Sleep, Sleep, Sleep...

Don't do all else well and let your weight training programs fail because you don't get adequate sleep. What is adequate sleep? This will vary by individual, but most likely you will need eight plus hours to be fully rested. If you are waking up with the help of an alarm (even worse, hitting the snooze button a dozen times), you aren't getting enough sleep.

There are numerous general health benefits that can be obtained from simply getting a good night's sleep. A big one is better cardiovascular health - sleep deprivation has been linked to a hardening of the arteries.

The importance of sleep is amplified for the person trying to gain muscle mass. Your body needs this rest to repair and rebuild the muscle that your workouts have broken down. Sleep plays an important role in protein synthesis and the release of growth hormone.

Simply put, your muscles won't grow without sleep.

So...get your sleep. Taper off your water intake in the hours leading up to bedtime (don't want to be getting up all night), make your final meal of the day a smaller one with a small amount of carbohydrates (an overactive digestive system can affect sleep) and avoid strenuous activity for a few hours previous to hitting the pillow. Allow your body and mind time to unwind and sleep will come.

A good night's sleep can be the final piece of the puzzle that catapults your body into a growth mode. Don't overlook it. You'll wake-up more alert, improve your concentration skills, be healthier, stronger and more prepared to give maximum intensity in your next bodybuilding workout.