How to Boost Testosterone Naturally and Build Muscle Faster

Steroids allow some lifters to put extra testosterone straight into their bodies, but how are we natural guys supposed to optimize our hormone levels? This is one of the biggest questions in bodybuilding today. While many nutritionists, athletes, and trainers would tell you that there’s really nothing you can do about it, I beg to differ. You’re not going to achieve “steroid-like gains” with natural test-boosting techniques, but you can certainly pack on a few extra pounds of muscle if you do everything right. Here are some of the most effective methods to boost testosterone naturally and build muscle faster.

Natural Supplements

There are a lot of junk supplements out there that claim to deliver the same effects as steroids without the high costs, physical side effects, and legal risks. If you’re actually thinking about buying any of this crap, just remember: if something seems too good to be true, it is! These products won’t make your muscles bigger, but they will make your wallet thinner.

That being said, there are a few all-natural supplements on the market that have been shown to increase blood testosterone levels, especially in people who suffer from chronically low levels of this crucial hormone. The most effective one is called tribulus terrestris, and it’s sold at almost every supplement shop and online store. There are a few decent products which incorporate tribulus along with other ingredients, but you can great effects from buying it plain.

Dietary Changes

Like everything else related to building muscle and losing fat, proper nutrition is key to boosting your testosterone levels. However, you’re going need to keep an open mind on this one. Like many nutritionists will tell you, protein is great for high testosterone levels – but you’re probably eating tons of the stuff, right?

You wanna know what really jacks your testosterone levels up? Saturated fat! Studies have shown time and again that a diet rich in monounsaturated AND saturated fats is conducive to high testosterone levels. What’s more, research on various diets throughout the world suggests that neither plant-based nor animal-based sources of saturated fat are the real culprit behind obesity and fat gain. If you want to get lean while boosting your test levels, cut some of the starch and sugar out of your diet and gnaw on a big hunk of beef!

Heavy Lifting

If you’re trying to build muscle, you should already be lifting some seriously heavy weights. However, lifting heavy in the 4-6 rep range does more than just stimulate strength and size gains. Natural athletes who regularly lift the heaviest weights – powerlifters and Olympic lifters – have been shown to have higher testosterone levels than people who train lighter. Save the pump for end of your workout and focus on adding plates to that bar.

Sleep

Sleep has got to be the most overlooked recovery modality. While beginner bodybuilders always read about the holy trinity of heavy weights, big eating, and lots of rest, it seems that intermediate and advanced guys stop worrying about sleep somewhere along the way. This is a huge mistake!

Getting plenty of sleep AND maintaining a normal sleep schedule are critical for your body to maintain optimal hormone levels. Your testosterone fluctuates throughout the day, but it will never be as high as possible unless you get enough sleep. Ideally you’d get to bed early enough each night not to require an alarm clock in the morning. We’re all busy, though, so just make sure you’re getting six hours MINIMUM. Try to be more efficient in your daily tasks so you can adjust your bedtimes or at least catch a few catnaps – those help, too.

Stress Management

How often do you see a ripped, muscular, and just plain manly dude who’s also worried all the time? Yea, not too often. Not only does chronically high stress kill your energy levels and knock the wind out of your sails before you even get to the gym – it is poison for your hormonal balance.

If you want to be a successful bodybuilder, you’ve got to remove or at least mitigate the stress in your life. Quit hanging out with people who just piss you off anyway, and take time to relax when you need it. You’re always going to have stressful stuff to deal with, but get your priorities in order and stop making your life harder than it needs to be. Your muscles and your mind will both thank you.

Other Hormones to Consider

If you want to build as much muscle as you can without steroids, you’ve got to think about optimizing all of your hormone levels, not just testosterone. The two most important to consider are insulin and growth hormone – but that’s another article!

Article by Sixpackfactory’s Muscle Building Expert and Top Fitness Model Justin Woltering. Get more info on Justin at: http://www.justinwoltering.com/