When it comes to building lean muscle, there are three things that are absolutely critical to getting the results you want.
Depending on what you goals are, the numbers will differ, but the strategy is always the same.
The first, and probably the most overlooked area of muscle building is rest.
I'm referring to rest between sets, rest between your next workout and the amount of time you actually sleep.
Rest is one of the most important factors when it comes to building lean muscle mass.
You can lift all day long, have the perfect diet and think you're doing yourself good, but without rest you'll never see the results.
Your body builds muscle during recovery.
Not when you are pumping iron.
The second is diet.
Your body needs the right level of protein and carbohydrates on a regular basis.
Without protein, your body cannot repair and build muscle.
Without carbohydrates, your body eats itself alive.
You need to get your diet right and make sure you have a regular intake of the right foods that allow for building lean muscle mass.
Lastly, the workout you choose and the types of weight machines you pick can drastically change your results.
You would think that using a hammer strength bicep curl machine and using a preacher curl bar on a bench would be the same exact workout, but it's not.
There are subtle, yet critical, differences in the way your body reacts and your range of motion that can make a world of difference.