Working out, building muscle, and having a chiseled physique are the goals of so many people who head to the gym.
So many resolutions and good intentions end in failure when it comes to build-muscle routines.
Success is best achieved when an individual is educated on the different types of build-muscle routines and which routine is best for him or her.
Certified trainers are excellent resources for beginners.
Of course, the internet is also a wealth of information.
The research potential is endless, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed.
There are some basics to remember that can simplify the process.
The most important step towards a build-muscle routine is the actual weightlifting.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but some thinking DOES need to go into the process.
The most effective muscle-building exercises are compound exercises.
Compound movements are exercises that require the body to use more than one muscle.
A prime example is the bench press.
Those this movement primarily uses the chest muscles, it secondarily uses the triceps and shoulders.
On the flip side, there are isolated movements, the bicep curl being a perfect example.
Because the curl only requires the bicep muscle, this is an isolated exercise.
The four most effective compound movements are squats, dead-lifts, bench press, and military press.
These exercises will work the legs, back, check, and shoulders, respectively.
Of course, this is not to say that other exercises should be ignored.
Dumbbell flys, leg extensions, flat pull-downs, and lateral raises are all effective elements of a build-muscle routine.
They should be incorporated into the routine, secondary to the four most effective compound movements.
If weightlifting is the most important element of a build-muscle routine, then the diet comes in at a close second.
A popular statement among weight lifters is, "eat big, to lift big, to get big.
" Since protein is the building block of muscle, it is the most important element of the diet.
Many experts suggest one gram of protein for EVERY pound of body weight - even on the days an individual does not workout.
This high intake of protein should be coupled with a low to no intake of saturated fat.
Protein shakes, powders, and bars are an excellent protein supplement used by nearly all serious bodybuilders.
Then there are all the other elements - patience, consistency, dedication, and resting...
to name a few.
Results will seem slow, but they will come.
And the rewards far outweigh the pain of the journey.