Build a Foundation for Bodybuilding Routine

When you decide to begin a bodybuilding program, it can be difficult to figure out where to start.

As a rule, you want to build the routine on a foundation of skills that will allow for the working of as many muscles as possible in a way that increases mass and size and develops balance. The exercises mentioned in this article can be used to either increase mass and bulk up, or to burn fat and define the individual areas of the body.

The bench press is one of the most popular areas in a weight room. For some reason, this has become the number one general measure of a person’s strength. The exercise is not complicated.

While lying on the bench, reach up and grasp the bar with both hands. For starters, place your hands a little farther apart than shoulder width. Extend the elbows out and push up to release the bar and weights from the resting point. Slowly, allow the weight to lower to the chest and then with a firm even motion push the weight back up. Remember, slow on the way down and firm and even on the way up. Avoid rushing through the exercise and do not bounce the bar off the chest. This defeats the purpose of the workout, which is allow as many muscles as possible to do as much work as possible.

The bench press is a good starting point for the upper body. Adding a set of skills such as dumbbell sit ups to work the core and bent over rows to work the upper back will form a strong basis for developing the upper body.

For the lower body, head straight to the squat rack. This exercise will work the big muscles (quads, hamstrings glutes and calves) in the legs as well as smaller ones.

Once you set the foundation you can add other movements to compliment them.