Every day, all over the world, someone picks up a dumbbell for the first time and begins a quest to be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger. They imagine their bodies swelling up beyond belief and turning a once wiry frame into a molded piece of muscular artwork. Unfortunately, they quickly find out that the prospect is a bit harder than they first had thought. Achieving excellence in bodybuilding requires not only dedication, but intense physical exercise…A LOT of intense physical exercise. Because of this, we thought we would take some time to explain some basic principles that can help beginning bodybuilders get the RIGHT start on their new endeavor.

First of all, you should try to avoid your initial inclinations and simply start light. Most folks that start working out to build serious muscle often end up biting off more than they can chew, or in this case, lifting heavier weights than they should. It is extremely easy to go from working out to lying in the hospital with a torn muscle if you push yourself too hard. Starting off light, with weights you can handle, will allow you to make consistent and SAFE progress throughout your bodybuilding regimen.

One the next things that beginning bodybuilders do is try to build INDIVIDUAL muscles. They pick up a dumbbell and start doing arm curls until someone tells them to stop. Unfortunately, no one ever does, so more often than that, you see a nice set of guns on a puny body…come on, you know I’m right…working ONE muscle at a time is a mistake at this stage. Instead, you want to focus on COMPOUND movements, or ones that hit several large muscle groups at one time. The king of these is the squat. This exercise not only hits your entire lower body extremely effectively, it also works quite a few of the muscles in your upper body as well. No other single exercise can pack on as much quality muscle as the squat.

The next on your list of beginning bodybuilding moves is the bench press. This effective compound movement is not just for your chest, not by any means. Bench presses hit your chest, shoulders, triceps, forearms, and many of the stabilizing muscles in these areas as well. This workout can pack on muscle and make several key muscles much stronger to provide the strength needed as you further your bodybuilding endeavors.

Last on our list for beginning bodybuilding moves is the pull-up. Many folks HATE doing these, and there is a good reason…they can’t do them! Pulling off a set of 10 reps on the pull-up bar is not only impressive; it also has the ability to build some serious muscle. Cranking out rep after rep of pull-ups can do AMAZING things for your biceps, forearms, shoulders, and of course, your entire back. Once you get to the point of being able to do 25 or so, you can always add weight and continue to back on the beef. Think 25 sounds like a lot? Do pull-ups everyday and you WILL get there.

There you have it…a few basic for beginning bodybuilders that will serve your needs for years to come. Take is safe, take it slow, and follow these proven exercises to bodybuilding success.