First routine for beginner bodybuilders

Walking into a gym to work out for the first time can be intimidating, especially if you don't have proper guidance. Many new lifters either find themselves in that situation or are just training at home on some flimsy bench with a bar and a few plates. So, mistakes are common. Mistakes in terms of the exercises you are doing, how long you work out each day, how many days per week, the exercise form you are using, not to mention your eating habits.

The first thing you have to do is set some goals. What do you want to do? Why are you working out in the first place? Most people want to build some size, maybe to complete or maybe just to impress some girl.
Many people want to lose fat and tighten up, adding some but not a lot of muscle. Regardless of the goal, however, you have to go into it with some kind of plan. With all the tons of information sources out there today, there is really no reason not to have a good basic idea of what to do.

What to expect, most new bodybuilders, regardless of age , get into it after seeing a picture of some current/past bodybuilder. Of course, you want to look like the person in the picture. Be realistic, and strive to be the best you that you can be.

The top guys have strong genetics and, yes, drugs on their side. That doesn't mean you can't build good size, maybe even compete. Just be realistic about your goals. So, just what you can expect in terms of gains?

ROUTINE:
The classic 3-days a week, full body routine, training Monday, Wednesday, Friday, is of little use beyond getting a feel for exercise and working on form. Why? Because this type of routine allows for next to no recovery, once you start training hard.

Right now, right at the beginning, is when you want to understand how critical proper recovery is. Growth cannot occur if you are not recovering from your workouts, regardless of your level of experience. Recovery does not happen from hitting the gym 6 days a week for hours on end.

The above routine is useful as discussed, and should be used for the first month, to allow the development of good form, rep performance and getting a feel for what exercise works what muscles. By the start of the second month, you should use a split routine, this will allow you to train harder and to use more exercises, and this type of routine enhances recovery significantly.

SETS AND REPS:
The first month, after warm ups, 2-3 sets per body parts is good. Reps at this stage are 10-12 per set.

WEIGHT:
Your first month is more about learning how to perform the exercises correctly, so you should be using a weight that easily allows you to hit the prescribed 10-12 reps, with maybe 1-2 tough reps at t
he end.

Trial and error with weights really is an easy and somewhat fast way to get started, expect your first session to be one of trying different weight to determine comfortable working poundages. There are of course, more accurate but more complicated ways to determine starting weights but this method works well enough.
Find the weight that is right for you.

THE STRUCTURE OF PERFORMING A SET CAN BE IN THE FOLLOWING FORM:
For example;
         -Set #1=15 reps
         -Set #2=12 reps
         -Set #3=10 reps
         -Set's #4-5=8 reps.
This can be introduced along with split routines in the second month.

REST BETWEEN SETS:
At first, you may find you need 2-3 minutes between sets, working down to 1 minute is ideal. As you get in better shape, you may find you need even less. A good rule of thumb is to rest just along enough to catch your breath.