You’re ready. You’re going to start your weight lifting routine today, or you’ve already started. You know you want to start building muscle, and you want to gain weight – the right kind of weight – in the right way.

But what now? Weight lifting can be a very complex sport, because if you’re not doing the right things, you aren’t building muscle. You could use a lot of energy lifting weights and not see much result.

There are some very specific things to do to make sure your weight lifting program is working and you are building muscle as fast as possible but in a healthy, sustainable way. There’s no point in gaining weight and putting on a lot of muscle really fast and then stopping because you hate weight lifting. You need a direction and some basic guidelines. These pointers will help make your weight lifting program successful.

1. Take an inventory before you start weight lifting to build up muscle.

Take the time to know what your current body looks like, in terms of body composition, weight and measurements, before you start gaining weight and building muscle. Do this now, even if you’ve already started lifting weights. Better do it now and have some idea, than not do it and really not know where you are in terms of your goals.

2. Record your weight, mass, and muscle strength numbers before you begin your weight lifting program, and update them every week as you build up muscle.

Before long, you’ll be stepping on the scale to find you’re gaining weight every week, and when you get out the tape measure you’ll realize you’re building muscle faster than you had expected, because you’re keeping records and adjusting your weight lifting program as necessary.

3. Weight lifting is a rigorous sport, try to have fun while you build up muscle.

You will enjoy watching yourself gaining weight and building muscle, but you’re going to be working hard. Take some time in your weight lifting program to have fun. Do not get so caught up in weight lifting, gaining weight, and building muscle that you are not enjoying your routine. You won’t continue your weight lifting program if you hate working out.

4. Reward yourself for your dedication to your workout routine.

Muscle building and gaining weight works better if you give yourself a totally free day, every couple of weeks, to eat what you want. This means that your weight lifting diet goes on hold, just for one day, and you can indulge yourself. This keeps the routine from burning you out, and you can get back to gaining weight and muscle building, through weight lifting, with renewed enthusiasm.

5. Know your goals.

Gaining weight and building muscle are not goals; they're directions. You need to know exactly what you mean by “gaining weight” and “building muscles,” and use those as a starting point for focused goals.

Gaining weight, building muscle and looking great are excellent goals, and if you embark on a weight lifting program, you will find yourself both gaining weight and building muscle. And that will make you look good.

You’re not going to reach your goals overnight. That’s one of the disappointing things about weight lifting. The progress takes a little time to notice. But when you’re following these tips and running a good weight lifting program, you will see results, and your program will work. It just takes a lot of dedication to your goals and working out every day to really build the muscle.