Everyone that works out regularly or has even done the smallest bit of research on gaining muscle knows that you need to a good amount of protein mixed in with a healthy diet in order to grow.

Most beginners, however, overlook the most basic of the bodies requirements.

Water.

Have you ever noticed the really muscular guys in the gym carrying around a gallon of water?  There is good reason for this.  It’s not just because they don’t want to run to the fountain everytime they want a sip of water.

It’s because if they allow themselves to start to dehydrate their muscles will actually start to shrink.  A large amount of water is retained in muscle.

Large muscles use and require a lot of water, to grow and be able to retain water they need a constant influx of it. 

As a lifter, even if you aren’t breaking a sweat you should be drinking water.  And lots of it.   Water is used by just about every part of your body.   It gets used up even when not sweating and doing vigorous lifting or cardio workouts.

Also, if you are not seeing gain, but your workout and diet are correct, then check your water intake.   Without the enough water it is hard for the muscles to grow quickly.

When I’m working out to gain muscle I drink a gallon of water a day.  That may seem like a lot, but spaced out throughout the day it isn’t.   Especially while working out.

Drinking more water can help in many aspects of health as well.   Digestion, complexion, sleep, snoring, getting headaches, fat loss, muscle gain.  

Things generally seem to work better with the body when you drink a good amount of water.

As a vocal coach I’ve found many a singer who’s problems could be fixed simply by drinking more water.

I’ve given the advice of, “drink more water,” to new lifters asking for advice.  Those that followed the advice quickly grew bigger and stronger than before, while doing the same workouts they had previously done.

Just like you can’t overlook a good diet with loads of protein in it, you can’t overlook the importance of water.

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