Not too many people have what it takes to carve their dream body in the gym. Lifting weights and exercise takes a lot of time and dedication. But what exactly is “the pump?” For the people out there who have never stepped foot in a gym, how does one go about explaining the euphoric benefits of exercise?
Key Takeaways:
- As with most profound physiological processes, the pump results from the complex interplay of a number of related functions
- To achieve maximum muscular growth a pump (scientific name, hyperemia) is essential, and the only way this can be achieved is to train correctly with the right energy intake, to allow sufficient blood flow to the working muscles. Working muscles need blood to supply them with oxygen and nutrients, and remove waste products (namely, lactic acid and carbon dioxide).
- Waste products also require removal, for the muscles to continue their work. Ultimately, muscles need blood to work effectively and recover quickly after exertion. If the muscles are working effectively, muscle growth will result.
“The pump is when your muscles swell up during your workout, which is caused by the excessive amount of blood going into the muscle and filling it up the same way you would fill up a water balloon.”
