Strategy

Bodybuilders use three main strategies to maximize muscle hypertrophy:

• Strength training through weights or elastic/hydraulic resistance
• Specialised nutrition, incorporating extra protein and supplements where necessary
• Adequate rest, including sleep and recuperation between workouts

[edit] Weight training

Weight training causes micro-tears to the muscles being trained; this is generally known as microtrauma. These micro-tears in the muscle contribute to the soreness felt after exercise, called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It is the repair to these micro-trauma that result in muscle growth. Normally, this soreness becomes most apparent a day or two after a workout.