If so use these guidelines as a blueprint for your strength training program.

There’s a lot of misunderstanding as to how beginners should begin their strength training program.

For some reason most people begin strength training using machines then progress on to free weights when they have ‘mastered’ machine weights. There is no need to ‘master machines’ because they take no learning – anyone can push a fixed weight up and down.

The reason we start beginners with a break in program is to prepare your stabilizing muscles for free weights. Your body needs to learn how to control, stabilize and then move your own body before lifting external weights.

Always train with your bodyweight first, (i.e. push up’s, bodyweight squats) before adding any type of external weight! (The only exception to this rule is if you have poor strength to bodyweight ratio).

A beginner will increase strength much faster than a seasoned lifter, use total body workouts or upper/lower body splits (training the upper lower body on separate days) There is no need to “blitz” individual muscles using bodybuilding routines (unless you’re a bodybuilder training 6 days a week and using a concoction of performance enhancing drugs).

Always perform large multi-joint exercises, which are exercise’s that use multiple muscles at one time.

Begin your strength training program with a ‘break in program’ using high reps (12-15) to prepare the muscles and tendons for the following programs which will increase in intensity. A beginner usually does not need to use any more than 2 sets per exercise, there’s no need to do anymore as your body has made very few adaptation’s to exercise.

Train movement patterns instead of body-parts and incorporate functional exercises into your strength training routine where you;

Push
Pull
Twist
Bend
Lunge
Squat

Don’t try to lift too heavy too soon and give your body at least 48 hrs recovery between workouts to let your body recover and adapt to the load your placing it under. Make sure you eat a meal high in carbohydrates 3 hours before your workout and be sure to consume a mixture of both carbs and protein within 15mins of finishing your workout. Eat a well balanced diet with plenty of fruits, veg’s and wholefoods and get plenty of rest.

If you have any questions please feel free to post them below.

Train Hard!

Dan Clay
Dangerously Fit
Personal Trainer Sydney