You may think building muscle mass is no more than signing up at a gym and throwing around dumbbells until you collapse, but you are wrong. There are many things that play a role in the results that you see from the time you spend lifting. Read the following article and you will know what you need to do to achieve the most from your efforts.

Focus on important exercises such as the deadlift, squat, and bench press. There is a good reason these exercises are thought of as the cornerstone of good bodybuilding. Experienced bodybuilders know that they not only provide basic conditioning, but they also build strength and bulk. Try to work these crucial exercises into your workout routine.

Remember the main three exercises and include them in your routine. These mass building exercises include dead lifts, bench presses and squats. Not only do these exercises add bulk, but they condition your body and improve your strength. Make these exercises a part of your weekly routine.

Creatine supplements should be used carefully, especially if they are used for several months or more. Those with kidney problems should not take creatine at all. They have been shown to cause heart arrhythmia, muscle compartment syndrome, and muscle cramps. Teenagers are particularly affected. Stick closely to the instructions when taking supplements.

Compound exercises are an easy way for you to get consistent muscle growth in all areas of your body. These particular exercises will allow you to exercise several muscle groups in each lift. A great example of a compound exercise is bench pressing. This exercise works your triceps, chest and shoulders all at the same time.

Stretching after a workout will help to repair muscles and decrease any muscle soreness. If you are younger than forty years old, you should be capable of maintaining each stretch for half a minute. If you are over 40, hold the stretch for a minimum of 60 seconds. This prevents injuries from occurring when exercising.

Train opposing muscles while in the same session including your chest and back, or quads and hamstrings. This practice alternates the stress placed on the two groups, so that one rests while the other one works. This will result in an increase in the intensity of your workouts, allowing you to be more effective in less time.

Having a smart schedule focused on muscle building workouts will help you grow muscles while keeping you from injury. If you are working on your muscles for the first time, only do strenuous workouts two times a week. Those that have more experience and have already been conditioning their muscles can safely work out this way three times in a week.

Exercises like bench pressing and squats are especially good for bulking up your muscles. Dead-weight lifting is also an excellent option. These exercises can help anyone to get in shape efficiently while building muscle. All other exercises should be centered around these three.

Do not workout more than three or four times each week. You want to provide time for your body to repair itself. Too much exercise may cause injury and that can be counterproductive.

Aim to mix up your grips for working out the back. When doing deadlifts or rack pulls, use mixed or staged grips, if you want to attain more strength. A staggered grip will help you to twist the bar in one direction, while an underhand grip twists it the other way. That way, you can prevent the bar from moving erratically over the hands.

Make sure to eat well when building muscle. Rebuilding muscle fibers involves consuming the proper amounts of certain nutrients. Protein shakes have been proven to be a great source of protein to consume after a workout to help rebuild muscle fibers.

Try to make sure that you get enough protein in your day. You should try to get around 20-30 grams of protein at each meal. Eating a specific amount of protein at each meal ensures that you always have enough reserve protein to achieve your muscle-building goals. As an example, if your goal is to consume 120 grams every day, then break that down to 3 small meals and two snacks, each containing 24 grams of lean proteins.

Before beginning any exercise routine, stretch for around 10 minutes. This helps warm up your muscles prior to lifting any heavy weights. In addition, stretching regularly can help to prevent injury, meaning that you will not have to take time off from your exercise routine.

This article has surely shown you that there are many simple tasks that you can incorporate into your everyday life to enjoy weight training success. You can improve your progress towards you muscle-building goals by using this article’s advice to fine tune your existing exercises or even to set up a whole new routine.