| A common misconception is hardgainers cant put on | | | | This is just a basic work out plan for the first few |
| muscle. This is completely false! As a hardgainer | | | | weeks. The program should be split up into 3 days a |
| myself I struggled to put on muscle until I learned a few | | | | week eg. Arms and shoulders one day legs the next |
| tricks. The most important is not to ever give up! | | | | and chest and back the third day with abs been |
| There are however steps you can take to put on | | | | worked out at the end of every work out. Carbs for |
| muscle such as: | | | | hardgainers. Carbohydrates are important for any one |
| Eat as much as possible as often as possible (every | | | | that struggles to put on mass. They are broken into |
| two to three hours) | | | | two categories, simple and complex carbs. |
| Lift heavy weights (as high a weight as you can lift | | | | Simple carbs (sugars): Provide a quick release of |
| safely) | | | | energy from a spike in insulin levels as they enter the |
| Pyramid work outs, ie. Use a moderately high weight | | | | bloodstream quickly. If the energy is not used fast it is |
| for 12 reps then add more weight and do 10 reps, | | | | stored as fat. Any thing with sugar are examples of |
| repeat this two more times until you are doing only 6 | | | | simple carbs. |
| reps and the weight is increased to the point you really | | | | Complex carbs (starches): Complex carbs actually |
| struggle with the last 3 reps on your last set. (Keep | | | | contain more sugar then simple carbs but are released |
| repeating till you reach 6 reps) | | | | much slower into the bloodstream. Therefore your |
| Here is an example routine for a beginner hard gainer. | | | | body gets energy released slowly for you to utilize |
| Split your work outs into 3 days a week if possible. | | | | before it is also stored as fat. Rice, white bread, pasta |
| Train | | | | and potatoes are examples of complex carbs. |
| Arms, number of reps: 12-8, number of sets: 3, number | | | | In the morning eat simple carbs as the break down |
| of workouts: 3-4 | | | | fast and stop your body breaking down muscle for |
| Back, number of reps: 12-6, number of sets: 4, number | | | | sources of energy then following that eat some |
| of workouts: 3-4 | | | | source of complex carbs and do this through out the |
| Legs, number of reps: 12-6, number of sets: 4, number | | | | day as well as consuming protein. Before you go to |
| of workouts: 3-6 | | | | bed eat another source of complex carbs about an |
| Shoulders, number of reps: 12-8, number of sets: 3, | | | | hour before you sleep and also some source of slow |
| number of workouts: 3-4 | | | | digesting protein such as casein protein to stop |
| Chest, number of reps: 12-8, number of sets: 3, number | | | | catabolism during the night. |
| of workouts: 3-4 | | | | Its hard been a hardgainer but when the results show |
| Abs, number of reps: 25-30, number of sets: 5, number | | | | its more then worth the effort. |
| of workouts: 3-4 | | | | |