3 Surprising Reasons You’re Not Gaining Muscle

When working to gain muscle, it’s a bit of trial and error since all bodies are built differently. While there are many contributing factors to increasing muscle mass, here are three surprising reasons you may need to rethink your approach to gains. 

Are you getting enough rest? 

This may seem obvious, but rest is crucial for gaining muscle. And we don’t just mean getting enough sleep at night – although that’s also extremely important. Are you building rest days into your workout plan? If not, you need to start now. 

Rest days are essential for muscle growth – exercise tears muscles apart, but a rest day allows for regrowth resulting in a much stronger muscle. Still, rest days don’t have to be lazy. Make it an active rest day and incorporate some low-impact cardio, such as a long walk or easy bike ride. Take care of your body and trust the process. 

Mix it up. 

It’s easy to fall into a routine at the gym. While routines are great for consistency, they won’t help you with muscle gain. 

Consider adding some different weights now and then. Don’t feel tied to the average 8-10 reps recommended within a set. Instead, try out some heavier weights and stick to 3-5 reps – pay attention to your form and try to focus on activating only the muscles lifting the weights. Another alternative is to try a lighter weight with a higher rep count. You’ll be surprised at the fatigue in your muscles if you are suddenly performing 18-20 reps. 

Fuel up. 

Do you feel like you are getting enough nutrients in your diet during heavy lifting? Usually, the first sign is a lack of energy and focus. Eating the appropriate amount of calories, protein, and carbohydrates for your body will significantly impact your muscle gain. If you find diet alone isn’t enough, consider trying supplements. Dietary supplements and protein powder are great options to ensure your nutrition is balanced with the intense workouts you’re performing multiple times a week. 

Feel free to check out the inventory on our website and experience our entire line of pre-workout, intra-workout, protein supplements, and more. Our knowledgeable team is always willing to give advice on supplements and workouts so you can focus on the gains!