Do you engage in weight training, or do you want to? Why? Perhaps among the reasons are an optimal BMI, flexibility, strength, killer muscles, and a terrific body. If you are just starting out in bodybuilding, you couldn't ask for more. How about some real answers to achieve this? Most gyms don't want you to know what really happens, and how you can be successful, too. In fact, they may not even want their trainers to know what the real deal is.

If you knew what top bodybuilders do to get into real shape and have a fabulous body, both gyms and trainers would be out of business. What's the top-secret formula to building a competition winning body? If you knew that, would you need a trainer? Probably not. You could probably do it yourself, perhaps with someone to spot you or train with you.

There are three things to being a successful bodybuilder. They are:

1. If you diet and do situps until you drop, guess what? You won't become buff. To be a good bodybuilder, you need to turn up your internal fires, and there are ways to do that. However, just cutting calories and fats won't do it.

2. It's not enough to lift weights and do cardiovascular exercise. There are some top-secret tips that will help you do it right the first time, and you won't break your back or the bank in the process.

3. Do you really need a trainer? Optional. However, you do need a spotter. What else do you need in terms of equipment?

Let's Focus on Secret Number One

Cutting calories or fats and working out everyday until your body drops from sheer exhaustion and you get sick will not get you lean and ripped in the long run. The trick is to do it right. This means a regular schedule that includes several components that get you in shape and keep you there.

Your body needs five things so that you can effectively lose weight. It needs: a regular exercise program that includes cardio and weights, plus the right foods, rest, and water.

So first, let's talk about water. You need to get two to six liters of fresh, pure water every day, nothing added, to keep you at your best. Two liters is fine if you're small and you don't work out a lot. How much do you need? Take your weight in pounds. Your weight in pounds matches the number of ounces of water you need. Therefore, if you weigh 180 pounds, you need 180 ounces of water every day.

Water helps by keeping lactic acid from building up in your muscles. Lactic acid will make you sore and may hinder your workouts. Water also helps keep your metabolism running on high. If you get dehydrated, this can actually cause you to gain weight. Don't skimp on plain water, then, and avoid chemically fortified, sugary, or caffeinated beverages. These can dehydrate you quicker than you can drink them.

Next, eat right. Your diet should include lots of fiber and nutrient dense foods. You need enough calories to fuel your training program and body in general. You'll also need to include vitamins, minerals, vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and lean meats, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Don't eat processed foods. If you must indulge occasionally, keep them at a minimum. Feed your body the best food you can, and you'll be rewarded with excellent health.

REST! Don't forget to rest. This means getting the recommended 8 hours or more of sleep most nights per week. Take a break day between workouts. We will discuss optimal workout plans later, for now just remember to get plenty of sleep, and to take at least one day off from your cardio and two days of from weights or aerobics every week. Sleep is important because it is then that the body releases hormones that signal to the muscles to repair and rebuild themselves.

An exercise programme should include both weight training and cardio to achieve results. But again, you need to have at least one day of rest. If you work out every day, you won't loose weight, nor will you develop those six packs or ripped muscles. Therefore, come up with a plan that includes days off. Alternate which parts of the body you weight train. Four to five days per week is optimum. Cardio should be done after your weight session to fully fatigue your muscles. Regularity and consistency is the real key. It takes commitment!