A bodybuilder who begins training in his teens, lays the groundwork for success as an adult. Your teenage years are an excellent time to start building muscle and to develop good habits that will follow you for life. There are, however, several significant factors teens must consider before undertaking a bodybuilding program. By following a few important protocols, you can safely achieve the results you desire. You should also consult your doctor before beginning a bodybuilding regimen.
Monitoring Your Repetitions
A teen bodybuilder can often improve his results by limiting the number of repetitions he performs during each training session. Teens are often highly motivated to achieve the increase in muscle tone and mass that comes with bodybuilding. This enthusiasm can cause a teen to overwork the muscles he targets during a session. Overtraining will inhibit recovery and slow any physical gains. A teen should only perform around five exercises per training session and complete a total of no more than 30 repetitions per exercise.
Nutrition
Nutrition is an essential element of any muscle-building program. Teen bodybuilders must eat a low-fat, low-salt diet, complete with generous quantities of complex carbohydrates, protein and polyunsaturated fats. New muscle can only be built from the things you take into the body, making the success of your program highly dependent on food.
Many teenagers, however, lead busy lives, loaded with schoolwork, social engagements and extracurricular activities. As a teen bodybuilder you must, therefore, give eating well high priority in your daily routine. The general rule is to consume approximately 1 g of protein and 2 g of carbohydrates for every pound of body weight. Polyunsaturated fats help lower blood cholesterol levels, but you should limit your intake to less than 50 g per day.
Sleep
Another important element of your bodybuilding routine is how much sleep you get each day. Muscle growth and repair primarily occurs during sleep. A teenager may feel inclined to forfeit sleep for more engaging activities. A bodybuilder who does this, however, won't likely see the gains he expects. Building muscle requires you to get at least eight hours of sleep per day.
Assistance
One of the best things a teen bodybuilder can do is to get some coaching. A qualified trainer can teach you how to lift weights with proper form and technique. He will also educate you on how to set practical goals and to train with safety in mind. It is important that young bodybuilders establish a knowledge base upon which to build future success. An instructor who understands the challenges teen bodybuilders face can help you achieve your ideal physique.
