One more rep!

Having trouble adding few more reps?

It isn't new news, but after a certain amount of lifts, your muscles aren't able to generate the same amount of force you had with your first set. Muscle fatigue is familiar to anyone who's tried to push through a weight room plateau but the idea that lactic acid buildup is to blame might not entirely accurate. A recent study published in The Journal of General Physiology suggests that potassium might play just as vital of a role.

Using your muscle tissue causes an influx of sodium ions and an output of potassium. Analyzing the levels of sodium, potassium and chloride in the muscles of lab rats working their leg muscles with the intensity of a human pedaling a bike showed enough potassium was lost after 5 minutes to interfere with muscle contractions.

Now, although potassium levels aren't the only factor contributing to muscle fatigue, this discovery shows how nutrients can impact exercise at the cellular level. Your best bet isn't to necessarily start popping potassium tablets, but instead, focus on a healthy, balanced diet going beyond protein, carbs and fats. Get yourself some bananas you little gorillas!