5 Devices for Helping Weightlifters Build Muscle and Strength

Many factors affect weight training and muscle gains, and it can be hard to keep track of it all. This is how technology can help.

If you're a bodybuilder or even a casual weight lifter, then you already know what it takes to build muscle. The equation is easy. Introduce muscle damage by lifting heavy weights, then feed your body the nutrients it needs to rebuild damaged muscles. In practice, this translates into hitting the gym, eating a ton of protein, and trying to get as much water and sleep as possible.

While the math is relatively simple, and while people have been bodybuilding without fancy gadgets for time immemorial, there are several pieces of tech that modern humans can use to supercharge their bodybuilding journies and achieve maximum gains.

While there are several apps to boost muscle gains and other apps to help build upper body muscle, there are also hardware devices that you can also use to supplement your workouts. For example, Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) devices use electrical impulses to create muscle contractions by stimulating your motor neurons.

The stimulation created by these devices can be rapid and intermittent, or slow and long. By using an EMS device, you can create strong muscular contractions without having to lift any weights.

What's neat—and a little sneaky—is that your body doesn't know the difference between a muscle contraction caused by an intentional flex and one caused by electrical stimulation.

The benefit of using an EMS unit such as the Compex SP 4.0 is that it can shorten regeneration time relieving existing tension and pain, all from the comfort of your own home. According to research cited in Scientific American, EMS devices may help build strength as well as help with recovery and relaxation between gym days.

Don't kid yourself, though; EMS devices will not let you sit on the couch eating twinkies while you transform into The Rock. However, these devices may help you be better prepared to hit the squat rack the next time leg day rolls around.

A good night's sleep can be a secret weapon, especially if you're trying to build muscle. In fact, some might say that rest is the most important aspect of building muscle since you can't grow if you don't let your body recover. So, are you getting enough sleep?

Probably not, especially since bodybuilders and weightlifters need more than the average person. After all, since you're putting your body through strenuous activity, it makes sense that it would need more time to recover than someone sitting at a desk all day.

Sleep trackers are a great way to determine how much sleep you're getting, and of what quality. Dedicated devices are also much more accurate than one of the several available apps to help you track your sleep.

To get the best results, you'll want to check out a device like the Amazon Halo Rise contactless sleep tracker or one of the many wearable sleep trackers with sensors that can track your heartbeat and even blood oxygen levels.

Following sleep, nutrition might be the second-most important piece of the muscle-building equation. Without the proper building blocks, your body won't have what it needs to assemble new muscle fibers, ergo your body won't grow bigger or stronger as quickly.

For bodybuilders, especially hard gainers, calorie counting is as important as macro counting since it's often difficult to get enough calories. This means making sure you are getting the right ratio of protein, complex carbs, fat, and vitamins.

To fully understand the impact the food you eat is having on your body, check out one of the many meal-tracking assistants, such as MyFitnessPal.

MyFitnessPal is a popular health and fitness service that allows you to track nutritional intake across your devices. The service, which comes in the form of a website and app available on Apple, Garmin, Samsung, Android, Fitbit, and other smart devices, allows you to track food and see a breakdown of calories and nutrients, as well as discover how the food you're eating is supporting your goals.

Building muscle often requires a difficult-to-achieve amount of protein intake, which is why bodybuilders tend to consume large amounts of eggs and protein powders. Meat is also a great source of protein, and if you're going to be consuming a lot of it, it might make sense to invest in a gadget that makes cooking meat—whether chicken, beef, or pork—more effortless.

There are several good smart meat thermometers to choose from, each with different strengths. Features to consider include whether the device has a companion app that lets you set target temperatures and receive alerts on your smartphone, whether the device is completely wireless, and whether the device can measure the temperature inside as well as outside whatever you're cooking.

As a bodybuilder, especially one at the upper end of the competitive spectrum, body fat content is an important metric to monitor. The less body fat, the more your muscles will show through, which is especially important as you approach competition.

Most fitness trackers and smartphones feature a pedometer for counting steps, and a wearable like the Apple Watch can measure your heart rate, sleep habits, and other metrics. However, the BioActive Sensor available in some Samsung Galaxy Watches can also accurately measure your body composition.

What is body composition? In basic terms, your body composition is the ratio of fat to muscle in your body. If you're a bodybuilder, you'll find the data from the BioActive Sensor especially useful because it will help you plan and measure the impact of your nutrition and exercise routines and reach the next level of muscle-building and fat-shredding performance.

Are you doing everything you can to maximize muscle gains? Maybe there's a device or app that you can be using to sleep and eat better or gain deeper insights into your own physiology. Or maybe an EMS device can help you recover between workouts. Wherever you may need support, technology could offer you the solution you've been looking for.

Sean is a long-time tech-enthusiast and early adopter who enjoys keeping up with the latest technological advances. He focuses on exploring how tech such as wearables and AI are impacting people's health and wellbeing. He has a master's degree and, before writing for MakeUseOf, spent time as a technology instructor. He's been writing about technology for over 10 years. When he's not at his standing desk, you’ll find him on the volleyball court or on a mountain.