Confused hardgainer

[741]

I am a small person with a high metabolism. Although I would like to gain mass, I would also like to continue training. After all the research I've done, it looks like that if my primary goal is to gain mass, I have to cut out all activity that burns energy since my metabolism is so high. Currently, I train 2-3 hours 5 times a week, do sprints 3 times a week, and lift weights 3 times a week. I really want to get bigger, but I also don't want to stop training and running.

I know some people say that a martial artist's goals should never include gaining mass, but I have a very, very small frame(5ft8, 135lbs); if I'm not large enough, all the training that I'm doing is just useless anyways right?

Is there anything I can do to keep training while gaining mass as well? When it ultimately comes down to picking between only training or only gaining muscle though, I would have to pick training.

[HtTKar]

How old are you? If you're young, then thats pretty normal. Once you start getting older you'll start widening out and putting on mass naturally. At 5'8" 135, you're skinny but that's good. I have one friend that is 5'8", when he was 18 he only weighed 125. Now he's older and weighs around 170. Look at all the middleweight boxers bios. Being skinny does give you some advantages, like speed, that others dont have. If your still growing I wouldnt let it bother me.

[741]

See, this is the sad part. I'm quite old already (mid-20's) and I think I've already reached my peak physical size...

[HtTKar]

Well, you work out a lot more than most people. Its not just your natural metabolism, but also the fact that you are doing so much work. Still I wouldnt worry about it. Look at professional boxers there are literaly tons of them under 135lbs.

For you to put on weight you're going to need to eat a lot of protein, Maybe even up to 2grams per lb of bodyweight. 270-300 grams of protein per day and you'll put on mass. The problem is that with your active schedule you might have problems finding the time to eat all that protein rich food and still enjoy your diet. You might need to start looking at Whey protein isolate, or hydrolyzed protein as a supplement in order to gain all the extra protein needed. Just remember to stick with good sources of protein. Plus since you body is burning a lot of calories as you sleep, it would be a good idea to drink a pint of milk before bed. The Cassien proteins in WHOLE MILK will burn for about 7.5hrs. This way your body can continue to grow even in your sleep. Otherwise you body will start eating it's own muscle throughout the night.

[nitsuj2480]

Alright ok your body fat is probably incredibly low so what does this mean.Those sprints your doing are burning off everything you eat and the weightlifting 3 times a week is also so a good idea would be to do the following( it worked for me)
Eat anything(your young honestly at your weight it wont hurt you)
Eat mostly proteins and meats
Drink a half gallon of milk a day
Do not sprint at all
(most of those big sprinters took off seasons with weights and were not hardgainers to start)
Do Compound Movements with weights and only 2x a week like so:
Bench Press reps 3x8-10
Bent over Dumbell Rows 3x8-12
Barbell Curls reps 3x8-12
(this will blow up your biceps usually whether you gain alot of weight anyways 1 lb on your biceps looks alot more then 1 lb on your legs)
No AB WORK WHATSOEVER or at least only to maintain ab strength
(Abs are all diet to get that six pack if seen drug addicts who havent spent a day in the gym with six packs)
Also Never work chest when you work shoulders in the same day because you use them so much with chest lifts
Do mostly pressing movements for the front
and pull movements for the back other wise your not going to gain mass if you dont already have it.)
Excercises I would recommend the most
Squats(start off light do 10-12 reps do not try to max out on legs unless you want to break your hamstring or have been doing them for years)
Deadlifts(Do 6-8 reps of a very low weight perhaps just the bar for your weight I do 350lbs but I built up to intelligently I dont like to use the word slow with weightlifting when the body changes quickly)
Shoulder Shrugs(grab some dumbells and shrug like you just dont know hold at the top for a second and lower slowly 20-25 reps this will help your neck from being hurt a little and blow out you muscles on the top of your collar bone)
Leg Extensions(to make sure you dont snap a tendon in your legs do very high reps on these 20-25 and yes they will hurt but if they are making your muscles sore after 2 weeks that your doing it you need to lower the weight these are supposed to be warmups)
There are more ways if you would like to send me a message please do so