What Is The Best Workout Program?

I can not count how many times I have been asked this question. What workout program is the best to build muscle? What workout program is the best to burn fat? What workout program should I be doing? The answer, although you may not want to hear it is it really doesn't matter for 99% of us.

Unless you are a professional athlete or have VERY specific goals in mind, the answer is: the best workout program is one that you will consistently perform 4-6 times per week. One that won't make you bored of after 3 weeks and one that challenges you each time you hit the gym. Couple that with a solid nutrition plan and you will pretty much get results with any program out there. If you want to gain pure strength, try Starting Strength or StrongLifts. If you are going for asthetics, try MusclePharm Get Swole or the Arnold Blurprint. If you are going for performance and fitness, take up a CrossFit program. If you stick to your chosen program for any length of time you WILL see results.

But aren't some programs better than others?

If you want to get technical, YES, some programs are designed better than others, however only the really elite athletes benefit from these nuiances. For the 99% of us dudes (and dudettes) out there, you won't notice significant differences between the programs.

So what program should I do?

Again, you need to first figure out a few things:

1. What are your goals? (strength, function, asthetics)
2. How much time can you devote to working out? (2x/wk? 6x/wk)
3. What kind of equipment do you have access to?
4. Why do you want to start a workout program? What is your motivation?

How To Succeed

1. Write it down - along with keeping a journal of your actual workouts, document your nutrition, your goals and your motivation. Write it on your wall, in your car, somewhere that you will see it every day.
2. Don't get injured. Know your body, take rest days when needed.
3. Push yourself. You write down your sets and reps so you can try improve during y our next workout. Push yourself to be better.
4. Have Fun - working out and getting fit is supposed to be fun. Be sure to use your new found fitness and get involved in some outdoor activities, sports leagues, hiking, biking, etc.