Talk with any personal trainer or search across the internet and you will find a plethora of different weight lifting routines that range from basic exercises that can be done with a common set of dumbbells to ones that require you to join a gym with advanced equipment and machines. Regardless of whether you are working out at home or at the gym, it is important to know that effective weight lifting routines vary from person to person and that there is no such thing as “one size fits all”.

The goal of any workout which aims to increase muscle size is to push the muscles to their extreme, causing small tears which is then repaired by your body (relying on your protein and water intake) by rebuilding the muscle and in turn increasing the size. Knowing how to push your body to the level it will take to cause this “tear down and build up” process is integral in muscle growth.

While cardio routines are idea for someone who is looking to lose weight and shed fat, weight lifting routines are the idea workout for anyone who is trying to gain muscle mass. Lifting weights causes your muscles to work harder, and with the proper routine for your size and goals, you can force your muscles to be pushed to their max and encourage maximum muscle growth. For maximum increases in size it is important to remain on a regular schedule with your exercising and to also step up your weight lifting routines by constantly monitoring your progress and increasing the weights that you use as needed. While always keeping the amount you lift constant will allow you to tone your muscles, you will quickly plateau your growth.

It is important that the routine you follow is designed for your body size, muscle-building goals and nutritional intake. Because of this, no single workout is right for everyone. A person who weighs 150 pounds and consumes 2000 calories per day would require a much different routine than an experienced body builder with years of dedication looking to increase their size just a little bit more. Ensuring that your weight lifting routines are specific for you will allow you to work out more efficiently and see growth much more quickly.

If you are just beginning with weight training or the Somanabolic Muscle Maximizer, or if it has been a while since you’ve exercised regularly, it is important that you begin with the basics which allow your muscles to get accustomed to the strenuous workouts that are in store for them. Jumping right into too intense and too heavy routines can cause serious muscle and tendon damage. Your first time at the gym, don’t try to emulate the stacked bodybuilders out of pride. Take it slowly – I promise they did in the beginning too. Begin with weight lifting routines focused on getting your muscles used to the types of workouts while pushing them to grow. Following a basic, yet effective routine in the beginning will cause you to see a huge improvement in your muscle tone and size almost right away.

After a few months of following a regular weight lifting routine, it may be time to step it up a notch. At this point you can focus on increase the repetitions you perform during each set and also focus more on pushing your muscles as far as they will go. While most people begin lifting at a weight that they are able to do 12 – 16 repetitions at, more advanced lifters will perform much less repetitions – often 6 or 8, but at a much higher weight. No matter what level your body is at, the most important thing to remember is to be constantly pushing your muscles to work just a little bit harder because it is that extra push that will allow you to continue to see size increases.