The Beginner’s Guide To Weight Training

Getting into tip top physical health is about so much more than eating right and working up a sweat and if you really want to push your body, it’s all about how you use your muscles. Entering into the world of weight training can be more than a little confusing if you’re a beginner and after one glance at the rows of different obstacles and machines, you might be put off for good. The trick is to take it slowly. Weight training is something that requires a little forward planning but once you know what muscle groups you want to work out and what your natural ability is like, things can be remarkably more easy. Gaining strength should be one of the easiest things in the world and once you get going with your training, you might never look back.

1. How Do You Want To Train?

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Despite its name, weight training can cover a huge number of different categories, all related to a different kind of strength building. While using instruments like dumbbells is perhaps the most traditional course you can take, you can get just as good a workout from your own body weight, or movement-based machines. If you want to simply tone up and improve your general strength, smaller weights and active exercises can help you to get in shape, whereas more heavy duty training can benefit large muscle mass build up. The key is knowing where you want to be before you start out; that way, getting there will become a whole lot more easy.

2. Pick A Training Program

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The key to getting the most out of your strength training workout is going into the session with an idea of what you want to get out of it. If you’re just starting out, enlisting the services of a personal trainer or weight expert is a great idea; not only will you learn what works in the best way for your body but also, you will avoid the risk of developing an injury from misusing the equipment.

3. Start Slowly

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If you’re training in a gym, you might be tempted to try to keep up with all of the other weight lifters around you but when you’re just starting out, this can be incredibly detrimental to both your technique and your health. Aiming to complete a minimal number of repetitions on each type of equipment is a good way to get going at first; the goal is to complete your set, not to break any records. As you gain confidence and strength, you can slowly up the amount of reps that you complete but at first, ease yourself in gently.

4. Control Your Weights

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While weight training is all about increasing your strength through resistance, you should never put your body at risk by lifting above your capabilities. If you’re having to put in significant effort to even lift a weight from its starting position, it might be too heavy for you to use. Working up to the level is certainly something to aim for but at first, don’t tire yourself out too much.

5. Stretch It Out

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Like with any sort of exercise, it is vital to your improvement that you stretch your body out after a heavy weights session. Finishing each set by stretching out your muscles, standing up straight and shaking things off will minimize the risk of injury and keep you feeling supple. Make sure you commit enough time and attention to the cool down period of your regime; it might not seem important but scrimp on this step, and you could be feeling it in the morning.