The Basics of Bodybuilding Exercises

You’ve simply got to start off slow. There is too much risk of injury or permanent damage in something like bodybuilding for you to speed through it. First figure out which muscle groups you want to start building up and find the right exercises for those. Then move on to the next muscle group and so on. But always, go steady and go slow.

Of course, you must get a good nutritional program going with it as well as keeping up your cardio – very important – but check with your trainer or online for what exercises best suit which muscle group. Start off with shorter, fewer reps, using lighter weights or even just your bodyweight! A great way to start building up strength in your arms, especially the triceps, is with pushups before you progress onto the really heavy stuff.

The best part about using bodyweights as a gradual entry into the world of bodybuilding is that there is a significantly reduced risk of injury. You are doing a much more natural workout and if there is a risk of you getting hurt chances are you’ll get some kind of warning beforehand from your body (aches, pains, twinges beyond the normal, delicious muscle-ache you get after a workout).

Similarly, use squats and lunges to build up basic strength in your leg and thigh muscles. Give yourself time and space to get used to these exercises before going on to the big barbells and so on. For women also, there are certain exercises that can help stimulate testosterone production and make for easier bulking up while bodybuilding. These include, as for men, deadlifts, squats and benchpresses.

More and more people are turning to the option of working out at home. All you need for this is some kind of a ‘home gym’ system, many of which do not even take up too much space when not in use. It eventually turns out to be much cheaper than membership at a gym although there are benefits to bodybuilding with other bodybuilders around you.

However, a highly recommended home gym, which covers quite a few exercise routines, is the Total Gym. It is adaptable, uses up little space in the house and, with its innovative design, utilizes gravity and resistance while you work out instead of weights.

Before you decide, some benefits of staying on at your local gym include the camaraderie that develops between you and your fellow bodybuilders, the encouragement and motivation you keep receiving from them and the little tips and tricks you might not pick up at home by yourself. It’s a great reason to get out of the house as well. So do weigh up your options carefully before making a choice, but once you do – stick to it and go slow!