When I first started working out with weights in an effort to pack as much muscle on my skinny frame as fast as humanly possible - I spent most of my time trying to find the “perfect” routine.

In fact, I’d have to say that in truth I was obsessed with finding the “magic” program that would produce the fastest muscle growth known to man.

I decided that it was paramount that my search for this hidden routine continue until I found the perfect blend of exercises that would give me super-fast muscle gains - guaranteed.

Well truth be told, what I found out was this:

Intensity of effort (otherwise known as hard work), is far more important than your choice of exercises. Even the lousiest exercise will produce some muscle growth if you work hard enough on it.

You can work hard using a pretty average program, and you’d do far better than if you lounged your way through the “perfect” program.

You see, most “hardgainers” are looking for the “magic” routine that will instantly turn them into Mr Olympia overnight. But there is no such thing. You see, it’s the intensity of effort that you put into each and every exercise that counts.

Without maximum intensity of effort - no routine no matter who created it will build very much muscle. You’ve got to learn to work hard during each and every set. You’ve got to give your workouts everything you’ve got - otherwise you’re likely just wasting your time.

Work Hard or Go Home…

I hate to be the one to say it. But you won’t gain ANY muscle at all with a half-hearted effort. Anyone who tells you any different is probably after your hard-earned money.

Someone once said that success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. Well when it comes to building muscle fast - it’s more like 100% perspiration. And that’s a good thing to keep in mind if you’re not seeing the kind of muscle gains you want.

Make up your mind right now to change that. Make up your mind to start putting every bit of intensity of effort you can muster into every repetition of every exercise you do in your current program.

But understand that what I mean when I say hard work, is not working out for hours at a time and dragging yourself through exercise after exercise. I mean following a simple but proven program and working hard on each individual exercise.

When I finally understood the difference between simply working out and working hard, my muscle gains started going through the roof. And that’s because no program no matter how good will ever work unless you do.