I want to build muscle

I'm looking for pointers to build muscle. I know you're all going to say lean muscle, but I'm looking to be more than just lean if that makes any sense. I'm planning on working at home and getting a home gym, so any input, advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the help
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Replies

  • drwilseyjr
    drwilseyjr Posts: 225 Member
    I'd really suggest skipping the home gym, for now, and going to a gym that has everything you need if you want to get serious about building muscle. Especially if you're just getting into it. Make sure you'll stick with it prior to spending the major money on outfitting a home gym.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    All muscle is lean muscle. Can you clarify what you mean?
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    Just so you know, building muscle is very hard for women. it takes a lot of testosterone which we are quite lacking in . you might be better off focusing on something more realistic, like building strength. unless you wanna go the juicing route.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    I don't know what you mean by lean muscle but you need to be eating in a surplus and following a progressive strength training programme.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    Just so you know, building muscle is very hard for women. it takes a lot of testosterone which we are quite lacking in . you might be better off focusing on something more realistic, like building strength. unless you wanna go the juicing route.

    Ridiculous advice, ignore this OP
  • Buff_Man
    Buff_Man Posts: 623 Member
    You can build muscle, you will get strong. Go to a gym, stick to a programme and prove them all wrong!
  • sexymom04
    sexymom04 Posts: 263 Member
    drwilseyjr wrote: »
    I'd really suggest skipping the home gym, for now, and going to a gym that has everything you need if you want to get serious about building muscle. Especially if you're just getting into it. Make sure you'll stick with it prior to spending the major money on outfitting a home gym.

    well I already have a treadmill, an elliptical, a stationary bike and a rowing machine, just looking for a home gym now.
  • sexymom04
    sexymom04 Posts: 263 Member
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    Just so you know, building muscle is very hard for women. it takes a lot of testosterone which we are quite lacking in . you might be better off focusing on something more realistic, like building strength. unless you wanna go the juicing route.

    no thanks, I have no interest in juicing anything :neutral:
  • sexymom04
    sexymom04 Posts: 263 Member
    I don't know what you mean by lean muscle but you need to be eating in a surplus and following a progressive strength training programme.

    so eat more calories? And yeah I'm not going to be juicing anything :neutral:
  • sexymom04
    sexymom04 Posts: 263 Member
    Buff_Man wrote: »
    You can build muscle, you will get strong. Go to a gym, stick to a programme and prove them all wrong!

    Thanks, I will prove them wrong :smile:
  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    Just so you know, building muscle is very hard for women. it takes a lot of testosterone which we are quite lacking in . you might be better off focusing on something more realistic, like building strength. unless you wanna go the juicing route.

    Ridiculous advice, ignore this OP

    But dude, she's squatting in her profile. Gotta juice.
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    sorry i was out of line, that wasn't very nice of me.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    sexymom04 wrote: »
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    Just so you know, building muscle is very hard for women. it takes a lot of testosterone which we are quite lacking in . you might be better off focusing on something more realistic, like building strength. unless you wanna go the juicing route.

    no thanks, I have no interest in juicing anything :neutral:

    That's not what they mean by juice....
  • sexymom04
    sexymom04 Posts: 263 Member
    sexymom04 wrote: »
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    Just so you know, building muscle is very hard for women. it takes a lot of testosterone which we are quite lacking in . you might be better off focusing on something more realistic, like building strength. unless you wanna go the juicing route.

    no thanks, I have no interest in juicing anything :neutral:

    That's not what they mean by juice....

    ok then what do they mean?
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    sexymom04 wrote: »
    sexymom04 wrote: »
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    Just so you know, building muscle is very hard for women. it takes a lot of testosterone which we are quite lacking in . you might be better off focusing on something more realistic, like building strength. unless you wanna go the juicing route.

    no thanks, I have no interest in juicing anything :neutral:

    That's not what they mean by juice....

    ok then what do they mean?

    Steroid use.

  • AigreDoux
    AigreDoux Posts: 594 Member
    I don't know what you mean by more than lean muscle. I'm a beginner lifter too, so can't advise you too much.

    I am setting up a home gym though. I think there are a lot of reasons that working out at home is easier and more doable, so not sure why everyone thinks you need to join a gym. It's not all that expensive if you have space. I have a treadmill (free, was DH's parents' that they never used), a suspension system (TRX knock-off, $40 on amazon), resistance bands ($30 on Amazon), a bench (bought for $50 at Walmart 10 years ago), a yoga mat ($20 at Costco), barbell and weights (free, DH's from high school). My splurges were Powerblock dumbbells ($300) and a Power rack ($320). All in all, I have a pretty good set up for the price of a few months' gym membership.

    People will tell you that when starting to lift, you should have a professionally designed program. Meaning don't just create your own if you don't know what you're doing. I'm going through the book "Strong" by Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove. Others you can do are Strong Lifts, Ice Cream Fitness, Strong Curves, I'm sure there are others.

    And I workout so much more than I would if I had to actually go to a gym. Never have to wait for any equipment. And I can pause to hug my babies if I need to :)
  • NASAwife13
    NASAwife13 Posts: 130 Member
    edited April 2016
    Get a set of hand weights. I use dumbbells everyday, at home and at the gym. There are a lot of things that you can do with them. You dont have to go heavy at first you can work on building your strength. I started with 8lbs and in three months am up to 20-25lb dumbbells depending on what exercise I do. I work closely with my trainer and get lots of good advice from a knit tight group of people and it has helped tremendously.

    Another piece of home equipment that I got that was very inexpensive was suspension training equipment. There are alot of things that you can work on with that as well.

    I have also started in-taking more protein and watching my macros a lot. You should consume a gram of protein per pound of your weight. If you weigh 125lbs then you should have 125grams of protein in your diet.

    Whatever you decide to do like someone said earlier stick with it. Only you can make the difference for you.

    Good luck!
  • rileyes
    rileyes Posts: 1,406 Member
    I have a Vectra home gym that mostly collects dust except for the cable part. Look at functional trainers or cable trainers over the fixed machines. Go for "free-range-of-movement".

    The other equipment you might consider is Olympic barbell, weights, bench, and cage. This is my go-to. I can also hook up bands and a suspension trainer to my half cage. And I added a Landmine sleeve for variety.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited April 2016
    Buff_Man wrote: »
    You can build muscle, you will get strong. Go to a gym, stick to a programme and prove them all wrong!

    You're a poet.

    OP, try beginners strength training program like Stronglifts or Starting Strength. They're awesome.
  • sexymom04
    sexymom04 Posts: 263 Member
    12by311 wrote: »
    sexymom04 wrote: »
    sexymom04 wrote: »
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    Just so you know, building muscle is very hard for women. it takes a lot of testosterone which we are quite lacking in . you might be better off focusing on something more realistic, like building strength. unless you wanna go the juicing route.

    no thanks, I have no interest in juicing anything :neutral:

    That's not what they mean by juice....

    ok then what do they mean?

    Steroid use.

    ok that's what I thought it meant, and no thank you