Muscle Mass Gain For Skinny Guys

The most common question I am asked from skinny guys who are trying to bulk up and develop some muscle tone, is where they should start. Most have the drive and enthusiasm but are unsure of the best weight and exercise routine for optimum success. This simple and easy to follow outline is a brilliant one for those just starting out or for those just simply wanting to add some weight training to their already existing program. Low impact sportspeople such as golfers right through to high impact sportspeople can adopt this easy to manage routine and reap the rewards.

Warming up is an extremely important step before you commence any concentrated body-building. Effective warm up activities such as star jumps, using the bike or treadmill and jogging on the spot really get the blood pumping and increase the rate of your heartbeat. Try to avoid days of no physical activity. Your body-building warm-ups are great stand-alone activities on your off days. A quarter of an hour before you start anything, drink water or a sports drink, and keep drinking all the time you're active. Remember that sweating results in loss of fluid, and for each 1% of body weight you lose due to sweating, your performance will be lessened by 5%. So it's imperative that you keep drinking if you want to maintain your stamina and enhance your performance.

Let's face it, there are very few of us who have spare hours every single day for body-building. In reality you will probably get to go through this routine 2 to 3 times a week, and that is the minimum requirement. The weight loadings you use will be dependent on whether you are male or female, your size, strength and present level of fitness. You will certainly see a marked increase in your particular strength level after a month or even sooner. This will motivate you tremendously. But when you first start, only use light weights and concentrate on mastering correct techniques.

After your initial warm-up, the largest muscle groups should be the next priority. Don't forget the advised order: warm-up, stretches, exercises for the chest, shoulders, legs, biceps and finally the triceps. You need to do 3 sets of 10 reps for each step. In between sets of exercises, stretch the muscle group you are targeting at the time for increased growth, and then rest for a minute or two. It works best when you get into a rhythm and keep the times fairly similar, especially for the first month or two. This will enable you to keep tabs on your personal improvement. It is a great idea to have a training buddy with you as you will be able to encourage each other and call each other to account for any missed days (or slack days!)

Ideally you will require some warm up equipment, a weight bench, a long barbell with a variety of weight discs that can be easily changed and at least 2 small dumbells for some one handed lifting exercises and a large exercise ball for seated activities. All of this equipment can be purchased new from most large retail stores or can be found incredibly cheaply at garage sales or in the second hand for sale section of the local newspaper. Try ebay and other online auctions for bargain prices. Larger machines can be inflexible, hard to store and require lots of space. However, if you have the room or already have one they will definitely do the job.

For your chest, commence exercising with bench presses on a flat bench. Then do some flys, laying flat on the bench with comfortably weighted dumbells in both of your hands. Raise each dumbell above the level of your chest then lower them at once to your side, like a giant clap, all the while bending both elbows. Next do some seated flys. An exercise ball is ideal for this: with a straight back lean forward and lift both dumbells to the side. Again you'll need slightly bent elbows. Always move smoothly and ensure that your grip is not too tight for comfort. Consciously tell yourself to loosen your grip as you progress in your routine.

To work your shoulders you should aim, as usual, for three sets of ten reps, lifting and lowering very slowly. Sit on the bench in a straddling position and use the longer barbell. Then lift the barbell to below your chin, extend past your face and to the point at which your arms are stretched to capacity, then lower your hands and start again. Do the same this time behind your neck. You may try one handed lifts with dumbells commencing at your shoulders, past the side of your head and to capacity point above your head. (Try lifting both together). Finally put the dumbells at your side and stand with your elbows bent a little. Lift the dumbells outwards as though flapping.

Leg exercises benefit from use of a stationary bike. If you have one you're laughing. I suggest starting with one minute of steady, constant pedalling. Ease yourself into a sprint for 10-15 seconds and then revert to a slow pace for the same amount of time, and do this for a few minutes in all. Only then would I commence leg raises, and three sets is enough. If you have a leg raise bar on your weight bench then put various weights on it and do your three sets with one in an upward position and one down. (This has great benefit for your hamys and quads). To finish with, do some squats, firstly without weights and after a few weeks with a weight disc across your chest. Soon you'll be able to put a bar bell across your shoulders and gradually increase its weight. Be careful that you do not fall into the common trap of overloading the bar as this will put lots of unnecessary pressure on your knees. Glucosamine and chondroitin in combination is the answer if you find your knees painful. The research shows that taking this supplement has proven benefits for any joint pain. My father and father-in-law are the living proof!

Biceps. Start with a longer barbell in a standing position and hold with palms facing forward and bar resting on thighs. Curl the bar up to the chest holding the upper arm by your side and moving the lower arm upward in an arc like shape. Lower down to thighs. Next use single hand dumbells in the same format. You may lift both together or use an alternate action. Try not to swing them down to lift, use the arms. Next set is also using dumbells. Hold them by the side with palms facing in toward the leg so the end of the dumbell is facing straight ahead. Lift together using the same action as previously.

To work your triceps start with sitting on the floor and placing your hands behind you, just a bit wider than the width of your shoulders, with your fingers pointing in a forward direction. Now the tricky bit: lift your whole bottom clean off the floor and bend you legs but keep your feet flat. You should now be able to lower and raise your whole body using your impressively bended and straightened arms. Then, on your exercise ball, sit in a leaning forward position with dumbells in both hands. You will now move your upper arm behind you and parallel to the floor, and using your lower arm lift the dumbell like a clock pendulum behind you and then lower it again. Try lifting at the same time. You can spice this one up with a bit of variety by leaning over the bench from a standing position and putting one of your knees on the bench, then working one arm in turn using this same idea.

After exercise is absolutely crucial and the key that many neglect. What you do after a workout can significantly enhance what you have just done or if you do nothing, can lessen the effectiveness. Regardless of the intensity of the session, your muscles cells will suffer some damage, as this is one aspect that causes growth and toning. Repair, recovery and growth can be sped up remarkably by taking a protein shake within 30-40 minutes after the session. Low fat and low carb shakes are fantastic if you don't want to build muscle mass but are simply looking for better tone, shape and reducing fat. L Carnitine will assist fat reduction as well. If bulking up is what you want, then a protein shake that is higher in carbs, such as an xtreme mass gainer will do a super job. Adding creatine to the mix will lift the effect even more. Don't waste your workout. The right supplement is vital.