Muscle Mechanics and Lift Effectiveness

The goal of physique training, or hypertrophy training, is pretty simple -- get bigger. Increase the size of the muscle bellies. Measuring progress is a trickier proposition, however. Muscle growth takes time, and you cannot expect to see the measuring tape on your biceps going up on a weekly, or even monthly basis. So how DO you measure progress and know if you are getting anywhere?

Similar to strength training, setting PR's consistently over time is an excellent predictor of progress. Just like driving up your accessory lifts over time can lead to increases in your 1RM, increasing the amount of weight and/or reps you can do on a well-chosen selection of exercises will lead to muscle growth over time. To that end, Andy recommends all physique athletes closely track their progress on every exercise, preferably keeping a written log and tracking PR's. 

Check out Andy's Upper/Lower Hypertrophy Split Program here:

https://www.andybaker.com/product/the-baker-barbell-upper-lower-hypertrophy/

Andy Baker

Blog: www.AndyBaker.com

IG: @bakerbarbell

Owner of Kingwood Strength & Conditioning

Co-author of Practical Programming for Strength Training

Co-author of The Barbell Prescription: Strength Training for Life After 40

Dan Flanick

IG: @coachdanflanick

Gym: https://www.skaneatelesstrength.com