Much of the muscle tone and bulkiness in XL American Bullies is genetic. However, you can bulk up your Bully to its fullest potential. If you want to learn how to add serious muscle to your American Bully, we’ll cover a few effective methods. Just like people, dogs can bulk up with increased muscle mass and strength. And just like in humans, fat weight is not muscle. Too much fat weight can actually harm your Bully’s organs. These are healthy ways to add muscle mass (not fat) to your dog’s frame. Ready to help your XL Bully bulk up?
Resistance Workouts for Your XL Bully
Just as you might hit the gym to gain muscle, your dog needs resistance workouts to build muscle. But since your American Bully can’t exactly join Planet Fitness, what kind of exercises should they do? There are lots of exercises a Bully can do, with running and swimming probably being the most popular forms of exercise. And while running and swimming are great, they are typically more of a cardiovascular workout and not ideal for adding muscle mass. But cardio is great for defining muscle on the Bully (for the chiseled look). So, you definitely want some kind of cardio in your dog’s exercise routine. To build muscle, you need to find a way to add resistance to your Bully’s exercise routine. Note that although swimming is cardio, it is also subtle resistance.
Here are some effective resistance workouts that can help your XL American Bully build more muscle:
Weight Pull
Attach a harness to your Bully and get them to pull a weight. Weight is often in the form of bricks, concrete, or a weight from your free weights. The added weight increases the resistance, helping to build stronger leg and chest muscles in your American Bully. Start with a small weight and gradually increase it over an appropriate timeframe. Note that heavy weight pull exercises should not be added to a Bully puppy’s regimen (although you can get them used to wearing the harness with nominal weight added while they are still puppies). Wait until about 18 to 24 months of age, when your Bully is finished growing.
Weighted Vest
Just like to weight pulling, a weighted vest adds resistance and makes it more challenging for your dog to run. A weight vest turns any movement into a resistance workout. You could do something as simple as a throwing a ball with your Bully to help them build stronger muscles. Again, this is something you don’t want to do until your dog is 18 to 24 months of age. Doing so can cause a lot of harm to your Bully puppy’s bones, joints, growth plates, and tendons.
Flirt Pole
A flirt pole is simple to construct. Move the pole and encourage your dog to chase and leap for the toy attached to the string. The aim is to get your Bully to run and jump higher each time. It’s like playing a game of keep away, enticing them to reach for the prize. This jumping action helps build strong rear leg muscles.
Spring Pole
A spring pole is a muscle-building exercise tool for dogs that consists of a spring attached to a pole with a rope or toy hanging from it. Bullies engage with the spring pole by tugging and pulling, which mimics natural prey behavior. This activity helps build muscles in the neck, chest, and jaws, and also strengthens the legs as your Bully pulls and jumps. Additionally, using a spring pole can burn off excess energy, improve obedience, and enhance impulse control in dogs. It should be mentioned that some state or local ordinances consider a spring pole dog fighting paraphernalia (I wish you could see my eye roll when I typed that). So just be aware of your local regulations regarding having a spring pole on your property.
Be mindful to take it easy and not over-exert your dog during workouts. Allow their bodies time to recuperate by offering lots of water and sufficient rest between workouts.
Muscle Building Food Regime
Exercise is important to gaining muscle for that chiseled muscular XL Bully look, but it’s not enough. Your XL American Bully will still need the ingredients necessary for building new muscle. They need calories, nutrients, and protein. Begin by selecting the right food. Opt for a high-calorie, high-protein dog kibble. Protein aids in muscle repair and growth for your Bully. Calories provide the energy needed to recover from exercise, keeping your dog active. Additionally, think about incorporating a full raw or partial raw diet. For more feeding tips, check out our YouTube channel.
Be cautious not to overfeed your Bully. Carrying extra fat is hard on your dog and frankly, it’s not appealing. Chubby Bully puppies might be cute, but an overweight adult Bully looks disproportionate (the large body makes their head appear incredibly small). The extra weight drains their energy and stresses their heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver.
Use Muscle-Building Supplements
High-grade, nutrient-rich supplements can play a crucial role in your dog’s muscle growth. Nuvet Supplements provide essential nutrients that can enhance your dog’s capacity to build new muscle.
Rest is Key for Your Bully
Remember, muscles grow when your Bully rests, not while they’re working out. Avoid pushing them too hard and ensure they get plenty of sleep. Allow recovery time between training sessions to help them stay energized and reap the maximum benefits from their exercise.
These methods have helped our dogs build healthy muscles over the years. However, they reflect our personal experiences and are not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult your vet before starting any strenuous exercise program with your dog.
