Bodybuilding - Five Things Every Bodybuilding Program Needs Articles | Bodybuilding

By: Shannon Clark

If you're on the hunt for a good bodybuilding program that is designed to help you build muscle, there are some key aspects that must be present if you are to experience the results you're looking for.

Without these factors, some portion of your results are going to fall short and you won't be maximizing what you get out of your workouts.

Since we only have some much time in our life, you want to be sure that every workout you do is one that will help you get the body you want.

Here is the five factor checklist for you to go over.

Factor 1. Hard days and easy days.

If your current program does not have some workouts that are very hard, some that are easier, and some days dedicated to full rest, it is not well balanced.

With too many hard days you will wind up overtrained and with too few, you will not be pushing yourself to your limits.

Balance is key here.

Factor 2. Deloading Weeks

Just like you need a rest day, it's also important to have full deloading weeks where you
essentially 'deload' the weight, reducing it down so that you give your body a full change to recover completely.

This should happen every six to eight weeks, depending on your own individual recovery ability and the nature of the program.

Factor 3. Squats

If your workout program does not contain squats, it's not a workout program as far as I'm concerned.

Not only do squats jack your testosterone levels through the roof, but they also help build the foundation for the rest of your body.

You wouldn't build the roof of a house first would you? That's what I thought.

Factor 4. Periodization

A good program will have you working across a variety of rep ranges as your progress through. Some works you'll be primarily focused on strength by doing sets in the five rep range.

Then, during other weeks you'll be aiming for the six to eight rep range to focus more on hypertrophy.

A good program will hit a variety of aspects of your fitness level, helping you build muscle that is not only strong, but lasts and is fully functional.

Factor 5. Stretching

Yes, that's right, everyone's favorite activity - NOT. How many guys do you see go into the gym, put in an intense workout then head right to the locker room to slam back their protein shake? Probably about 90% of them (another 5% being the ones who stop at reception to hit up the girl at the desk).

Ending your workout off with some stretching is a really great way to not only enhance recovery - meaning you can get back into the gym sooner again, but also increase your range of motion.

The greater the range of motion you are able to work through during the exercises, the more muscle fibers you will stimulate. The more muscle fibers you stimulate, the better gains you will see.

See how this works? Stretching - get it into your workout.

So, if your workout is missing any one of these elements, don't you think it's time you found a workout that does get you headed in the right direction? A well known quote states, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results." If this is you, I think it's time you did something about this.