It’s hard for a new weightlifter or bodybuilder to sift through all the information, especially online. As you would expect, a beginner will look for advice from a trusted source.
One of the places that a beginner bodybuilder might go to learn about the fundamentals might be the local bookstore, and one of the first stops in the bookstore would probably be the magazine rack. Looking to bodybuilding magazines can inspire a new bodybuilder by demonstrating what others have accomplished before.
Personally, I’m not really into browsing through these magazines, but many novices seem to be motivated by them. However, these magazines may not be as objective as you think. These magazines often recommend supplements, but they don’t tell you that the magazines themselves are often owned by supplement companies.
Let’s assume that there is no direct or legal partnership between the supplement companies and the magazines. Sometimes this is the case. Still, these magazines make plenty of money by allowing supplement companies to advertise their products, so there’s certainly a conflict of interest if you think about it.
Is this really a recipe for disaster when it comes to muscle building? Well, I wouldn’t be so concerned if beginners weren’t so eager to deduct every bit of advice found in these magazines. If you approach the magazines and their claims about supplements with caution (and maybe just a bit of cynicism) you’ll be much less likely to waste your money.
This brings us back to a critical concept of bodybuilding which tells us that supplements should not be the basis for a muscle building program. A few supplements can be useful for the advanced trainer who is trying to maximize his gains and has already developed a solid weightlifting and diet program.
The truth is that supplements are not really a magic bullet for building muscle. If you are more advanced in your weightlifting efforts, then it is possible to give yourself a slight edge with a few useful supplements. Otherwise, don’t even bother until you’ve mastered the basics of weight training and nutrition.
How do you learn these fundamentals of muscle building? Well, hiring a personal trainer can be pretty expensive, so that may not be the best option for you. Nevertheless, there are some good courses online that can teach you what it takes to build muscle naturally.
Tags: bodybuilding, Health, body building, build muscle
