Ever wondered how long that post-workout muscle pump lasts? We going to look what factors influence the pump duration, what you can do to extend it, and why it’s more than just a temporary boost in muscle size.
Let’s unlock the secrets to maximizing your gym gains!
The Science of the Gym Pump
Before we talk about how long a gym pump lasts for, let's first figure out exactly what it is.
The gym pump is a term that refers to feeling during and shortly after your training session when your muscles feel tight and larger from your workout.
Unfortunately, this increased muscle size is rather temporary, as it's caused by an increase in blood flow to the muscles that worked out.
That blood is of course beneficial because it provides your muscles with nutrients and oxygen, so the more blood is flowing through them, the more nutrition your muscles get.
Lifting weights causes stress to your muscles, and this in turn causes your body to increase circulation.
Your body is trying to provide your muscles with more blood, oxygen, and nutrients.
This increased blood flow is known as vasodilation, which is when your blood vessels expand to allow for additional blood to flow through them.
This ultimately makes your muscles swell up to a much larger size and feel harder too, which is what the gym pump is all about.
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How Long Does a Gym Pump Last?
In general, you can expect your typical gym pump to last between two and three hours, although this can depend on a variety of factors.
Factors That Influence How Long a Gym Pump Lasts For
Although you likely won't get more than three hours out of a good gym pump, there are some factors that will influence just how long those muscles stay so big and hard.
Hydration and Diet
Although it might not be the first thing that people think of, both hydration and diet are crucial for getting a good pump going and for helping it last longer.
Water is important because it helps maintain good blood volume, so if you're very well hydrated, you should have slightly more blood volume, and that can contribute to a better pump.
Furthermore, if you eat foods that are rich in nitrates, such as spinach, it may also help enhance your blood flow, which may increase your pump.
Remember that carbohydrates draw water into your muscles, so eating a few of those before your workout can help you get a good pump going as well.
Rest
If you are looking for a great pump, and you want it to last longer, try resting less in between sets. The less you rest in between sets, the more blood stays in your muscles.
Intensity of the Workout
The other way to ensure that your pump lasts for as long as possible is to work out as hard as you can.
The more intense your workout is and the more weight you lift, the more blood you push into your muscles.
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Getting the Most Out of Your Gym Pump
Here are a few great tips to help you maximize that pump.
- Try taking some pre-workout, especially ones that have citrulline and L-arginine contained in them, as they help to increase blood flow.
- Eat plenty of carbohydrate and nitrate-rich foods before your workout, as these will help pull water into your muscles and increase blood flow.
- If you want a maximum pump, do higher more with less weight, as this tends to promote more blood flow than going lower reps with more weight.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking to maximize that pump, what it really comes down to is eating right, lifting intensely, and going for maximum reps.
