Patience is a virtue - but let's face it. Everyone wants results faster. This couldn't more true when it comes to the weight room and exercise. And once you start making an effort to cultivate a thick, burly neck you are no doubt going to ask the question: how long does it take to get a bigger neck?
As with all things physique and strength, this is a slow process. Consistency is the only way you'll earn that neck you idolize so much. And as you'll soon discover, there is only so much you can do to speed up the process. But trust us - eventually, you will have that big, thick neck you want so desperately. And when you look in the mirror and see those muscles bulging and you realize you're most resistant to injury and pain - it will have been worth the wait.
In this short article, we're going to discuss the timeline of how long you can expect to wait to see visible results in your neck muscle progress. We'll also give you the scoop on what you can do to get a bigger neck faster. Let's get right into it - starting with why so many men and women are on a mission to strengthen their necks fast.
What Are The Benefits Of A Bigger, Thicker Neck?
Why does it matter how big your neck is anyway? Is this really something you should be striving for? There is no doubt about it - a thick, muscular neck is one of the truest signs of raw strength. It shows that the person displaying the prominent neck muscles pays attention to the details in their training. And beyond just looking glorious, there are some real tangible benefits to a stronger, thicker neck.
For one, a stronger neck is more resilient to injury. Specifically, whiplash-related injuries. You can think of your neck as a shock absorber for your head. When you experience whiplash, it doesn't hurt your neck itself - the chance of concussion is there, too.
While everyone is at risk of developing whiplash when they get in the car, there are certain groups of people who should be more wary of these types of injuries. Contact sports like football, hockey, lacrosse, and rugby are a few that come to mind. Then you have combat sports like MMA and boxing. As such, we have a complete article on the importance of neck exercises for boxing.
Furthermore, working to grow a bigger neck will also help eliminate pain and tightness you feel in your neck and shoulders. Most people who suffer from tech neck or some other neck tightness ailment have weak necks.
As you can see, there are quite a few reasons a bigger, thicker, stronger neck is an important part of your training regimen - athlete or not. Now comes the question - how long does it take to get a bigger neck? Let's discuss.
So, How Long Does It Take To Get A Bigger Neck?
Now comes the question - how long does it take to get a bigger neck? As you're about to find out, there really is no answer we can give you. There are far too many factors at play. While some of them are things you can control (diet, training, sleep, etc.), others are beyond your control. Mainly, we're talking about genetics.
Unfortunately, you cannot outtrain your genetics - at least, not naturally. If your neck muscles are naturally small and weak you're already behind the 8-ball in terms of training. On the other hand, if you have a body type that naturally packs on lean muscle with ease, you'll see noticebale results faster.
Nevertheless, if you stay consistent in your training, practice progressive overload, and stay on top of your diet and recovery - you will see a noticeable size increase in your neck within a few months. And when you look in the mirror 6 months down the road, you'll see even more noticeable increases in neck size. A year down the road? You get the point.
It can be hard to look in the mirror and see changes. That is why it is so important that you take before and after pictures every step of the way. Before you even begin neck training, get good-quality pictures of the front, side, and back of your neck muscles. Make sure you have good lighting so you can see the details. Then, a month or two later, come back and take the exact same pictures in the exact same location. Do this every few months - and when you compare the newest additions to your photo gallery to your original starting position, you'll be able to see the results yourself. And trust us - there is nothing more motivating than being able to see that progression in real time.
We know you were hoping to come here and be given an answer such as "you'll see a bigger neck within a few weeks of starting". But, that would be a blatant lie. Anyone telling you that neck training delivers immediate results overnight is lying to you. This is something you'll have to commit to being consistent with. Now, if you want to see bigger neck muscles as fast as possible, there are a few things you can do. Allow us to break down the keys to success.
How To Get A Bigger Neck Faster
If you want to speed up the process to grow bigger neck muscles faster, there are a few things you can incorporate into your regimen. It comes down to these factors:
- Optimizing Your Training Regimen
- Getting Ample Protein In Your Diet
- Taking Adequate Rest Between Sessions
- Incorporating The Right Training Tools
Proper Training Regimen
How you train your neck is the most important factor in how quickly you see results. If you aren't doing the right exercises, sets/reps, and practicing progressive overload, you're going to be spinning your wheels. In fact, you may end up doing more harm than good.
Exercise Selection & Frequency
In terms of exercises you should be doing, we have a complete database for you to take a look at. Here are some of the best neck exercises you can incorporate into your training regimen:
- Cervical glides
- Thoracic rotations
- Figure eights
- Protraction/Retraction
- Reverse Nordic
Watching these videos and the details explanations that come with them will set you up for success. You can also check out our breakdown of the best exercises to strengthen neck muscles. Remember - you should seek to be a master of the technique before you try to load the movement.
But what about frequency? How often should you do neck training? You can do 2-3 neck exercises per session, 2-3 times per week. Alternate the exercises you do in each training session to round out your training and hit the neck from all angles. But, do the same exercise splits every week so you can practice progressive overload.
Progressive Overload
What progressive overload means is that you should progressively make the exercise tougher each session. That can be:
- Additional reps with the same sets/weight
- Addition sets with the same reps/weight
- Additional weight with the same reps/sets
Whatever you do, you must be processing if your goal is to increase neck size fast. If you aren't adding a new stimulus each time you train, you're going to be at a standstill in your progress.
Reps & Sets
Along with the specific exercises you do, your rep range/volume matters too. If you're trying to pack on size, stick with 3 sets per movement - 8-15 reps per set. For more information, we have a complete guide on neck training - take a look if you're just getting started.
Diet & Supplements
Training is just a small part of the equation. Your muscles don't grow in the gym - they grow in the kitchen. This is where your diet comes in. If your goal is to grow a bigger, stronger neck, you need to be in a caloric surplus, first and foremost. That means you're eating more than you're expending from a calorie surplus. It's very difficult to grow muscle mass - especially the neck muscles - while in a caloric deficit.
Speaking of diet, be sure you're consuming ample protein. This is imperative for helping your muscles recover for the next session. Along with increasing your protein intake, you can take supplements like creatine to speed up recovery and get faster results.
Adequate Rest Is Necessary
We know you want to train, train, and train again to grow the biggest neck as fast as possible. But trust us - overtraining is going to end up doing more harm than good. You need to give your neck muscles time to rest between each session. We recommend allowing at least 24-28 hours between training sessions for your neck muscles to recover.
And, you need to be getting enough sleep - both in terms of quantity and quality. If your sleep schedule leaves much to be desired, your neck muscles will struggle to grow.
The Right Training Tools Matter Most
Above all else, you need the right training tools. When we discussed exercise selection and progressive overload, we failed to mention that without the right tools, it will be tough to perform the right exercises - and load them with weight as you progress.
Using the right neck workout equipment will make all the difference in the world. Take the Iron Neck, for example. This revolutionary device unlocks 360-degree neck training capabilities - so you can hit the neck from all angles and train it the way it was intended. You can easily perform neck extensions, neck curls, and more - with just this one device. If nothing else, you need a neck weight harness, a resistance band door anchor, and some resistance loop bands in the meantime. Bodyweight exercises won't cut it.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Bigger Neck? Closing Thoughts
There you have it - you know know how long to see a bigger neck after training consistently and using the right approach. It isn't going to be a magical transformation overnight. But if you dedicate yourself to your training regimen, you are just a few short months away from visible improvements in neck muscles size.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your training essentials, develop your training plan, and take those neck muscles to the next level!