Anyone specifically looking to add mass with definition to their physiques will likely ask the question what is a good bodybuilding workout? This type of routine can be defined as a progressive resistive weight training program that works all body parts. The ultimate goal in performing this type of exercise routine is to add muscle definition to your physique. This article presents the basics regarding what is needed in a bodybuilding routine.

Weight training should include heavy compound movements to maximize your muscle's potential for growth. There are many variations of compound exercises that are based on the following: squats, bench press, deadlifts, and leg press. You should use these four exercises in your routine and incorporate any of the many variations of them to keep your muscles stimulated.

Compound movements are a necessary part of the "mass building" aspect of bodybuilding for several reasons.

1. A large number of muscle groups are utilized.

2. More force can be generated by each muscle group because they are working in synergy with other muscles.

3. Heavier lifts and greater number of muscles used causes a larger percentage of growth hormone to be released.

The more growth hormone you release the greater the potential for muscle growth.

How often you lift weights is the next thing to consider. There is not an easy answer to this question as opinions vary greatly in the literature. What is true and something you can always bank on is that the frequency of how often muscle groups should be worked on will vary from person to person. What works well for one may not be beneficial for another person. You can try working each major muscle group once per week. If you are not experiencing the growth that you want split your routines to work each group twice per week. It is always recommended to give your muscles at least two days to recover in between workouts. Be sure to work each muscle group at least once a week.

What is a good bodybuilding workout? It is one that will make the muscles bigger, not just stronger. Certainly as you get bigger you will get stronger but your emphasis is not to see how much you can lift for a single rep. Weight training in bodybuilding incorporates 8 to 12 repetitions for 4 to 6 sets per muscle group. Think high volume, high repetition. Contract this to a power lifting routine which would focus more on high volume but low repetition.

In order for maximum growth to occur your muscles must be constantly challenged. They should not be given the opportunity to accommodate to the forces you are placing on them. This means that you must perform your exercises with good form to keep constant tension on the muscles. You must also increase your weights or resistance, even if only in small increments when you can lift a certain weight for a certain number of reps. For example, if you are squatting 225 lbs. for 3 sets of 12 reps then it is time to increase your weight. Add 5 or 10lbs. to this. If you fail on the third set keep this weight until you can perform all three sets to 12 reps. Then increase the weight again.