RECLAIM THE PUMP
Want to feel bigger and stronger without looking like an 1980s bodybuilder? Our scientific guide to “the pump” has your lats
PUMP (verb) Pumped, pumping, pumps
01 - To exert one’s muscles to the degree that they become engorged with blood, stretching the cell membranes and stimulating growth - the pump 02 - To pursue and really relish the sensation of that muscular engorgement - chasing the pump 03 - Wresting both the process and the sensation away from the dubiously supplemented blockhead, giving you a thoroughly modern guide to using this maligned style of training to build more muscle, more strength and, yes, more honest-to-goodness size than ever before - reclaiming the pump
Not that long ago, there was one straightforward reason for the repeated picking up and putting down of things: to get massive. Muscular size was the holy grail of training and pioneers in vests that didn’t quite cover their nipples discovered the most effective way to acquire ever bigger bodies – they found “the pump”. By exerting individual muscles to absolute exhaustion, it is possible to make that muscle visibly swell, filling the body part with blood so that it feels and looks bigger. It felt great – really great – and for many men the pursuit of this feeling, “chasing the pump”, became the all-consuming purpose of every minute in the gym.
Then most of us moved on. Exercising became more about fitspan, productivity and mental health. All of which are good. We nobly sought to improve our mobility, posture and functional movement. Again, all worthy endeavours that Men’s Health has and will continue to endorse. Crushing endless reps to pool blood in our biceps simply wasn’t cool any more.
But it does work. The extra blood forces more nutrients into the muscles, while the temporary swelling stretches the membranes and fascia, allowing scope for further growth. Larger muscles have more potential to be strong muscles. So the pump is not wrong, per se. In fact, by applying 2019 sport science nous, the pump can be cool; you can follow your functional and varied training programme while incorporating the technique to become bigger and stronger. And feel really great doing it. Ready?