As vulgur as the word may sound to you, a workout pump isn’t actually a dirty phrase. But it wouldn’t surprise me if you thought that if you’ve watched Arnold describe what a pump is in the classic “Pumping Iron.” You probably don’t know this, but a “pump is actually called hyperemia. When you workout, blood flow is diverted from other parts of the body into the muscle. Your body does this to make sure that the muscle is performing optimally. This is what causes the muscle you work to bulge out and look huge. It’s honestly pretty awesome to see. It’s sort of like unlocking your hidden potential and seeing where you can end up.
Today I’m going to tell you about what a workout pump is, and it’s importance. I’ll be covering this from both powerlifting and bodybuilding standpoints.
How do you get a workout pump?
Your muscles are like fruit. If you let your fruit get dry, then they shrivel up and look lifeless. However, if you hydrate the fruit, it looks plump and full. The same applies to you. Keeping yourself hydrated means a greater blood volume and fluid to fill your muscles, which amplifies the workout pump.
The easiest way to get a pump is through weight training. Your muscles will need an immediate energy source. So, your body feeds your muscles ATP, creatine, and muscle glycogen that are situated around the guns. This allows your body to continue to work while assisting with the pump.
Also, make sure to take in enough carbs before your workout. Your muscles need to fill with glycogen if you want a really big pump. This is why you look “fat” on a low-carb diet despite the sheer volume of work they put in.
Do you need a pump to build strength?
Well, if you want the short answer for this question, it’s…not as much. When you’re stength training, you get less of a pump because you’re doing higher weights with lower rep ranges. It actually triggers a different kind of hypertrophy in your body. This results in an increase in the size of contractual filaments, which effects your strength and power directly.
However, I tend to look a bit blown up when I finish my powerlifting style workouts. I guess any time you’re in there moving heavy weights, you’ll get at least a little bit of a pump.
Do you need a pump for bodybulding?
Yes. That’s the simple answer for this question. If you’re training for strength and power, like mentioned above, you don’t have to chase the pump. But, if you’re training to look good on a stage you absolutely do.
This is why you see bodybuilders working with less weight and higher rep ranges. Getting stronger and lifting heavier weights will have to happen, sure, but usually at a much slower pace than anybody chasing a powerlifting goal.
