You have decided that it’s time to take action, so you have
invested in the latest fitness gear, joined a gym and read the
mountains of information available about
muscle building. There
is so much on the web these days that it can be difficult to
know where to start, especially with the conflicting opinions
that are thrown around. What kind of muscle building program
should you choose? How do you know that it will work? This
article gives you the three best tips for starting your first strength training regime.
It is vital to say that you should go to your doctor for a
health check before you start any new exercise program. This
ensures that you are healthy and ready to go. Your personal
trainer will also want to know your health and exercise
background.
1 – A Full Body Program
A strength training program which focuses on your whole body is
the best type of workout. Later down the line you can devise
split programs, where you only work one or two muscle groups per
session, but to start with it is important to build up strength
evenly and in a balanced way. This includes exercises for your
upper body, your lower body, and your core muscles. With this
kind of regime you are making sure that you minimize muscle
imbalances and the chance of injury.
2 – Workout Length
Often you will go to the gym and see the same people there,
whatever time of day you visit. There are people who seem to
live in the gym, but for you, one hour is more than enough time
to do an effective strength training session. The key at the
beginning of the process is to stay disciplined and not let your
excitement and enthusiasm get the better of you. If you suddenly
decide to do half an hour of abdominal crunches, or a few extra
sets of bicep curls, your body will not thank you and you will
more than likely end up injured. Stick to your program and pace
yourself so that you can target your whole body effectively.
3 – Workout Intensity
As this is your first strength building program it is sensible
to start out gently and lift weights comfortably and under full
control. You must strive for perfect technique and develop good
habits. Look at yourself in the mirror as you work out to check
your form; this is not vanity, it is just common sense. Perform
no more than three sets of ten to twelve repetitions for each
exercise. With this approach you are allowing your body to
respond and adapt to the new strains placed on it, minimizing
the risk of injury. It can take a month or more for you to see
the results of your disciplined efforts, but then you will feel
a sense of confidence and accomplishment as you move on to the
next level of muscle building.
Follow these three tips religiously and your first strength
training program will be fun and safe. On top of that, you will
experience the added reward of more muscle, power and
confidence.
Read More about Weight Gain Guide