You don’t have to be a professional bodybuilder to reap the benefits of bodybuilding if you stick to the fundamentals. However, it’s easy to get lost in all the confusing things you can hear from friends or read in magazines, which can even lead to injuries if you’re not careful enough. So, if you want to lose fat, gain muscles, and stay safe, here are some things you should do and some you should avoid.
Do stay consistent
No training can help you if you exercise one day and then forget to do it for another five days. Consistency is the key to great results, so make a plan and stick to it. If you do your best every single time, your effort and time spent in the gym are bound to pay off sooner than you think.
Do eat healthy
You can work out all day every day but it won’t help you much if you eat fast food in between or drink sodas every night. Focus on eating high-quality food that will give you plenty of energy like rice, pasta, chicken, vegetables, and other foods that are known to be good for bodybuilders. Also, supplements are great, but they are supposed to give you an edge and provide some extra nutrition, not serve as a substitute for real food.
Do use proper form
As mentioned above, proper technique is extremely important if you want to make the most of your training. So, learn how to do each exercise correctly – ask your personal trainer for help if needed. The better your form, the less likely you are to get injured. If you’re having problems maintaining the right form, use lighter weights or do fewer repetitions until you get stronger. If you do suffer an injury, seek medical advice as soon as possible. Continuing with training could make the injury worse. If it’s a minor injury, still get it checked out. You could then use the Best Rated Workout Elbow Sleeves for Men to help support the injury when getting back into the swing of things.
Do have proper gear
You need to be comfortable when working out and one of the most important things in regard to proper technique is your stance. This is why it’s important to have the right kind of weightlifting shoes that will allow you to position your feet properly and stay connected to the ground while working out.
Do get plenty of sleep
You won’t be able to exercise enough if you’re constantly tired or drowsy. Therefore, try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. It will help your body recover and boost your energy levels for the next day.
Don’t skip the warm-up
No matter how energized you feel and how excited you are to start some serious training, never skip your warm-up session. Cold muscles and more likely to get injured, so before you start lifting weights, always set aside at least 10-15 min for some aerobic activity or even just brisk walking.
Don’t rush
Just as you shouldn’t skip the warm-up, you shouldn’t rush either. Moving slowly will help you isolate the muscles you want to focus on, and you won’t need to rely on momentum when lifting the weights.
Don’t get stuck
Don’t do the same thing every day, as it won’t challenge you and your body won’t be able to build muscles in all your body areas equally. In order to really make a progress and avoid getting stuck in a rut, mix things up a bit.
Don’t push yourself too hard
If you notice any signs of injury or overtraining, do not ignore them. Allow yourself some time to rest and never hesitate to visit a doctor if you hurt yourself, no matter how minor you think the injury is. If you ignore such signs, you are more likely to turn what could be a small injury into a big one that would require much more time to heal.
Don’t forget your goal
No matter how hard it becomes, never forget why you’re doing this. The best way to stay motivated is to keep thinking about the end results. Keeping a positive attitude is essential when exercising, and if you manage to do that, there will be nothing standing in your way to success.
To sum up, if you focus on your technique, eat healthy, get proper gear, and allow yourself enough time to rest, the results are inevitable. Also, don’t let yourself get confused by all the things you can read in magazines – stick to what you already know, consult the professionals if you want to learn more, and you will reach your goal in no time.
