Do you want to build a muscular physique? Then you need some proven techniques that can help you get the most out of your workouts. This advice will help you reach all of your muscle-building goals. Follow this advice if you want to stop effectively wasting your workout time.

Protein is essential in building up muscle mass. Muscles rely on protein to perform all of their major functions. If you fail to get a sufficient quantity, it will be hard for you to gain muscle mass. Try to eat healthy, lean proteins in two of the three major meals and one or two of your snacks every day.

Rewards for setting and achieving short-term goals are a great way to maintain your focus and motivation. Because growing muscle requires you remain committed in the long run, it is extremely important that you constantly remain motivated. Rewards that help you achieve your goal are especially effective. For example, you can obtain a massage; they improve blood flow, and will help you recover on your days off.

Try mixing up your workout routine. If you aren’t excited by your routine, then you will be more reluctant to work out. Mix up your workouts to confuse your muscles and ensure you are always making progress. If you change your routines every so often, you will remain interested and motivated longer.

If you plan on using any type of creatine supplement to help build your muscles, be very cautious, especially if you are using them for a long period of time. You can develop severe kidney problems with prolonged creatine use. Creatine has also been associated with muscle cramps, heart arrhythmia and muscle compartment syndrome. Teenagers are even more likely to have problems. Adhere to the recommended quantities for your safety when using these supplements.

You must eat carbohydrates, if you want to build muscle. Carbs give your body the fuel it needs to do the exercise you have to do every day. If you’re seriously training, every day you have to eat about two to three grams of carbohydrates for every pound you weigh.

Don’t allow your workouts to exceed one hour in duration. Your body will produce more stress hormone, called cortisol, if you exceed an hour long workout. Cortisol blocks testosterone–a hormone that promotes muscle growth–and undermines all of the work you are putting into building muscle. For best results, keep your workouts under sixty minutes so that you don’t produce excessive amounts of cortisol.

If you want more muscle mass on your frame, get enough protein. Protein is essential to the maintenance and growth of muscle; working out without eating protein can result in loss of muscle. You might need about 1 gram of protein for every pound in your body each day.

As this article demonstrates, building muscle can be achieved through a number of different ways and some may work better for you than others. Try just a few of these tips to accelerate and improve your bodybuilding efforts. Get the most from your weight training workouts with this information.