A reasonable rate for muscle gain is about 1 to 2 pounds per month.  Some people may see more results due to a high protein diet and harder workout, but if you really exercise and exhaust the major muscles there shouldn’t be any reason why you can’t gain those 1 or 2 pounds every month.  While muscle burns fat, most cardio exercises reduce muscle mass, so if you’re only looking to bulk up, stick to weight machines and especially free weights.

You should workout with a high weight and fewer repetitions to get the most out of your workout.  While you may think that the more you exercise you will see greater results, but you should only workout hard about 4 days a week.  To gain muscle mass the body breaks down the muscle being exerted and then it needs to repair itself to get bigger.  While there are supplements on the market that can help you gain muscle, the best is simply whey protein.   A diet rich in protein helps the body build and repair more muscle.  Make sure you consume enough calories to fuel your body, drink a lot of water, and get plenty of rest to allow your muscles to repair and grow.