent years has spawned research in natural nutrients that can serve to improve health and well being, with one of the most widely publicized being Essential Fatty Acids (EFA), which are healthy fats that have been shown to reduce cholesterol, enhance ...
If you are like most who seek to gain muscle mass, the literally dozens of diet and training theories are absolutely baffling! Have you tried programs that promise 50 pounds in 6 months, but neglect to tell you 45 of those 50 are pure FAT? Even worse, how does it feel to purchase supplements that make steroid like claims, yet deliver absolutely nothing but a lighter wallet? 95% of people will have experienced one or all of these dilemmas and, if not...I bet you've tried abdom
Whenever the term "natural bodybuilding" is mentioned, those who participate in such a hobby think of grueling weight lifting workout sessions and disciplined bodybuilding diet routines, but one additional variable, supplementation, is deemed a requirement for any individual to succeed in ...
One of the most important factors in achieving bodybuilding success is muscle definition, which is directly linked to body fat percentage, and a factor that makes bodybuilding a challenge for many. In the hunt for the perfectly defined physique, carbohydrates receive a fair amount of criticism ...
Numerous bodybuilders pursue weight lifting to enhance self confidence levels, with some being overweight and needing both muscle gain and fat loss, while many others begin the process significantly below what they feel is a comfortable body weight, and because they consider themselves to be ...
Many who pursue muscle building or weight loss feel that joining a gym is a prerequisite, and so, following a rather calorie friendly December, thousands crowd the lobbies of local gyms, signing up for a 3+ year membership, believing that they’ve just taken the first step towards a bodybuilding ...
Many bodybuilders who have been training for muscle gains realize that weight training workout sessions can become quite mentally difficult to sustain, especially during high volume periods, and this emotional battle causes many to abandon the bodybuilding process before substantial results are ...