Where should I start with weight training?
Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate, or advanced? How do you classify clients as beginners, intermediate, or advanced?
Time spent training is not a good measure
Not at all… it doesn’t matter if you HAVE been training consistently for a long time, but doing everything incorrectly, without a plan, and without getting good results.
You can be a beginner with 10 years of training
I know people who have been training for 10 years but whom I consider beginners… and I know others with two years of training whom I would classify as advanced. Beginners are people who are entirely or relatively new to the world of weight training. They benefit equally from both high- and low-volume training.
In summary
You’ve been going to the gym for years and haven’t made progress… unfortunately, you’ve never really trained… you’re just a gym-goer who pays a membership fee. It’s harsh… but it’s the plain truth.
Getting started with weight training
The first step in any exercise routine is to assess how fit you are for the physical activity you’ve chosen. Whenever you start an exercise routine, it’s advisable to consult a doctor.
As a beginner, be careful with the weights.
At first, with some exercises and beginner weight training, we tend to increase the weight quickly, especially as we become more efficient.
But we encounter two problems: the rate of progress tends to drop dramatically, which leads to frustration; and the risk of injury is high.
The thing is, muscles are highly vascularized (they have many blood vessels), so recovery is “quick”.
Hiring a personal trainer who specializes in weight training preparation will provide accountability, structure, and, when needed, that extra push to get through a tough workout.
You can simply get in touch with them every few weeks or, if you need more accountability, do strength training under their watchful eye a few times a week. Whatever keeps you on track!
