Whether you are a serious competitor or a casual bodybuilder, your actual muscle building workouts are only a small part of bodybuilding. There are seven basic ingredients required for bodybuilding success with the exercise routines, themselves, making up only a small part - about 20% of your success. You need to pay attention to all seven factors to gain maximum muscle in the shortest time.

1 - Over training

One of the most common mistakes made by new bodybuilders is over training. I know, it seems to make sense that you need to train as hard as possible. And this is true - up to a point. It is accepted that you have to make your muscles fail in order to build larger, stronger muscles. But this is done by working your muscles hard for a short period and then giving each group a day off.

2 - Work Every Muscle

When you look around the gym which type of body do you admire? It's the evenly muscled, well developed and toned physique, right? You develop this type of body by exercising every muscle group. If you concentrate on only one group, you may end up with a body that gets a lot of views on YouTube, but they won't be views of admirers. Be sure your routine is well rounded and works every muscle group.

3 - Nutrition

Proper nutrition is critical when bodybuilding. You need to start your schedule with a proper, well balanced diet. A bodybuilding diet needs a lot of protein and more than just the minimum daily allowance of other vitamins and minerals. It is best to eat 5 to six smaller meals each day rather than the typical 3 meals. This keeps your body well supplied with the nutrients it needs throughout the day.

4 - Supplements

It is impossible for a serious bodybuilder to get all of the required nutrition from food alone. So you will need to take supplements. Protein should be at the top of your list. Whey protein is recommended as economical and easily utilized by your body. Also consider the amino acids, L-Glutamine and L-Arginine. Creatine can also be beneficial but with caution. Some countries ban the use of certain forms of creatine in competitive body building.

5 - Personal Trainer/Coach

A personal trainer is very valuable, especially when you are beginning. They will help you avoid serious mistakes and injury. Bodybuilding is not a sport you want to undertake without guidance. If you can't afford a personal trainer, approach someone at the gym that you admire and ask their advice about a particular exercise or apparatus. Or ask them how they were able to get that ripped 6 pack or those bulging pecs. You may just strike gold and find a solid mentor.

6 - Rest

Rest is critical! Your muscles do not grow when they are working. They grow when you are resting. Working your muscles hard actually creates micro-tears in the muscle tissue. It is during periods of rest that your body repairs the torn tissue and actually builds your muscles a little stronger.

7 - Track Your Progress

You need to track your progress or you will never know how you are doing. Your tracking needs to begin with specific goals that are reasonable. Unless you know where you are going, you will never know when, or if, you get there.

In summary, to build massive muscle correctly without injury you have to follow only 7 basic principles. Each one is important to your success. Ignore any one of them and you will likely fail. Follow them and you can achieve the body you have only dreamed about!