Our first blog post...where to start? Let's start with just that - Getting Started.
When you first begin to experiment with resistance training you often will ask others what they do. It's likely you will read a book or two on training, and maybe buy a few magazines on health and fitness. You often will come to the conclusion that doing 3 sets of 12-15 reps will burn fat and that doing 3 sets of 8-10 reps will build muscle. You will also think that training for 45 minutes is the perfect time frame to tax the body into changing. And finally, you will learn that steady state cardio will burn fat and give you the perfect body shape you always wanted. The problem is, you have just learned how to make minimal changes and not break through that first plateau.
Resistance training is a tool to help you achieve the look and feel you are after. And as with any great tool, it can't be one size fits all. It has to be customized to fit your life and your body. What is your goal, timeframe, lifestyle, body type, health history, athletic background, health restrictions, etc? All of these should play into your training plan. Sure, initially what I listed above for sets and reps will work. But you will experience short lived gains, but your body will acclimate to the program and not have anywhere to go next to continue progressing. Continuously increasing the resistance week after week isn't realistic. This is where having knowledge of different training styles or a knowledgable trainer comes in. There is no perfect style or routine out there, rather the use of different styles and different routines are needed to keep the body growing and adapting.
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn
Read everything you can about training and nutrition. This is really the only way to increase your training IQ. Take all advice from "well wishers" and "experts" with a grain of salt. Consider your sources - does the person coaching you have the fitness level you hope to achieve? Do they have the look you desire? If so, are they a product of smart, proven techniques or are they genetically gifted and getting by on that? If you see someone in the gym with an exceptional body part ask them how they achieved it, or simply pay attention to what they do and try it if you are shy. Attempt every program, technique, split, routine and range you learn about. You don't know til you try!
Best of luck and enjoy your training journey.
- Ty
- Ty
