5 Must Know Tips to Build Muscle and Get in Shape!

If you want to lose weight and get in shape to show off those Rock Hard Abs, here's the first thing you need to know...

You are going to have to get into the Gym and start lifting weights! Unfortunately there is no other way that you can build muscle and lose fat at the same time. Lifting weights means lifting for all muscle groups - not just your arms and pecs. Too many guys go nuts on the bench press and totally neglect their legs. Believe me, women notice! And they will laugh at your chicken legs.

But that's not the only reason to include your legs in weekly workouts...

You see, your legs are one of your largest muscle groups. Whenever you do a leg workout, you use a lot of calories. Plus, since muscle burns more calories at rest as compared to fat, every bit of muscle you keep (or add) just stokes your metabolism.

Now with that out of the way, here are my Top 5 Tips to get you started with weights...

1: Start light.

If you haven't lifted weights lately, then you don't want to jump right in since you're likely to get injured. Your best bet is to start with weights that you can easily lift 15 to 20 times. Use these weights for two weeks just so your body gets used to lifting. You will feel muscle soreness for the first week or so, but this will pass. Just stick at it and work through the soreness. I found that walking for my 20 minute cardio does a great job. It gets the blood flowing and reduces the soreness.

2: Do 8-12 reps per set.

After two weeks, you can start lifting heavy. That means using weights that you can comfortably lift 8-12 times before failure. You will probably want to do a couple of warm-up sets first, then three working sets after that.

3: Leave your ego at the door.

Forget about what everyone else is lifting. Forget about the bench pressing contests.

Just focus on lifting 8-12 reps using good form. If you start "swinging" the weights, your weights are too heavy. You will find a natural progression of lifting heavier weights as the weeks roll on. Your muscles become stronger and you will have more stamina.

4: Choose a balanced routine.

I suggest you lift three times per week, alternating between an upper and lower body workout. Do two to three exercises per body part, three sets per exercise, 8-12 reps per set. Be sure to do the "big" lifts each week, including: bench press, deadlifts, squats, rows, shoulder press and leg press.

5: Rest.

Your muscles grow when you're resting, not when you're in the gym. Make sure you get enough sleep each night to give your body the time it needs to recover.

To find out more about my Top Tips, go to my website here and you will learn how to lose weight and get in shape now.