Intensity is a word used by athletes, particularly bodybuilders and powerlifters, to identify how much mind power a person can bring to bear in weight training or aerobics. Intensity walks the fine line between triumph and disaster. Too much mental intensity can destroy your athletic performance as surely as too little will lead straight to defeat. Intensity, in the broad and general sense, is the gathering of mental energies, the narrowing of mental focus, the manipulation of emotions to improve athletic performance. Intensity has several components: * Intensity is being able to push into the pain zone where the muscle growth lies. To trigger muscular gains you have to undergo some physical discomfort.

Not everyone wants to lose body fat. Many people are more interested in gaining weight. Maybe you’re one of them. Are you one of these folks? You’re already lean - too lean, in fact. Your body resembles a straight pin. No matter what you do, you can’t put on weight - you’re what we call a “hard gainer.” Does this mean you’re forever destined to be thin and lanky? Not at all. Believe me, I can empathize with you. I’m a formerly toothin guy also. That’s right. I used to weigh a skinny 120 pounds, with virtually no muscle mass to speak of. But today, in my mid-forties, I have gained 25 pounds of lean muscle. But enough about me, what about you? Can you transform your body too? You bet. In working with hard gainers, I recommend that they follow four basic principles: consume more calories, spread throughout the day; choose growth-producing foods; use supplements to increase calories; and adhere to a program of weight training designed to build lean mass. Here’s a closer look: 1. Consume more calories, spread out through the day. Have you ever cared for a new puppy?