The people on the cover of fitness magazines are always good lucking and in great shape, but is it really possible for you to look like that, too? You’re not perfect, but you are definitely able to build muscle and feel great in your own skin. The advice in this article can help you in your quest to attain the perfect body.

You should not emphasize speed over a good technique. No matter what type of exercise you are focussing on, keep your reps slower and concentrate on technique. You will find that you get much better results than if you speed through your routine. Go slow, and ensure that you are doing exercises in the correct manner.

Three exercises you should do on a regular basis are bench presses, squats, and dead lifts. These key exercises form the foundation of any good bodybuilding routine, and rightly so. They work the main components of your body, building mass and strength. Try to fit some form of these exercises into your workout.

Compound exercises will help you develop your muscle mass. These moves incorporate many muscle groups at once, so they are efficient and effective. Bench presses, for example, work the chest, shoulders and triceps at once.

Include an effective number of repetitions in your training session sets. Limit your breaks to less than one minute between each set of fifteen lifts or more. You want lactic acids flowing in your muscles, as this promotes muscle growth. By consistently focusing your routine this way, you maximize the effects of your muscle development.

Try to workout for an hour, or less. After you have worked out for sixty minutes, your body starts to produce a stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone which can block testosterone, wasting the effort you exert in your muscle development program. For the best results, only spend 60 minutes or less working out.

Try to create a body that looks bigger than your body may actually be. Do so by putting more emphasis on your upper body, chest, back and shoulders. When you do this, your waist will appear narrower while giving the appearance of being larger than you actually are.

Building Muscle

Staying hydrated is important to safely and healthily building muscle. In order to prevent injury to yourself, it is important to stay properly hydrated. Hydration also plays a key role in maintaining and building muscle, so it’s crucial to drink plenty of fluids.

You can cheat a little as you lift. You can utilize a small bit of body weight if you need to squeeze out a few extra repetitions so that your workout is maximized. Though, be mindful that you do not do this often. Keep your rep speed under control. Don’t let your form become compromised.

15 Grams

Eat foods rich in protein before you workout and afterwards if you want to grow muscle. Try to consume 15 grams of protein 30 minutes prior to exercising, and 15 grams afterwards. This is about a glass or two of milk.

It is very important that you begin your workout by stretching. Stretching is an important part of your workout routine. You can protect muscles from injury by doing some warm-up stretches and can relax muscles to prevent soreness and stimulate building after you finish your workout. A great tip for muscle recovery is to indulge in a regular massage, as this will ensure your muscles have an opportunity to relax.

Mix up the grip that you use. Apply a staged or a mixed grip for performing rack pulls and deadlifts for achieving more strength. Staggered grips assist you in twisting the bar in one direction, while the underhand grip puts the bar in the opposite direction. This type of grip will prevent the bar from moving during lifts.

Creatine supplements might be something you want to look into. Creatine helps give you endurance. Check for interaction warnings if you use any other medications or supplements. Always follow the directions for their use, and only take the amounts recommended.

When lifting weights, more important than how frequent the workouts, how heavy the weights and how fast it is done, is one simple thing: technique. Carefully practice and master each and every exercise. By practicing your routine before you move on to more advanced weight lifting, you will have an easier time achieving the very best results.

Do not let steroids tempt you. Long-term steroid use makes it harder for the body to produce essential hormones naturally. In addition, steroids damage the liver, lower the levels of “good” cholesterol in the body and can cause men to develop breast tissue. Steroids can also produce an adverse effect in your mood called “roid rage”, as well as acne. Not exactly a nice looking picture, right?

No one is perfect, but that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing the best body possible. You have taken the first step toward changing your life by reading the article above. Now that you’ve taken this important first step, build on it by applying what you’ve learned so that you can get the muscles you want.