Bodybuilding is a sacred practice for many especially those who want fitness as a way of their life. It is also associated with self-expression. The real challenge is not just to build muscle, but to have the will to do it organically. If you adopt any shortcut or go for a quick-fix solution, then the results won’t be long lasting and may even have adverse effect on your health.
Considering these factors, it is always advisable to practice bodybuilding as a mid-term to a long term goal. There can be many approaches to training and working out depending on the body type, goals, time available and so on. generally speaking, an aspirant should begin with weight loss and fitness targets, and move on gaining muscles gradually.
Here are a few workout tips for bodybuilding:
1) Seek professional advice
It is always advisable to take seek professional guidance in planning your bodybuilding schedule. This would help you stay away from the wrong path. Most of us think not from our mind but from the standpoint of our hopes and desires. This can be disastrous as physical world is governed by the laws of nature and your body won’t grow overnight just because you want it to.
2) Set a clear goal
If you can think it right, then it is highly probable that you can execute it right. In fact, divide the plan in sub-plans and be specific even with day by day goals. Like your weight loss or gain targets. Therefore, make sure every step you take is planned. Here are a few good articles on goal setting, make sure to check them out!
3) Have an aggressive state of mind
Complacency undermines any type of goals or objectives we make. There are times during exercise when your body tells you that you have had enough for the day. But if that extra effort is still pending, then don’t give in. In fact as soon as you enter the gym, go for the gold and begin with the regimen without any ado. However, this is said in good faith and if your body gives some alarm signals then talk it over with your trainer.
4) Goals first, socialising later
And neither is gym a place for socialising. It is utterly important to aspire for fulfilling your goal of bodybuilding first. A lot of people go to gym and end up with a lot of friends who are not helpful in reaching for pursuing the goal of building body. Make sure you go to gym for achieving your goal and not socialising.
Take care of nutrition
Along with burning fat and then building muscles, it is of utmost importance that you supplement it with the right kind of nutrition. The body needs carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins to function properly. Ask your trainer for the right kind of nutrition to consume before and after exercise and/or consult a decent book about bodybuilding nutrition. Click here for a good example of one of such books.
Depending on your body weight, type and goal, the trainer would suggest you something.
Generally it is advisable to consume some carbohydrates and proteins about 2 hours before exercising. However, it could vary from person to person depending on various factors. The objective of nutrition is twofolds, one is to make you spend more energy by a tough workout and second is to restore the required amount. Though they may sound contradicting but that is the way it works.
Self-motivation: Tell yourself you can do it
Sometimes we get lost in our own thoughts and after working out for a few days realize that bodybuilding is not for me. In this situation, you need motivation. For this, you can self-motivate yourself by repeating your mind or speaking out loud that, ‘I can build any type of body I want to’. This message could vary depending on your goal or challenge you are facing, but it is tried and tested method of self-motivation.
Follow bodybuilding rules and guidelines
Some over enthusiastic aspirants overdo things and end up holding the wrong end of the stick. To make sure you are not that person, listen to the trainer’s advice. Improvisation with exercises can be done once you gain some experience. Before it, stick to the rulebook.
To build muscle, you will need a lot of training, self discipline and overcoming the natural instincts of your body. You can begin with a fitness plan, and gradually gain muscle without hurting your body. If you try to gain muscle even without getting fit first, then it would be disastrous. And above all, a positive frame of mind can take you a long way.