It’s a common misconception that only women are concerned about their chest size. In fact, many men also desire to have a well-defined chest to feel confident and attractive.
However, if you’re one of those men who are struggling to achieve a desirable chest size, despite working out regularly, then it’s high time to analyze your diet. Two essential blunders you are making in your diet could be the reason why your chest is not growing as you expected. Read on to know more.
Blunder #1: Not consuming enough calories
You might have heard the popular saying, ‘Abs are made in the kitchen.’ The same goes for building a robust chest. The food you eat plays a crucial role in determining whether your chest muscles grow or not.
If you’re not consuming enough calories, your body won’t have the necessary materials to create and repair the muscle tissue in your chest. Stick to an adequate calorie surplus, and make sure that you consume more calories than you burn.
A good rule of thumb is to consume about 500 extra calories per day, mainly from healthy sources such as protein-rich foods, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
If you’re unsure about how many calories you should consume to achieve your desired chest size, there are several online calorie calculators available that can give you an estimate based on your height, weight, activity level, and goals.
Blunder #2: Focusing too much on cardio
Cardiovascular exercise is excellent for fat loss and overall fitness. However, if building a prominent chest is your goal, focusing solely on cardio workouts won’t help you achieve it.
Cardio can burn significant amounts of calories and sometimes lead to muscle loss, which is the opposite of what you want if you’re trying to grow your chest muscles. While it may seem counterintuitive, lifting weights instead of doing cardio can help you burn fat and build muscle at the same time, leading to a more defined chest.
Weightlifting comprises exercises such as bench press, chest flys, push-ups, and dips, which work the muscles in your chest, shoulders, and arms.
Incorporate these exercises into your workout routine and aim to do them for a total of three to four times a week. Remember always to follow proper form and progression to avoid injury and achieve optimal results.
Conclusion
Building a robust chest takes more than just working out. Your diet and lifestyle play an integral part as well. Consuming enough calories and focusing on weightlifting instead of cardio can make all the difference.
Remember to have patience and consistency, as maintaining excellent nutrition habits and lifting weights regularly can take time to produce visible results.