Two ways your muscles can get bigger.

Most of us start working out because we want more muscles. For some people, it comes easily. For others, it is always an elusive goal. Regardless of which camp you are in, success will only come through hard work and consistency.

First, a muscle fiber gets bigger by increasing the size of the myofibrils. Those are the protein-based component that is responsible for contraction. This is achieved by maximizing your strength: higher weights and lower reps. Sometimes, one working set to failure is enough.

The second way a muscle gets bigger is by storing more energy. You have to remember that your muscle will always adapt to the stress by trying to make it's job easier. So if your training session significantly reduced muscle glycogen, this is a stress for your body. During the recovery process, it will store more energy in order to be ready for next time. To achieve this, you need to work a little longer. You want to get to the point where you have a build up of lactic acid and your muscles are burning.

So, by including both approaches into your training, you will be sure to maximize your gains. Remember that the effort you put it is the most important aspect. If you have average workouts, you'll get average results. Give it your maximum and give your muscle time to recover. It'll work.