| When you've become comfortable with the different | | | | have been involved with doing several sets and reps |
| routines and training schedules of professional | | | | with lighter weights to become comfortable with the |
| bodybuilders, you'll need to move on to the | | | | movements. At the intermediate stage, you'll need to |
| intermediate stage to start making significant changes | | | | reduce the number of sets and focus on increasing |
| to your body. The beginner's stage is essential for | | | | the level of resistance. |
| warming up the muscles, increasing strength and | | | | Watch your diet - When you're training for increased |
| building up endurance so you can handle more | | | | strength and performance, making sure your body has |
| intensive exercises. However, you can't stay at this | | | | enough quality nutrition is essential for your success. Bill |
| stage for too long before experiencing diminishing | | | | Pearl, the author of the bodybuilding book "Getting |
| returns on your investment. You'll need to increase | | | | Stronger" explains that your body will need calories |
| your resistance level and make some changes to your | | | | from the right sources protein and carbs so that you |
| lifestyle in order to really benefit from your hard work. | | | | can build new muscle and recover from the intensive |
| In order to transition from the beginner's stage to the | | | | workouts properly. Make sure your diet is full of lean |
| intermediate stage of bodybuilding, you will need to: | | | | proteins, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables |
| Get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night - Your | | | | so you can make the most out of your exercise |
| metabolism is directly affected by how much quality | | | | routine. |
| sleep you get each night. When you are in the deep | | | | Cut back on rest between sets - Since you want to |
| sleep stages of sleep, otherwise known as the REM | | | | train hard enough to push your muscles to the point of |
| cycle, your body is undergoing repair from all of the | | | | fatigue, you'll need to cut back on the amount of |
| damage and stressors of the day. You won't make | | | | breaks you take between sets. Focus on moving from |
| any progress until your body has a chance to | | | | one exercise to the next with minimal 'breaks' so you |
| recuperate and restore itself during this stage, and 7-9 | | | | really are getting the most out of your total body |
| hours of sleep per night is essential for getting the | | | | workout. |
| quality rest you need for this cycle to take place. | | | | Keep up with the cardio - Don't substitute cardio |
| Increase your level of intensity -You'll need to work | | | | workouts for resistance training at any point of your |
| towards higher intensity and fewer reps if you want to | | | | training program. You'll still need to pace yourself with |
| increase muscle mass. You'll only get stronger when | | | | at least three 30-minute intensive cardio sessions per |
| you build up your muscles and push yourself to a point | | | | week. This will help increase circulation, boost your |
| of 'fatigue', or the point where you cannot lift or push | | | | metabolism and condition your heart and lungs. |
| for another rep. During the beginning stages, you may | | | | |