A Beginner's Guide to Bodybuilding: 3 Essential Tips

With spring finally here, many of us are realizing that it's time to show off a bit more skin. Chances are high that you've noticed more sunlight and warmer temperatures predicted in the weather forecast. The time has come where the weather is much more pleasant than its winter counterpart, which ultimately means that wearing less clothing is a fairly necessary task.

If you've decided that it's time to start prepping for the summer by working out and getting started on bodybuilding, then you've come to the right place for advice. It's never too late to get started on obtaining a more muscular body, and we're excited to provide you with helpful bodybuilding tips.

Bodybuilding for Beginners: Tip 1 – Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Comfortable, Affordable, and Relevant Gym Clothing

Our first suggestion is to invest in comfortable gym-appropriate clothing that'll make you feel confident. You might think it's trivial, but having a good gym wardrobe can play a huge factor in how you perform while you're lifting those weights. Sure – anyone can go to the gym in a stained t-shirt and trusty sweatpants from a decade ago, but if you want to stand out and feel better about yourself, it doesn't hurt to look good while you're working out. Besides, new workout gear can be a symbol of commitment to your new lifestyle; you're more likely to obtain motivation if you know you've spent a few bucks on a pair of fitness shorts. The best part about fitness attire is that it doesn't have to cost a fortune, either. If you need a place to start when it comes to updating your gym wardrobe, it'd be wise to look into sneakers. Our Bona fitness sneakers are comfortable and will make any physical gym-related task much easier to endure. Remember, comfort is a huge consideration when it comes to working out, whether you're at home, in the gym, or taking a run outside. If any form of comfort is compromised, it can negatively impact your workout routine.

There are three major keywords you should remember when it comes to finding the best gym clothing for your workout session: comfort, affordability, and relevance. Your clothes and sneakers should be comfortable enough to successfully train in. You should always find suitable clothing at a price that works best for your budget. The word relevance in this sense is used according to how you personally feel about the workout gear; for example, don't invest in a pair of bright red shorts if you're not looking to gain attention from across the room. After acknowledging this information, acquiring a customized fitness wardrobe will be a breeze.

Bodybuilding for Beginners: Tip 2 – Focus on Nutrition

One of the most important parts of bodybuilding is to focus on what you eat and how much of it you consume. Unfortunately, the topic of nutrition is commonly overlooked by beginning bodybuilders. Here are some strongly suggested foods that are perfect for your bodybuilding diet:

• Fish
• Steak
• Bananas
• Oatmeal
• Chicken
• Egg whites
• Cottage cheese
• Asparagus
• Peanut butter
• Whole wheat bread

If you have any dietary restrictions, it's in your best interest to speak with a professional nutritionist about which foods are suitable for your new bodybuilding diet. Additionally, it's recommended that you eat at least 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight, 2 grams of carbs per pound of body weight, and 0.4 grams of fat per pound of body weight.

Bodybuilding for Beginners: Tip 3 – Train, Train, Train!

If you're a newbie to bodybuilding, then you have the fortunate opportunity to train nearly endlessly. We refer to this as a "fortunate opportunity" because intermediate and advanced bodybuilders don't get to train as often since their muscle damage is more severe. Also, we want to remind you that muscle damage in this context is not bad by any means, so don't get discouraged! Muscle damage is actually good for a bodybuilder because it influences the body to recover and grow as a preparation for future workout sessions.

You're probably aware that most bodybuilders dedicate one day a week to a certain area of the body, such as the arms or legs. However, when you first begin your bodybuilding journey, you're allowed to work out a particular area of the body twice a week instead. Keep in mind that you don't want to push yourself too hard if you're not comfortable with the bodybuilding workload.

Your bodybuilding schedule will be composed of working out certain areas of the body and periods of rest. For example, the first day of your bodybuilding schedule could be focused on your chest and abs. The second day can be a day of rest so that your body has a chance to recover. On the third day of the week, you can focus on working out your legs and biceps. The fourth day of your bodybuilding schedule can be used to rest again and recover. On the fifth day, you can work out your shoulders and triceps. This schedule can be adjusted accordingly, which allows you to fully customize your routine. One of the most important parts of bodybuilding is to remember the extremely high value of rest. You'll want to take a day off after an extensive workout to give your muscles strength to recover. It's also a good idea to practice healthy sleeping habits. According to Bodybuilding.com, you'll want to get at least eight hours of sleep. If you can't, then you should try to squeeze in a nap during the day before bodybuilding.

If you're getting started on your bodybuilding journey, then congratulations! Bodybuilding is a healthy and positive lifestyle change that will prove to be incredibly beneficial. For more information on bodybuilding, it's a good idea to research local gyms in your area and speak with a trainer or fitness instructor. Afterward, you can incorporate these three tips into your regimen and gain the body of your dreams!