Drink up

Looking to get stronger? Wondering if supplements are right for you? Well, before you shell out big bucks at your local GNC, let me tell you about a very popular drink that has been shown to increase performance in the weight room. Best of all, it's free.

By now I'm sure you've guessed that I'm talking about water. In a University of Connecticut study, researchers discovered that men who drank plenty of water before lifting weights were able to complete 17 percent more reps in their sets than men who were not properly hydrated.

Because the central nervous system slows down your muscle activation when you're thirsty, drinking water before, during, and after your workout will keep you from falling short of your goals due to this physiological response.