Tell me something, do you feel good after a good workout session? I stress the word ?after? because one rarely has a smile when he trudges into the hallowed grounds of the fitness center. Even if many times you don?t feel like working out, notice that you feel much better physically when you do. You?re body releases chemicals that make you happy and not only that, you are sharper mentally because of it. How so? Imagine you need to concentrate on executing the drills in the correct form and manner, with the appropriate number of reps and sets?all the while feeling extreme physical discomfort. Weight training programs push you to your limits and the result is a great physique you can be proud of.

Now we know what we?re gunning for (a body worth working hard for), let us proceed to survey the best muscle building workouts that will get you to your goal as quickly possible. There are two weight training philosophies being practiced today: high intensity and periodization training.

High intensity training uses up much of your body?s energy. These are workouts that are short and very physically grueling. A session lasts only 60 to 90 minutes and is done around two to three times a week. As you develop your strength, you will have to increase the number of reps, or preferably the weight loads you are taking on in every set. In this training, you are driving your body beyond its perceived natural endurance; hence it has no choice but to step up and perform according to the standards you set on it. Consequently, you get faster results.

In periodization, you are giving your body more time to familiarize itself with the physical strains of exercise. There is a three week light training period of ?getting to know each other?, followed by another two to three weeks of courtship and finishing strong with heavy training-- matrimony if we pursue the allegorical significance. The focus of periodization is not to over train your body but to gradually increase your muscle mass in phases. The phases ensure that your body is pushed to higher levels, albeit more leisurely, as effectively as high intensity training.

High intensity and periodization regimens both have its advantages and disadvantages. The key is to incorporate both philosophies in a workout that would suit your body the best. A three to four day split workout is the best muscle building strategy for many professional trainers. You hit your training with high intensity without too much volume that might result in over training. Switch up the exercises every so often for best outcome.

You can try some of these exercises to get you started in your fitness goals: For stomach: crunches and leg raises For the back: barbell shrugs, seated rows, deadlifts, hyperextensions, rope pull downs For the chest: flat or incline or decline bench press, dumbbell flyes For the arms: barbell or dumbbell curls, wrist curls, triceps extensions For the legs: squats, lunges, leg presses For the shoulders: dumbbell shoulder press, military press

Weight training programs that are physically taxing but let you go beyond the limitations you previously set for yourself are the best ones to have. Whether you get your motivation through health, strength training or just to look good?keep it up and get the satisfaction of a job well done.