So, you've decided to go out and buy yourself a decent set of weights to work out with.
It's a good start to building muscle.
But ask yourself this.
Do you actually know HOW to get lean muscle? Did you think it was as easy as lifting weights for an hour a day, a few days a week and having muscle miraculously grow on your body? Someone who builds lean muscle has sufficient knowledge to continually put muscle on their body.
You need something else to build muscle.
A muscle program is what you need.
A good muscle program will not only give you a complete set of lifts you can do with your weights, it will also educate you as to why those lifts work.
What's the point lifting if you don't know why you're doing it? How about if you injure yourself? You don't know how to correct it and you could be severely sabotaging the amount of muscle you're gaining.
Some guys just try to "work it out" themselves.
I'll admit this.
I thought that by working out longer, I'd get more lean muscle.
How wrong I was.
I ended up coughing up yellow phlegm for a month and a half.
Another mate I know reckons that lifting light weights for a long time will help him build muscle.
He's stubborn and still wasting his time.
A good muscle program will also give a generous set of meal recommendations that will maximize your muscle gain.
You know, meal plans that match your calorie intake, that include as much protein and iron-rich foods as possible.
You hear stories about muscle builders doing it hard, having 6 meals a day.
Although you do have to have 6 meals a day if you're serious about building muscle, who said it had to be boring? You can actually look forward to each meal, if you have a bit of creativity and guidance.
A good muscle program will tell you how to bulk and cut.
This part will frighten away many men who are looking to get buff and shredded.
Ready? You have to gain 20 more pounds than your ideal weight, and then cut back the fat, to eventually get to your ideal weight.
For example, I weight 156 lbs now.
I want to hit 180 lbs.
That means I have to be 200 lbs, before I can cut back to 20 lbs.
Are you still there? If you are, you've got more balls than a lot of guys.
This can be dangerous and your metabolism will be off the chart.
But if you have a good muscle program, you have nothing to worry about.
Remember.
An excellent muscle program teaches you how to get lean muscle, includes a set of exercises to do (and how to do them properly) and includes a set of meal plans to support your muscular growth.
Don't start lifting yet until you find a good muscle program.