There are 2 approaches to building muscle. The first approach is to increase the muscle cell fluid within the muscle cell. The second approach is to grow the muscle fibers. To build muscle fast, you must decide which approach you want to take before beginning any muscle building program.

Unfortunately, most programs do not take these two very different approaches into account. Most trainers put beginners on a standard 3 times a week, whole body routine with the typical compound movements done for 3 sets at 8 to 12 repetitions per set. The philosophy is to add more weights each session and get stronger each session.

But strength training and getting stronger each session do not necessarily equate to rapid muscle gains. The ability to lift more weights comes from stronger muscle fibers. It is the “growing the muscle fiber” approach.

While stronger muscle fibers will appear denser and can lead to bigger size; stronger fibers do not necessarily translate into bigger muscles. Most Olympic weightlifters are stronger than bodybuilders, yet most are also smaller.

Bigger muscles result from a combination of bigger muscle fibers and an increase in the muscle cell fluid. In fact, an increase in muscle cell fluid can have a more immediate impact on muscle growth than fiber growth.

Increasing the fluid in each cell will expand the cell. As each cell expands, the muscle fibers will expand. The end result will be a bigger muscle. That is what creatine does. That is why creatine is so popular.

Therefore, to build muscle fast, it is more reasonable to assume that a program designed to increase muscle cell fluid will be more successful.

An approach that works to increase muscle cell fluid is one which causes muscle fatigue through volume lifting. Performing 1 set to failure can be exhausting, but in actuality, it does not fatigue the muscle. The muscle is fatigued through the cumulative effect of many sets.

High volume lifting will fatigue the muscle. It will lead to a rapid increase in muscle cell fluid. And that will lead to rapid muscle gains.