NO ONE can NATURALLY, grow muscle or add muscle to their body.  This is a myth.  One’s natural gene pool remains constant as one enters and exits this world. Muscles can grow by taking protein supplements, huge dozes of food, or large quantities of lifting repetitions. Muscles can be chemically enhanced. However, these un-natural gains come with price tags that can damage the body or take years to repay. Natural Strength comes from the simple process of recruiting.

Step One: Only stimulate the muscle for a period of 10-seconds.  This time segment allows the body to activate the muscles and engage their contraction and expansion process.  If the stimulation lasts longer  than 10-seconds, the muscle fibers wear down and micro trauma begins.  The muscles tear and begin to bleed.  This bleeding process swells the tissues that surround the muscle thus providing the “Getting Big” effect.  Yes, the individual has stimulated the muscles to perform but the individual has also torn the muscles, must wait for the muscles to heal, and has gained weight in the process via the collection of the mending additives needed. The process for stimulating the muscle is simple.

When stimulated, the muscles utilize energy from the natural sources within the body.  Energy comes from the process of combining Oxygen with Adenosine Triphosphates. When the body rests, immediately after stimulation, the refueling process engages and replenishes the reservoir of energy needed to perform.  This refueling process takes 8-10 minutes. During this time, the levels of ATP climb back to original levels.  The muscles absorb the natural fuel combination and are primed for the next series of stimuli. 

Stimulated muscles need natural energy sources to maintain successful repetitions.  Energy sources can come from outside intake of foods and supplements.  Another source of energy activates within the body as muscle recruitment develops. The body has energy resources, pockets of fat, which are stored in the body. These pockets of fat begin to breakdown as more muscles activate.

The bench press is such a misunderstood movement and yet it is so necessary to developing a total athlete.  The bench press, if done correctly does not adversely affect an athlete participating in a skill sport like baseball or golf.  The bench press builds the shoulders and upper back when done properly.  The problem with the bench press comes when performed with a body building mentality as opposed to a functional competitive mentality.

Athletes for years always worked harder to get the edge over their opponent. They should and they will continue to do so. Battles have been won by those who have more soldiers, more pitchers, more speed, more resources, more, more... In addition, this mentality has been applied directly to weighty training and speed training.  The more sets, the more days, the more sprints, the longer distances, and so on.  However, this concept has produced more harm than it has helped.  Many go overboard and burn out; others cheat to win, while many refuse to subject themselves to perceived torture.

Two soldiers are in a foxhole on the front line.  The enemy throws a grenade into the foxhole and it lands at the feet of the two soldiers.  How much stretching do you think they will do before they make a decision to react?