Why I’m Not Hitting My Potential in Weightlifting

So I’ve been doing some introspection lately, and I’ve come to a conclusion as to why my gains are not as great as I’d like them to be first.

First off, the amount of sets I’m doing is just not enough. I’ve averaging about 6 sets per workout, and while the sets themselves are fairly high-intensity, they’re not providing sufficient volume. I highly recommend MadCow’s Training Primer for a solid article on how volume must be used to shape the creation of workouts. Therefore, effective immediately, I am going to start researching workouts that I can do (given my current limited gym setup).

Secondly, I’m not giving my body the nourishment (especially protein), and simple raw caloric excess that it needs to grow and build muscle. Simply, I don’t eat anywhere near as much as I need to grow.

Building muscle is not something the body does easily and willingly. The body must be convinced of the need to develop and adapt. And nothing can do that better than 1) caloric and protein excess and 2) decent heavy volume workouts, 3 days a week.

In spite of my underperformance, I’m still managed to make some gains, and I’m currently the strongest I’ve ever been in my entire life. I know that if I can just push a bit more discipline and time management, that the body I seek will be mine soon.