Weight Training Tips

Article by Vince Delmonte

Not a lot of people know how to weight train properly. There would be many more muscular and lean guys walking around if it was easy. Below are five weight training tips you need to know before you even put your foot inside the gym.

1. Set a realistic goal

2. You need to make a commitment to yourself that you will stick with a program for at least twelve weeks.

3. Learn what you need to do before you start

4. Learn the proper techniques or hire a trainer to help you.

5. Gradual progression

Weight Training Tip #1: Goal Setting

You need to set a goal for yourself that is realistic. Don’t expect to be a fitness model in a few months. How much muscle do you wish to gain 3 months from now? 6 months? A year? By asking yourself these questions you can better formulate a plan on how to actually meet these goals. Let’s say you want to gain 25 pounds of muscle by the end of the year. You would then create a plan that would help you gain a half pound of muscle per week.

Weight Training Tip #2: Commitment

You need to make a decision that you’re going to get this part handled for yourself. Make a promise to yourself that you will see the program through to the end. Find a program that fits your needs and make sure you understand completely what you need to do. If not, don’t be afraid to contact the author and get clarification. Don’t try a program for a few weeks and then say that you’re not seeing any progress and move on to the next program. That will start the deadly cycle of “program hopping” and when that happens you will never achieve the goal you’ve set.

Weight Training Tip #3: Edumacation

Yeah that’s right, edumacation. Like the old saying goes, knowledge is power. Before you embark on any major endeavor, it is to your best interest to learn as much as possible about that particular topic. If a buddy requested your help on how they can build their perfect physique in twelves weeks can you help them? Never mind that, how about you? If you can’t, then you don’t know enough about muscle building. Go to a website or order a book. Don’t just wing it, you won’t get any significant gains. Learn all you need to know to get started.

Weight Training Tip #4: Proper Technique

Proper technique is KEY when trying to build muscles. If your technique is off, you risk damaging tendons, ligaments, and joints. Furthermore, incorrect techniques will give you limited gains since the movement will not be utilizing the maximum amount of muscle fibers. Do your homework, hire a trainer that can help you or look at videos from experts that show you how a movement is performed.

Weight Training Tip #5: Progression

You need to make measurable progress. I’m not saying you should increase your squat by 40 pounds next week. But what if your squat consistently increased by 5 pounds every week for the next 8 weeks? You would have increased your squat weight by 40 pounds, and that is some really good gains! What you need to do is simply out do yourself every week. Doesn’t mater if it’s 5 pounds or 1 pound, one extra rep or one extra set. As long as you’re making progress, you will eventually get to where you want to be.

Conclusion

Get started on the right foot by utilizing the above tips. In any endeavor, having a game plan is the difference between success and failure.

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