Can I Gain Muscle & Get Shredded at the Same Time?
We can answer this question by asking a different question:
“Are you training hard and eating well?”
Regardless if you are or not, there are 3 considerations to be mindful of as you begin the process of training hard and training effectively… of course we’ll talk nutrition (although nutrition would probably be my first stop with everyone).
Step 1 – Mechanics
It does you no good if you get hurt. In fact, you’re likely to take giant steps backward as you work your way through the healing process.
I know. I’ve been there.
With this in mind, you need to find someone who knows what they’re doing to show you how to move correctly, how to move safely, and how to make the choice to walk away when enough is enough.
The last thing you would want is to add a high level of Intensity atop poor Mechanics.
Step 2 – Consistency
Your next stop, after Mechanics, is Consistency.
Can you move well a MAJORITY of the time, if not all the time? Are you having to be very conscious about what you’re doing or is it beginning the transformation into something which happens automatically?
If we are talking longevity in your muscle gain and shredding, Mechanics and Consistency are two of your big stops!
Step 3 – Intensity
Lastly, but certainly not least, we need to address Intensity.
Intensity can take the form lifting more weight. It can also take the form of speed of output (how fast are you moving through something). It really depends on who you ask and what definition they are using.
Once you move well [Mechanics] and you can do it all the time [Consistency], the magic is in the Intensity.
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“Intensity and results are directly proportional, but intensity and comfort are inversely proportional.” – Greg Glassman
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Don’t be in a hurry to speed ahead to Intensity if you have not established a solid foundation of movement and consistency.
It is the intermingling of these 3 elements where the magic is going to happen to for you and for anyone.
The Secret Last/First Step
It should come as no surprise to anyone that nutrition is going to be the framework with which you’re going to get shredded. Ask anybody who’s had to work for their abs and they’ll tell you it didn’t happen without focus on nutrition AND it didn’t happen quickly.
So…
Move well.
Move often.
Work intensely.
Eat well.
The combination of all of these 4 pieces of the puzzle will yield muscle and shreddedness. I don’t know if that’s a word but I’m going to use it.
Happy shredding!
