In bodybuilding and fitness, there are numerous nutrients and dietary regimens to choose from to achieve the ideal physique that an individual desires. However, protein stands out the most because of its ability to provide the greatest number of benefits to the individual. Despite its prominence, protein has been associated with numerous misconceptions, and Mike Mentzer once discussed it in a resurfaced audio clip published by Heavy Duty College on YouTube.
Back then, the bodybuilding icon highlighted straightforwardly that the daily requirement of this nutrient is exclusively determined by the person’s body weight, not how much they lift in the gym.
He then addressed another common misconception about protein, stating that fitness fans have long held the belief that bodybuilders require more protein than the typical person; however, this is not the case, as Mentzer explained:
“Keep in mind again that muscle growth on a daily basis is very very slow. 10 lbs gain in one year comes out to less than 12 grams gained per day; that’s less than half an ounce of muscle gain per day, and most of that is water.”
Muscle growth does not occur overnight; it is a gradual process that requires consistent training and a well-balanced diet rich in all of the necessary elements.
While increased protein consumption might boost the advantages, beyond a specific threshold, overconsumption renders it useless, and extra calorie intake is never helpful for the human body.
The pioneer of HIT has encountered numerous misconceptions like this before, as he once provided a workout program to obtain maximum growth.
Mike Mentzer’s Way to Achieve Maximum Gains
There is always a dispute in the fitness field over different training regimens that allow people to achieve optimal results. However, according to Mike Mentzer, achieving the ideal body does not occur simply by hitting the gym but during the recovery phase.
Muscle hypertrophy has always been the sole key to muscle growth, as the body goes through the healing stage of muscle wear and tear, typically providing the pump that the physique requires.
Based on his observations, training on consecutive days causes the body to not recuperate properly, which can have a significant impact on growth. The late icon also indicates that the person may experience exhaustion and will be unable to offer their utmost during the workout session.
To overcome these concerns, he recommends a 72-hour program since it provides two days of recuperation in between a single day of rigorous training, which Mentzer believes is the best method to grow muscle while avoiding overtraining.
