It’s natural that your testosterone levels drop as you age. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. Nor that you have to say goodbye to your muscles.
During my eight years as a personal trainer, I’ve seen men skyrocket their athletic performance by boosting their T-levels.
I’ll share insider secrets on how testosterone boosters work. Plus, you’ll learn how to get the most out of them with smart resistance training.
Quick Summary
- Testosterone boosters help build muscles by increasing neurotransmitters, stimulating protein synthesis, and accelerating metabolism.
- To boost testosterone through strength training, engage in high-intensity workouts, shorten the duration of your workouts, and split your singles to between 3-10 reps.
- It takes testosterone roughly between 10-12 weeks to build muscles.
Do TRT or Boosters Work Better for Muscle Growth?
Testosterone boosters help build muscle mass by supporting optimal testosterone levels in the body. While they don't directly contain the hormone itself, they often contain ingredients that promote testosterone production. Increased testosterone levels contribute to muscle growth through mechanisms such as enhanced protein synthesis, increased neurotransmitter activity, and a boosted metabolism that aids in fat loss. By supporting the body's testosterone production, these boosters can provide a favorable environment for muscle building and overall physical performance.
Testosterone boosting supplements, such as natural testosterone supplements, can benefit for individuals seeking to optimize their muscle growth potential by supporting normal testosterone levels. By incorporating these supplements into a balanced fitness and nutrition regimen, individuals can enhance their muscle-building efforts and promote overall hormonal balance.
Testosterone boosters contain ingredients that stimulate testosterone production. That can be a plus since these are natural supplements that shouldn’t damage your health when taken correctly.
However, if you suffer from naturally low testosterone levels, test boosters may not be able to help you get them up.
In that case, try looking into other forms of treatment, like testosterone replacement therapy, often provided by leading online TRT clinics.
But why would testosterone help you build muscles, anyway?
Well, research suggests that this steroid hormone plays a key role in building muscles [1]. It promotes muscle growth and strength in three fundamental ways. We’ll go through them in depth below.
As a side note, we also know that men with lower levels of testosterone suffer from poor bone density - i.e., weak bones. That’s why they’re more prone to bone fractures and breaks than men with high testosterone levels.
While this doesn’t influence muscle growth, it’s an important thing to note if you regularly work out.
1. Increased Neurotransmitters
High levels of testosterone increase neurotransmitters, which help with muscle gain.
Neurotransmitters are chemical substances that transfer a nerve impulse from a nerve fiber to, say, a muscle fiber.
By doing so, neurotransmitters encourage tissue growth. Since skeleton muscles are tissue, it’s like saying neurotransmitters promote muscle growth.
2. Stimulated Protein Synthesis
Testosterone stimulates protein synthesis, which is crucial for muscle growth. Proteins help repair muscle tissue after intense workouts and help you reach peak performance.
That’s why you might often see advice to eat protein-rich food to gain muscles.
While your body naturally produces proteins, testosterone boosters can increase the amounts in which it’s produced. That’s important because you need more protein than you break down to build muscles.
But keep in mind that there is such thing as too much protein:
“In fact, medical research shows that consuming too much protein -- more than 30% of your total daily caloric intake -- could actually harm your body.”
- Gail Butterfield, Ph.D., RD
So, if you start taking testosterone boosters, consider dialing down the protein you get from your diet.
Keeping your muscles requires less protein than building them anyway, so you can start decreasing your daily intake once you’re happy with your results.
3. Accelerated Metabolism
Testosterone boosters can also speed up your metabolism and help you burn more fat.
What’s more, testosterone levels influence where your body stores fat.
For example, if you have low testosterone, you’re more likely to store fat in the abdominal area. And belly fat doesn’t sound too flattering, does it?
So, if there’s an imbalance between your estrogen and testosterone levels—the female and male hormones—you’re probably a good candidate for testosterone therapy.
Without it, you might put in a lot of hard work without getting the results you deserve.
You can check your hormone levels by buying a self-administered test kit or ordering a blood test through your GP.
If you find that your T-levels are lower than they should be, think about investing in natural testosterone boosters.
They won’t necessarily help you lose weight, but they should decrease fat [2].
How To Make The Most Out Of Test Boosters With Strength Training?
The relationship between testosterone and physical exercise goes both ways. Regular exercise can boost testosterone levels, while high testosterone can improve muscle strength.
To make the most out of your testosterone supplements, pair them with proper resistance training.
Here are a few tips for your next testosterone-boosting workout:
- Work out at high intensity. High-intensity workouts trigger a boost in testosterone levels because your body needs more protein to recover. And, since testosterone promotes protein synthesis, your body will send signals to your brain to produce more T.
- Split singles into 3-10 reps. It’s unclear why, but your body produces more testosterone when you split your workout into reps instead of doing everything in one go. To maximize your testosterone levels, do 3-10 reps for each exercise.
- Shorten the overall duration of your workouts. Since you’ll be working out at a higher intensity, you should limit your gym sessions to 60 minutes.
That’s because longer medium and high-intensity workouts stimulate cortisol production.
Cortisol, the stress hormone, is known to kill testosterone levels and, in some cases, even cause erectile dysfunction. So, avoid long workouts at all costs.
By combining testosterone boosters with smart resistance training, you’ll boost your natural testosterone levels in no time. As a bonus, you can also expect an increase in your muscle size, strength, energy levels, and sex drive.
For the best and fastest results, we recommend keeping a healthy diet, too.
Start by eating more foods that increase testosterone levels, such as bananas, tuna, egg yolks, and foods rich in vitamin D.
FAQs
How Fast Does Testosterone Build Muscle?
In most cases, testosterone builds muscle in 10-12 weeks, while you’ll have to wait 6-12 months to see maximum effects.
When Is the Best Time to Take a Testosterone Booster?
The best time to take a testosterone booster is usually in the morning, right before having breakfast. But you should always check what the product packaging says.
Can Testosterone Boosters Help You Build Muscle Mass?
Testosterone boosters can help you build muscle mass, especially when combined with resistance training.
That’s because testosterone plays a vital role in muscle growth, along with other sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
However, it’s important to note that boosters may not be as effective if you suffer from naturally low testosterone levels.
In that case, you might want to look into a more effective testosterone treatment, like testosterone replacement therapy.
But, if your T-levels are somewhere around the normal range, give boosters a go. Pair them with our tips on resistance training, and you should see excellent results.
References:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2917954/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/testosterone-and-fat-loss#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6
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