Although most people are working out adequately enough to get muscle gain, a better understanding of the way anabolism and catabolism works will help the athlete who seeks to build muscle optimally, not just adequately, but for most muscle growth. How is Muscle Growth Stimulated? When tissues receive damage called micro tears, the muscles rebuild and this creates muscle growth. The damage muscles receive that creates micro tears is considered good damage because your body will be calling upon itself to make the muscles better and stronger than ever before. It is almost as if the body is realizing that this activity may occur again in the near future and next time it needs to be prepared. When does Muscle Growth Occur? Muscle growth will only occur when your body is in an anabolic state. This is when understanding the difference between anabolism and catabolism becomes so important for increasing your vertical. When your body has sufficient energy to rebuild and repair muscles, it is in an anabolic state. When your body lacks sufficient energy and substances, it must break down other structures to obtain the required energy, creating a catabolic state. It should be fairly obvious that when you are trying to grow stronger, catabolism should be avoided. How Do I Become Anabolic? Proper nutrition is what separates the successful athletes from the less successful ones. It has long been the secret to getting the most gains. Having an ample source of carbohydrates and other nutrients will ensure that anabolism is happening. Otherwise, after a workout in which you do not immediately supplement yourself with nutrients, you will find your body in a state of catabolism, which may result in muscle loss rather than gain. So remember, don't neglect your nutrition after an intense workout. Intense workouts without a sufficient diet may end up doing you more harm than good.