Top Muscle-Building Moves for Men

Fast Track to Bigger Muscles

There's no magic pill for getting ripped. But if you're willing to sweat, there are ways to pump up your physique in less time than you might think. With the right moves, you can work toward powerful pecs and bulging biceps in just two workouts a week. If you have a medical condition, check with a doctor before starting a fitness program.

Bigger Arms: Hammer Curl

For biceps that beg to be displayed in short sleeves, start with a hammer curl. Hold dumbbells so they face your outer thighs. Exhale and bend the elbows, raising the dumbbells until their tips nearly reach your shoulders. Inhale and lower slowly. To see results, men should hit each muscle group with 3-4 different exercises, twice a week, says conditioning specialist Neal I. Pire, MA, CSCS.

Bigger Arms: Preacher Curl

This twist on the biceps curl will also work the deltoids, muscles that give shoulders a chiseled look. Rest the back of your arm on a support pad while holding a dumbbell, palm facing up. Slowly raise the dumbbell, then lower it to the starting position. If any move feels wrong, check with a qualified fitness professional. Depending on your health and physical condition, some exercises may not be recommended.

Bigger Arms: Triceps Push down

When building buff arms, don't neglect the underside. To do the triceps pushdown, grasp the handle with palms facing down and hands 6 inches apart. Keep your upper arms near the sides of your chest. Start with your forearms parallel to the floor. Push the cable down by straightening the arms until your elbows are fully extended, but not locked. Pause and slowly return to the starting position.

Bigger Chest: Bench Press

This classic move hits all your chest muscles at once. Grab the bar with a closed grip and slowly lower until it lightly touches your chest. Exhale and press back to starting position. A trainer can recommend the best load for you; 50% of body weight (including the weight of the barbell) is a common starting point. The flat version works the entire chest, says exercise physiologist Irv Rubenstein, PhD, so there's no need to add incline versions.

Buff vs. Mr. Universe

The right weight and number of reps for you all depend on your goals, and of course your physical fitness. Beginners can start with 3 sets of 10-15 reps for each exercise -- and the last few reps should be difficult. Those at an intermediate level can aim for 4 sets of 8-12 reps. If you're looking for huge, prize-worthy muscles, the best bet is to consult a fitness professional.

Strong Shoulders: Front Raise

If hulking shoulders are a goal, muscle this exercise into your workout. Do it standing or seated on a bench or stability ball, with weights at your sides. Raise one straight arm to the front, up to shoulder level, while turning your palm towards the floor. Slowly lower back down. Keep an erect torso and neutral wrist position. Using one arm at a time makes it easier to keep the back straight.

Strong Shoulders: Lateral Raise

This classic move targets the deltoids to create a Popeye-worthy bulge in this rounded area where the upper arm meets the shoulder. Start with the weights by your sides. Contract the abdominals to stabilize your spine. Then sweep both arms up to shoulder level to form a "T." Keep the arms relaxed and elbows unlocked. Rotate elbows slightly outward to isolate the shoulder muscles. Slowly lower back to the starting position.

Tapered Torso: Wide-Grip Pulldown

Wide-grip pulldowns develop the latissimus dorsi muscle or "lats." This back exercise creates the illusion of a narrower waist for that tapered look, says Pire. Sit on the pulldown machine and grasp the bar wider than shoulder width. Lean back slightly, contract your abs, and bring the bar down to your upper chest. Avoid using momentum. Pause and slowly return the bar to starting position.

Abs: Kettlebell Twist

Men seeking the fabled "six-pack abs" first need to shed excess body fat, which can hide even the most toned mid-section. When you've reached a lean weight, the Kettlebell twist can help your abdominal muscles really pop. Sit on the floor, knees bent, heels down. Lean back, back straight, and engage the abs. Place the kettlebell on the floor, switching from one side to the other. Want faster results? Hold your feet off the floor.

Quicker Results: Super Sets

To build rock-hard muscles in less time, try super sets. This means doing sets of two different exercises with little or no rest in between. Beginners should do supersets that work opposing muscle groups – for example, a set of biceps curls and a set of triceps pushdowns

Quicker Results: Compound Sets

After you've been lifting weights for a few months, you can try compound sets. This means doing two different exercises for the same muscle group without resting in between. For example, target the chest with a set of dumbbell bench presses immediately followed by a set of pec flys. This exhausts the muscle quickly and thoroughly, setting the stage for larger muscle growth.

