The flawless bodies you see displayed on the covers of fitness magazines can be as discouraging as they are inspiring. Is such development possible for you? Although you are probably not perfect, it is possible to increase muscle mass and look better. You just need some helpful advice, and the information from this article offers you that and so much more!

Have protein before starting a workout. Whether you have a sandwich with about 4 ounces of lunch meat, a protein bar or a shake, it’s important to remember that protein synthesis is what is important for building muscle. Have your protein about half an hour to an hour before starting a workout for best results.

During your workout, be sure you take plenty of time to hydrate yourself. If you do not drink enough water during your workout, your performance will suffer. It is also a good idea to consider drinking a sports drink instead of just water since sports drinks are filled with electrolytes which replenish the minerals your body loses when it sweats.

Eating some meat can help your muscles grow. You need to supply every pound of muscle you have with at least one gram of protein. Doing this will assist you in storing more protein. The greater amount of protein that you consume, the larger your muscles will get. Eventually, your muscles will achieve the size that you’ve been wanting.

In order to successfully gain muscle, it is important to have a strategy, and a plan to execute that strategy. There are various resources that you can utilize to determine which strength-training exercises your plan will incorporate. You should also set a schedule that is easy to follow, and will not overwhelm you. Go over your plan with a professional trainer to make certain that it can fulfill your goals.

If you are working toward “bulking up” your muscles, do not do cardio for more than 90 minutes per workout. Too much cardio can cause the body to form “lean muscle” instead of the bulk that you desire. Cardio is very important, but put a limit on it for best results.

If you cannot get to the gym for some reason, do not skip your workout altogether. You can simply do chin-ups, pushups and dips in your home. Even with all of the fancy equipment at the gym, they still remain the best forms of upper body building that you can do.

Do not skimp on the amount of sleep you get. The process of building and repairing your muscles happens while you sleep, and without adequate recovery, you run the risk of hurting yourself during workouts. Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night to maximize the benefits of the exercises you perform.

Do not overwork your body. In order to build muscle mass, your body needs a chance to recuperate. When starting out, work your upper on one day, then work your lower body the next day. Take one day off each week where you do no workouts at all. This will make the workout less of a job.

Any time you are lifting a heavy free weight, it is very important that you have a spotter. This is someone who knows the routine that you are doing and also understands when you are requiring help. Many times this person can become a type of gym buddy as well.

Have reasonable and realistic expectations for yourself. The best hard bodies are the result of a lot of time and effort, so don’t expect to look like a body building world champion after a week or two of working out. Have a solid and healthy plan and dedicate yourself to it over a period of time. You will see results and doing it in a healthy and calculated manner will be much healthier for you.

Watch for scams that promise the ultimate level of success with one exercise. Muscle building requires that you switch up your routine sometimes, and do exercises that will work a variety of muscles. If all you are doing is working with one machine or on one isolated routine, you will never see the results that you are really looking for.

Utilize giant sets on occasion. A giant set is when you do at least four exercises for a single muscle group simultaneously without resting. Do one or two of these giant sets in order to shock a muscle into growing. For your smaller muscles, which include your shoulders, biceps, and trips, a single giant set is adequate in order to achieve a complete workout.

If your training regimen has reached four days weekly, then try to avoid having more than one pair of consecutive down days. Your body will build and recover better with the down days spread out. If your life and schedule make this impossible, do not lose any sleep over it though, as you are still working out four days a week.

Perform your squats in a smart way. Lower the bar onto the back on a point that is close to the center of the traps. This puts more demand on your hips, hamstrings, and glutes, which gives you the ability to squat an additional amount of weight that you couldn’t otherwise.

Stretching is a vital part of your workout. Stretching makes all the difference to a workout, as it can help to prevent injuries and reduce pain after the workout. Massages will help in relaxation and post-workout recovery.

For the best results when trying to build muscle, change your routine often. Doing the same exercises over and over for weeks on end will cause your results to plateau, so find ways to mix it up and work every muscle group by altering your routine. You might change the number of reps, the exercises you perform, or the intensity of each exercise.

Just because your body isn’t perfect, that doesn’t mean you’re not already amazing. By reading this article, you’ve made a choice to permanently change your life for the better. This is a fantastic first step, so remember what you have read here, and start your muscle building routine right away!