Getting Started - Bodybuilding for Beginners

There are a couple of options that a beginning bodybuilder has:

1) Go to a health club. If this option is chosen, then select a club that is closest to your home. In this manner, you do not have to spend alot of time driving prior to your workout. A second choice would be to select a club closest to your workplace. This would work well only if you do not plan to ever go on weekends and if you do not plan to workout with your significant other. Other things to look for before choosing a health club are monthly fees, how well kept is the equipment, hours of operation, how clean is it, and whether or not you feel comfortable in the environment.

2) Make your own home gym. In talking to thousands of trainees, it seems like the majority is better served by attending a health club as most people do not have the motivation to workout at home. However, if you are like me and like to workout in total solitude, this may be the best option for you. The advantages are obvious: no fees, no crowds, you can superset alot (move from one exercise to the next with no rest), and workout anytime. Disadvantages are that you have no one to spot you so you need to be very careful with what you are doing.

Absolute beginners can get by with very little home gym equipment and make awesome bodybuilding gains. A sturdy bench with a good leg extension/leg curl attachment and a set of adjustable dumbbells such as an Ironmaster set will get you started.

Note: If you choose to workout at home, make sure you take a look at my article on Home Gym Bodybuilding Training Routines for ideas on how to create highly effective workouts that can be performed with minimum equipment.