You, I and everyone else you know go to the gym because it makes us feel good.
Even more importantly, we go because it makes us look good. You wouldn't go to the gym if somehow it made you look worse. So what is the specific look that you're trying to achieve? Most guys have an idea of what they want to look like, but can't pin it down to an exact size or shape. They just know there is some room for improvement.
Without a specific goal, how will you ever know if your workout is getting you closer to the shape you want? This is the mistake everyone is making. Going to the gym and working out with no specific goal. Most workouts are a mix of bodybuilding, powerlifting and some form of cardio. Each of these workout styles have their own specific goals that don't necessarily add up to making you look better.
The bodybuilding mantra of 'bigger is better' isn't right. Most women don't find overly muscled guys attractive and most huge guys are just insecure. They feel the need to be big because they think it will give get them "respect". It's blatantly obvious when guys are working out to compensate for a lack of social status.
Powerlifting will make you strong, but it'll end up turning you into a barrel shape. I'm sure this isn't quite the look you're going for.
Excessive cardio will just make you look skinny and weak, and can actually eat away at your muscle mass.
Just any combination of these styles will never give you the results you want. Most guys don't know how much of each to use and when to back off and when to go for more. To get what you want you need a careful and calculated balance of these workout methods. A specific goal and specific workout tailored to your individual strengths and weaknesses is the only way to be sure that you're getting the results you want fast.
I've designed the Adonis Index Workout to combine the kinds of exercise you are already familiar with in specific, calculated proportions to make you look your best without falling into the traps of any particular style. With a specific goal, you can get to your best body shape. Without a specific goal you may never get there.
John Barban is the author of a new workout called The Adonis Index Workout. The program includes a specific way to measure your ideal body shape and size and a workout to build it.