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How Do I Pick The Program That Is Right For Me?

I recommend the muscle building programs based on training levels. I often see training levels defined by the amount of time spent training (usually... 0-6 months = Beginner, 6-12 months = Intermediate, 12 months+ = Advanced).

Under that classification system, I was an advanced trainer long before I ever figured out how to make any muscle stick (I did have an "advanced" knowledge of what didn't work).

For the purposes of this site, I define mass gain training classifications based on results. Loosely, it is as follows:

Mass Gain Training Levels

Beginner = Anyone completely new to training OR anyone who has never experienced significant results. If you aren't 20 to 30 pounds of muscle heavier than when you first started, you're likely a beginner (whether you've never trained or trained for 10 years). Intermediate = Someone who has made some impressive progress but isn't yet closing in on their genetic potential. A frustrating place to be... being at this level means that your gains aren't coming as easy as they once were. You still have the potential for impressive gains but you must do more to get the body to react and successfully conquer plateaus. Advanced = Someone who is closing in on their genetic potential.

• Sean Nalewanyj's Muscle Gain Truth No-Fail System

  Anthony Ellis's Gaining Mass

  Vince Delmonte's No-Nonsense Muscle Building

  For beginners and frustrated intermediates whose main goals are putting on muscle mass, I recommend either Sean Nalewanyj's Muscle Gain Truth No Fail System, Anthony Ellis's Gaining Mass or Vince Delmonte's No-Nonsense Muscle Building.
  
  These authors start at the beginning and go step-by-step through what it will take to quickly build significant mass. All three back it up with personal support that will greatly benefit you in your first few months.
  
  While all three of these programs are a bit different, they all incorporate the basic principles for mass gain. And they all can and do take beginning trainers from skinny to impressive in amazingly short periods of time.
  
  Don't be fooled by my putting the "beginner" tag on these programs. It just means that they can take you from zero to complete knowledge. Take a look at the authors (Nalewanyj, Ellis, Demonte) and realize that they don't go beyond what they teach and they have built some incredibly impressive physiques. These programs will take most trainers as far as they want to go.
  
  
  
  
• For intermediates to advanced level trainers seeking more mass, I recommend Jeff Anderson's Optimum Anabolics and Will Brink's Bodybuilding Revealed.
  
  

  Jeff Anderson's Optimum Anabolics

  Will Brink's Bodybuilding Revealed

  Optimum Anabolics is a true step-by-step program that uses some novel approaches to work past plateaus. It requires a little more dieting and training discipline then most beginners are ready for and that is why I recommend that you have some training experience in your immediate past.
  
  Brink's Bodybuilding Revealed isn't as much of a program as it a collection of solid information. It concentrates not on giving you a definitive program to follow but rather on providing you everything you could possibly need to know to develop a productive program. It is a monstrous amount of quality bodybuilding ideas, information and resources minus all the crap, dollar for dollar the best value out there. However, a lot of trainers are probably best off following a set training plan and it is likely information overload for complete beginners.
  
  
  
  

• Tom Venuto's Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle

  For beginner to advanced trainers whose main goal is fat loss, there isn't a better program than Tom Venuto's Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle. This takes you from the basics to the very advanced techniques natural bodybuilders use to maintain muscle mass while dropping body fat. It is a thorough guide to uncovering your six-pack.
  
  Don't kid yourself, even though it may be more on your mind to build muscle mass, don't get trapped into thinking you will somehow be able to convert your body fat to muscle. The body doesn't work that way. If your main challenge for physique-change is losing fat, then Venuto's program is for you. When you lose the fat, you should be able to easily adjust this program to start putting on the muscle.
  
  
  
  

• Marc David's No Bull Bodybuilding

  For beginners, Marc David's No-Bull Bodybuilding is an excellent choice. This is a general guide to all things fitness and bodybuilding.
  
  It covers mass gain and fat loss and arms you with the knowledge necessary to successfully move past the many myths and become an intelligent trainer right from the get-go. It is not a specific program, more of a general introduction.
  
  
  
  

• Dr. Franco-Obregon's Creatine: A Practical Guide

  For ALL trainers who use creatine, I recommend Dr. Franco-Obregon's Creatine: A Practical Guide.
  
  How you supplement with this supplement makes a big difference. Having an unbiased expert in your corner who consistently keeps you up-to-date on how to get the most out of it is going to pay big dividends.
  
  At just $20, this is one of the real steals in the bodybuilding world.
  

Beyond my recommendations and reviews, check out the author's articles. Each of the 5-star authors have contributed articles to this site accessible through their respective bio pages: Ellis, Nalewanyj, Delmonte, Anderson, Brink, Venuto, David, Franco-Obregón.

What you are looking for is someone that "speaks" to you. You want to find the best match, someone you are able to turn your training program over to with complete confidence. The key to your success is to allow these programs to narrow down your focus, to put all your effort into those diet and training techniques they teach and prescribe. That is where the big gains are lurking.

Check out the Muscle Building Program Reviews Here

More program related articles...

	Modeling Your Way To Major Muscle Gain Easily the best but most often ignored approach to successful self-improvement.
	How Much Muscle Can You Gain? How much and how fast you can realistically expect to put on quality muscle weight.
	What Makes For a Top Mass Gain Trainer? What to look for when sizing up who can help you succeed at gaining mass.
	The Value of Following a Complete Program A solid program will produce considerably better results than the typical "cafeteria approach."
	How to Get The Most Out Of a Program Getting a program doesn't equate gains, you have to put forth maximum effort for big results.
	Moving Past The Hype Bad reasons to buy a program - sorting through the hype and making a sound decision.

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