Lower Body: Leg Press

Every gym's got a guy with "light bulb" syndrome – a muscleman who neglected his lower body. If you don't want to be that guy, spend some time on the leg press machine. Place your feet on the resistance plate with knees bent at 90 degrees. (Don't bend your knees any further to avoid injury). Grasp the handles and slowly push the plate out until your knees are straight but not locked. Pause and slowly return to starting position. The leg press works most of the major leg muscles.

Lower Body: Squat

Squats target both the inner and outer thighs. Use a barbell heavy enough to challenge the muscles without compromising your form. Position the bar behind your head and your feet shoulder-width apart. Keeping your spine straight, squat down until your thighs are nearly parallel with the floor. As you come back up, raise the hips and chest together. For safety, keep your knees behind your toes, shoulders behind your knees.

Lower Body: Dead Lift

Yes, the dead lift shows off your manly upper body musculature -- but it's one of the best workouts for your hamstrings, too. Start in a standing position, feet shoulder width apart, holding the bar in front of you. Lower the bar to just below your knees, or further if you're more flexible and can keep a flat back and stable spine. Slowly return to the starting position. Keep the bar close to your body to protect your lower back.

Lower Body: Calf Raise

Stand on one foot with the arch of the foot and heel hanging off of the edge of a step or platform. Hold on to something if you need to for balance. If you are able to balance without holding on, you will work your core muscles and promote joint stabilization in the standing leg. Drop the heel all of the way down below the step and then raise all the way up on the toes. Hold dumbbells to increase resistance.

Muscle Confusion

If you reach a plateau after several weeks of working out, it's time to mix things up. You need to constantly challenge or "confuse" your muscles to keep them growing. You can do this by putting a twist on your basic moves. For example, do a biceps curl with a reverse grip. Or find a bench for the step up move shown here. For best results, change up your workout frequently -- at least every 4 to 6 weeks.

High-Intensity Training

When you train hard, you won't just burn calories during your workout. You get the added benefit of an effect called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption or EPOC. This means your body will keep burning extra calories even after you've finished a training session. How long and how many calories varies with the intensity of your workout, says Pire. "It can add up to significant additional calories burned over time."

Eat Right: Before You Lift

No amount of weight training will add bulk unless you give your muscles the right fuel. If you really want to get ripped, eat protein at every meal and snack -- lean meats, eggs, cheese, and milk are good sources. Add whole-grain carbs like oatmeal to provide sustained energy. Research suggests men who eat a snack of protein and carbs right before and after working out build more muscle and burn more fat.

Eat Right: After You Lift

After lifting, take in some protein as quickly as possible -- the longer you wait, the more time your body will break down muscle instead of building it. Sports dietitian Amy Goodson MS, RD, LD, recommends having whey protein (found in dairy products such as milk and yogurt) within 30 minutes of your workout. Include a wholesome carb, such as fruit. One quick solution is a smoothie made with whey protein powder and frozen berries.

Stay Hydrated

Muscles are about 75% water, so give them what they need by drinking enough fluids. Allowing yourself to get even a little dehydrated could compromise your workout, your concentration, and your immune system. While sports drinks and soda will keep you hydrated, the best choice is simple calorie-free water.

Muscle-Building Supplements

Creatine is a popular supplement among athletes and body-builders. Studies suggest it can increase strength and muscle mass. Evidence supporting the use of amino acid supplements, including BCAAs and glutamine, is less clear. It's best to check with your doctor or dietitian before taking any supplements.

The Truth About Steroids

Getting in shape takes a lot of work, but anabolic steroids are not a wise shortcut. Using steroids to build muscle is illegal and can cause many health problems, including:

Acne

Breast growth in men

Heart disease

Liver disease

Reality Check

How fast you bulk up depends on some factors that are out of your control – namely, genetics. "Your parents determine your structural and skeletal shape and your predisposition to get big," says Rubenstein. But even if a bodybuilding centerfold is not your destiny, there's good news. Most men can noticeably increase their muscle mass and strength with an efficient weight training regimen.