What brought you to this page? Are you curious about strength training for yourself or someone you love? Perhaps you’ve experienced a decline in physical fitness under lockdown. Or maybe you’re recovering from an injury or just wish you were stronger. Whether it’s one of these things or something else, welcome. We’re excited you’re here. Let’s talk a little bit more about getting started with strength training.
Strength Training FAQ
Q: How do I start strength training?
A: There’s no question that being strong is one of the best things you can do for your long-term health. And there’s also plenty of conflicting advice out there on the web, with blog writers who don’t seem to know the difference between building strong muscles and large muscles. It’s important to understand the physiology of getting strong if you want to make progress and avoid injury. Here is a good slideshow on WebMD to get you started. We especially like #5…“Talk to a Trainer”. It’s the best way we know to get started correctly.
Q: What are the types of strength training?
A: It’s important not to confuse weight training with strength training. Free weights are often used to build strength but so are a number of other methods. The ones you use will depend on your goals and your overall fitness level. A comprehensive list of the types of strength training is beyond the scope of this article; however, some of the most popular are weight training, circuit training, functional training, CrossFit, and High Intensity Interval training. We’d be happy to talk about each of them with you the next time you’re in the gym.
Q: What is the difference between strength training and muscle building?
A: To put it simply, it’s the choice between big or strong. The goal of muscle building is to increase muscle size and the goal of strength training is to make the muscles stronger. In strength training the weight is heavier, the reps are lower, the rest periods are longer, and you use slow, controlled movements. This makes the muscles stronger without making them bigger.
Q: What is a good strength training workout?
A: A good strength training program will include two things: a form of resistance against a weight, and doing a little more work this time than you did the last time. You overload your muscles a little and they get stronger. We believe that the best strength training workout is one you will do consistently. So if weights aren’t really your thing, you can do functional training or exercises that provide resistance such as planks, squats, pushups, and burpees.
Q: Is 30 minutes of strength training enough?
A: If you do it correctly and you’re working out two or three times a week then yes. We like to think of training time as a continuum depending on your experience and level of fitness. If you’re just starting out then 20 minutes a session, two days a week is good. If you’re experienced and your muscles are already quite strong you will probably want to train three days a week for up to 40 minutes a session.
Q: How do I create a strength training plan?
A: Ask us for help. There is no single workout routine that’s best for everyone. If you’ve read this far, you probably have a strong desire to be stronger. We can help you put together a plan that will put you on the path to success.
Can you envision a stronger you? After all, you don’t have to be in great shape to get in great shape. You just need to be willing to start where you are. If 2020 hasn’t helped you to be your best self so far — shake it off. There are still three months left. Imagine where you can be by Christmas if you start now.