Increase Your Training Intensity - Partial Repetitions

You can only build muscle tissue if you can generate progressively stronger muscular contractions, so this calls for an emphasis on finding ways to increase exercise intensity. This should not be confused with exercise duration as maximum training intensity will actually shorten the time needed to achieve maximal muscular growth.

In an earlier article I outlined the ways in which you can intensify your training. Here we'll focus on the role that partial repetitions have to play in intensifying the training effect.

One of the biggest dangers confronting serious bodybuilders is the tendency to overtrain. Bodybuilders at the advanced level must resist the temptation to seek improvement by simply adding more exercises or extra workouts to an already demanding schedule.

One way to maintain progress yet avoid overtraining is to make constructive use of partial repetitions. This allows the introduction of additional intensity without adding significantly to the duration of training. To get the most out of partial repetitions you should follow these simple steps:

1. Use a much heavier weight than you would for the full range version of the same exercise.

2. Perform partial reps only from the halfway stage or mid-point of the exercise.

3. Use this method primarily on lagging body parts.

4. Perform only one exercise for one set per body part.

5. Use only as a supplement to full range movement exercises, not instead of.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

---

Muscle Growth with Post-Workout Nutrition

If you design your nutrition plans to maximize muscle growth,... Read More

Build 80 Pounds Of Muscle?

Is it possible to gain 80 pounds of shredded muscle... Read More

Questioning Proper Abdominal Training

Q: I've heard you mention that you don't need tons... Read More

Build More Muscle Mass And Strength Without Supplements

Who should use this method to build muscle quickly?If you're... Read More

How Long Should You Rest Between Muscle Building Sessions?

In an earlier article we concluded that muscles must be... Read More

What Do You Mean Low-Intensity Training Isn?t The Best For Fat Burning?

But how can this possibly be? Everywhere you look, it's... Read More

Why You Must Use The Right Dumbbells For Your Workout

A dumbbell exercise program is effective with the right equipment... Read More

Dumbbell Exercises That Suit Beginners

The aim for beginners to weight training must be to... Read More

The Ultimate Hard Body Exercise

The Front Squat:As you may have already discovered, the squat... Read More

Machine Exercises That Suit Beginners

The aim for beginners to weight training must be to... Read More

BMI Calculator Results

BMI, Body Mass Index, is the most popular and simple... Read More

Personal Trainers with Real People, Real Situations

TO DO OR NOT TO DO? ? ABSTWO WEEKS PRIOR... Read More

A Very Simple Program Anybody Can Follow To Gain MASS

Until I started following a routine to eat, my gains... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Flat Dumbbell Fly

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Muscle Building Workouts and Tips: Dos and Donts

Packing on Muscle mass involves a lot of dedication and... Read More

Always Shock Your Muscles For Maximum Growth

Always try to "trick" your muscles into growth. You never... Read More

Increase Your Training Intensity - Pre-Exhaustion

You can only build muscle tissue if you can generate... Read More

How Do I Gain Weight?

Try asking people how to gain weight and you'll likely... Read More

Back Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders

From a bodybuilder's perspective one of the most important body... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - One-Arm Dumbbell Rows

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Train for the Look You Want

So the Olympics are almost upon us. While you have... Read More

Ab Sculpting Exercise - One Of The Most Productive Exercises For Your Abs That Is Hardly Ever Used

Before I talk about one of the most productive and... Read More

Chest Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders

The chest area is one of the easist muscle groups... Read More

How To Gain Weight

Until I started following a routine to eat, my gains... Read More

The Health Risks Associated With The Use Of Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are classed as illegal drugs and are banned... Read More

Waist Your Breath - Breathing For A Thinner Waist

The crunch exercise is the backbone of abdominal training. It... Read More

Personal Training: 6 Secrets of Award Winning Customer Service

Would you believe that your ability to provide quality customer... Read More

Why my Lactate Threshold Training is better than any other Strength Training System

It's a very simple training system. Consisting of using your... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Lying Triceps Extension

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Real Muscle Real Fast!

Adding muscle seems to be a mystery to most, yet... Read More

The Importance Of Sets In Your Muscle Building Program

In an earlier article we looked at how repetitions contribute... Read More

5 Familiar Bodybuilding Troubles...Which Do You Want To Overcome?

In my 3 decades of training experience I have identified... Read More

3 Amazing Ways to Shape Up Your Muscles in Less Than 7 days!

Imagine you need to look great to get all the... Read More