Categories: Uncategorized

What Actually Causes Muscle Growth?

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build muscle, you might have heard that creating small “micro-tears” in your muscles is the key to getting bigger. Well, not exactly! So what causes muscle growth? The real driver behind muscle growth (aka muscular hypertrophy) is mechanical tension. And no, this isn’t about tearing your muscles apart 24/7 like you’re some kind of Attack on Titan character fending off Titans.

Let’s break it down. Mechanical tension is essentially the force your muscles experience while lifting weights or working out. This force is increased when your muscle experiencing a involuntary slowing down during it’s contraction phase.
So basically when you are towards the end of your set and it gets harder to move the weight so the repetition slows down… That’s when you experience the most mechanical tension.

It’s not just about how much you lift; it’s how you lift and what your muscles are doing during those reps that really counts. Ready to dive in and unlock the secret to gaining muscle? Let’s power up!

The 3 Ways Your Muscles Experience Mechanical Tension (Like Training with Master Roshi)

Your muscles experience mechanical tension in three primary ways: through the amount of weight you lift, the number of reps you perform, and the specific exercises you choose. Think of it like a combination of techniques that Goku would use to perfect his training—different moves, different intensities, all aimed at becoming stronger.

Amount of Load (How Heavy You’re Lifting):
The heavier the weight, the more force your muscles must produce to move it. This is like trying to pick up Thor’s hammer—if it’s too light, you’re not going to challenge yourself enough to grow. Heavyweights are key for increasing mechanical tension.
Volume (How Many Reps You’re Doing):
Volume refers to the total number of reps your muscles experience during a workout. You can’t just go super heavy for one rep and call it a day (unless you’re Vegeta). Repeating the movement multiple times forces your muscles to adapt and grow stronger over time.
Exercise Selection (Choosing the Right Moves):
Choosing the right exercise is like choosing the right weapon in an RPG—some exercises are more efficient at targeting certain muscles. For instance, a hack squat is more stable than a barbell squat, meaning you can put more direct load on your quads. The closer you are to failure in each exercise, the more mechanical tension you’re placing on your muscles.

Why Micro-Tears Really Don't Matter

Let’s get one thing straight—micro-tears are a part of the muscle-building process, but they aren’t the sole reason you’re gaining muscle. If that were true, you could just crank out 30 sets of bicep curls every day and walk away with 22-inch arms. But in reality, that’s just “junk volume.”

Doing endless sets without strategic mechanical tension might damage your muscles, but it’s not going to lead to the kind of gains you’re after. Plus, all that unnecessary volume will slow down your recovery. What really triggers muscle growth is the right balance of mechanical tension, not just tearing things apart for the sake of it.

Train Smarter, Not Harder

So what causes muscle growth? To sum it up, building muscle isn’t about destroying your muscles every day with endless sets. It’s about understanding how mechanical tension works and applying it to your training in the most effective way possible. Think of it like training with Master Roshi—you don’t just go into battle blindly. You train with focus, intent, and strategy.

Ready to Apply These Secrets to Your Training?

Now that you know the real driver of muscle growth, it’s time to start applying these principles to your workouts! If you’re looking for a structured program that incorporates the right mix of mechanical tension, volume, and exercise selection, join my anime physique workout program. I talked about Master Roshi a bit, he has his own workout program that’s focused on barbells and dumbbells Here. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced lifter, this program is designed to help you build muscle and gain strength without wasting time on junk volume.

I also offer free consultations to help you optimize your workouts and nutrition. And don’t forget about our fitness community—a group of fellow anime-lovers who are working hard to level up their strength and fitness.

[Click here to sign up for your free consultation] and start training smarter, not harder!