Buff people, give me workout advice.

[Anonymous]

Alright, let's keep this as simple as possible:

- Exactly what do I need to consume to build muscle?

- Is there a way to calculate how much of it I need on a daily basis to build muscle?

- I do not have access to workout equipment; is doing push-ups/sit-ups/whatever else I can do on my own even going to make a visible difference?

Skinny guy trying to build muscle. Basically, just tell me what I need to eat/do (without equipment and on a college kid budget) in order to build muscle. Not looking to be ripped. Just something close to swimmer's build/ottermode.

I'll update if I think of any more questions. Thanks.

[ShishKabob]

If you're skinny, your #1 priority is to eat more than enough. You CAN NOT build muscle unless you are eating more than your body needs. Generally speaking if you're working hard you should be consuming 1.5g to 2g of protein per pound of bodyweight per day. Your body can only process so much protein at a time, so the more spread out the better. Eating more will not make you bigger unless you're spending all day lifting. You'll just burn it up (or store as fat).

If you're very skinny than pushups/situps can make a small, visible difference at first. However, it will be minimal. To gain mass you need to do low repetitions. Most exercises would be a set of 10 reps, then 8 reps, then 6 or less. The last set should be maxing out. Basically you need some sort of resistance. Doing pushups all day will burn more calories than add muscle. Same for situps. If you're just doing pushups/situps/pullups there is no need to buy any fancy protein products as they do not build muscle on their own. You need a good workout.

As much as I hate Planet Fitness, they're only $10 a month. Their are probably some gyms around you that are cheaper than you think. I've tried the home workout, it's pretty much a waste of time if you want to build muscle.

You can get mass/weight gainer for a reasonable price. If you're patient you can look online and find whey protein powder for $5-$6 a pound, I'd recommend that if you start working out harder. Creatine isn't terrible either, I don't know where the other guy is getting his $30 a month price. Just like protein your body can only take so much. I get name brand Creatine for under $15 and that's 120 servings. Even still, it is not magic.

[Asker]

Thanks. Kinda' bummed to hear the home workout doesn't work, though. I REALLY cannot afford a gym, I'm not going to be able to finish the school year without asking my parents for grocery money as it is. It may seem kind of silly but if push-ups/sit-ups don't work I may just have to lift some furniture in my room or something...

Also, I have no idea what the exercise terminology means...

[bprox]

do protein shakes and maybe take vitamin pills

biggest advice though! take CREATINE, this stuff works wonders, it increases blood flow to your muscles giving you more energy, and making your work out more effective. it has been equated to legal steroids+it doesn't make your pee pee shrivel up

[Asker]

Is it expensive/will it turn me into a hormone raging douchebag? Where can you buy it?

[bprox]

its prob 30 dollars for a months worth. no, it is also claimed to make you last longer in bed too =P

any like vitamin shoppe, and maybe walmart, although you have to be 18 to buy it, so heads up

[Asker]

Alright sounds good. I'll try and pick some up next time I'm at a store. Can you elaborate on the vitamin pills? Is there a certain kind I should be buying? Also, what are some specific foods I should be eating? I'm looking to completely alter my diet to things packed with whatever it is I need to build muscle. I'd rather not tip-toe around it, honestly; I'd like to just eat a sh*tload of the few foods that will really help muscle growth.

[bprox]

hmm, well vitamin pills are just to get all the nutrients yyou need in a day, and obviously proteins are what you mostly need to eat, fish, eggs, red meat, etc has a lot of protein

[ShishKabob]

No, it does work by increasing blood flow. The way Creatine works is fairly complex: link

[bprox]

i know that I was just calling it a steroid, due to its effectiveness, yes its also being used to try and find some treatments with sum pulminary diseases (I think) I was merely giving a landscape view of it but thx for the site

[ShishKabob]

EDIT: I meant to say it does NOT work by increasing blood flow.