"Bulking up" while on an Army PT plan

[rotc2013]

Hello all

Am currently a freshman (MSI) in AROTC. I am 6'3", 150 lbs, lanky, but I would consider myself very lean and with very defined muscles. I have been getting better at PT ever since I began the workouts with my battalion, and have definitely seen an increase in my number of pushups, situps, and a decrease in my 2 mile run time.

What I haven't seen, however, is a lot of visible improvement to my muscles. Not that I'm complaining, passing an APFT gives me way more enjoyment than being ripped ever would, but it would be nice to bulk up a little bit.

I feel like because I now work out consistently 3 times a week (something I could never manage to do on my own) I should try to take advantage of it and put on a little bulk.

I know that Army PT is not designed to get you "ripped"; it is supposed to give you endurance and core strength. But would it be impossible for me to build some muscle mass at the same time? Maybe down a protein shake after each workout?

I have heard creatine isn't the best for someone in my situation, mostly because it affects endurance (and I still need that for the 2 mile runs and ruck marches), but does anyone know of any good supplements I could take to maybe bulk me up a little? Vitamins? Powders? Any tips would really be appreciated!

thanks guys

 

[BeatNavy]

If by "working out" three times a week you mean army style calisthenics (pushups, situps, flutter kicks, the like) then no this will not build very much muscle mass. It will help with muscle endurance, but is not very good at building size. If you want to put on some more bulk you should start lifting free weights in the 8-12 rep range, and get a proper level of protein in you within 30 minutes after your workout.

 

[Kero]

No supplements alone are going to bulk you up, its more a matter of the types of workouts you're doing. The only real benifical thing to your goal of bulking up would be to add anarobic excercise in addition to what your doing, ie: low rep high weight. Then things like protein or creatine can add gains from that. However, the typical military workouts tend to work against those gains that you would see from the lifting.

 

[vampsoul]

You have to life to get muscle mass, no matter what you drink. However, getting the proper protein is also important. Find a shake you like and take a serving after working out and one before bed (this helps with muscle recovery while you are sleeping).