If you've spent any time in the bookstore browsing through magazine articles on bodybuilding, you've no doubt come across some pretty strong claims about how the latest supplement fad can provide you with unbelievable results. You may have also seen some recommendations on improving your workout technique and other such advice. What was probably missing from the discussion is the importance of a solid recovery phase when embarking on a new strength training or bodybuilding program. If you seem to spend all your time in the gym without making any progress, or if your initial muscle gains have reached a plateau, take a moment to think about your recovery plans (or lack thereof).

Are you wondering what the recovery phase is? Well, let's review how muscle is built in the first place. In order for your body to build muscle, you first have to give your body a reason to build it. You see, on a basic biological level muscle is an expensive asset to have, and the body would rather not have to maintain it. The only way to stimulate new muscle growth is to give the body a reason to build it, and the way to do this is to take advantage of our basic biological need to survive.

Muscle fibers are damaged when we lift a heavier weight than we're used to. As long as there are enough nutrients, the muscle will be rebuilt bigger and stronger so the body can prevent a similar stress in the future. So how does this tie in to the importance of resting during the recovery phase? Simply put, the muscles must be given time to rebuild before they are put under heavy stress again. This means that we must limit the frequency of our workouts in order to maximize their effect, and this is why many bodybuilding experts recommend only a few hours of training per week. A simple way to remember this is Less is More.

Aside from avoiding over training by carefully planning your workouts, you definitely need to make sure you get plenty of sleep. The body repairs itself during sleep, and this is especially important for the bodybuilder who has just put his muscles under stress. If you choose to ignore this advice, you may find yourself limiting your muscle growth potential.