Venturing into the weight room can be overwhelming at times. People grunting in the corner while heaving heavy dumbbells, weights clanking together on a barbell; and to top it all off, there’s a sea of machines with multiple moving parts and levers. Toss in choosing the right exercises and number of sets and reps, and strength training can seem overly complex (calculator anyone?).
But there is a method to the madness. When done effectively, lifting weights offers amazing benefits, not only for building bigger muscles and achieving that desired physique, but also boosting your resting metabolism (translation: burn more calories outside the gym!) Effect of acute resistance exercise on postexercise oxygen consumption and resting metabolic rate in young women. Osterberg KL, Melby CL. Dept. of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2000 Mar;10(1):71-81. Resistance training and energy balance. Poehlman ET, Melby C. Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. International Journal of Sports Nutrition, 1998 Jun;8(2):143-59. Resistance training increases total energy expenditure and free-living physical activity in older adults. Hunter GR, Wetzstein CJ, Fields DA, et al. Human Studies Department, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Journal of Applied Physiology, 2000 Sep;89(3):977-84.. Regular strength training can even improve mood and confidence levels Physical fitness and psychological benefits of strength training in community dwelling older adults. Tsutsumi T, Don BM, Zaichkowsky LD, et al. School of Education, Boston University, Boston, MA. Applied Human Sciences, 1997 Nov;16(6):257-66..
Ready to find that perfect training plan? To get us started (and keep us motivated along the way), we enlisted the help of Greatist Experts Dan Trink, Director of Personal Training Operations at Peak Performance, and Kelvin Gary, personal trainer and owner of Body Space Fitness. Check out their helpful tips, plus sample programs to hit the ground (err…gym floor) running!
Pump Some Iron—Getting Started
Starting a strength training program is a little more complicated than just grabbing some dumbbells and your favorite gym tee and hoisting away—it requires a set program. Before hitting the weights, check out these tips to get started on the right foot:
- Set goals! Goals should be the driving force of any strength training program. Follow the SMART acronym (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time bound) and make sure to set both short and long-term targets.
- Start small. Three days a week (on non-consecutive days) for 45-minute sessions should be enough for most individuals to see big gains starting out, says Trink. Any longer and the chance of injury skyrockets.
- Focus on compound lifts. Gary advocates multi-joint exercises (think squats and deadlifts) as the backbone of any strength training program. By using big moves, lifters can get more done in less time. Plus, it always pays to focus on (and master!) the basics before moving on.
- Prioritize Lifts. Put the most important exercises first. That way, fatigue won’t compromise form on the biggest lifts Effects of exercise order on upper-body muscle activation and exercise performance. Gentil, P, Oliveira, E, de Araújo Rocha Júnior, V, et al. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2007 Nov;21(4):1082-6.. In general, compound lifts should go first with more isolated exercises (finally, a spot for curls) towards the end of the workout.
- Watch the clock. Limit rest periods between sets to maximize efficiency in the gym. Trink uses the following guidelines:
- 6 reps or less = rest 2-3 minutes
- Above 6 reps = rest 75 seconds or less
- Combine cardio and strength. Gary recommends performing exercises back-to-back (referred to as supersets in the fitness realm) to get the benefits of strength and cardio. By supersetting compound lifts, you’ll get your heart rate up and get a great cardio workout on the weight room floor.
- Log all workouts. Keeping track of sets, reps, and exercises is crucial for noting progress and identifying when it’s time to up the intensity. Write down sets, reps, and weights used for all workouts. Keeping a log also acts as a motivator!
- Vary the program. Avoid sticking to the same routine for more than six weeks, Trink advises. Lifters should switch up their program to avoid getting bored and plateauing (going a few weeks without seeing any results).
- Don’t skip the extras. Make time for foam rolling and stretching to help prevent muscles from tightening up and to stay injury-free!
3, 2, 1… Lift Off!—Your Action Plan
Ready to get started? Whether you’ve got three, four, or five days to devote to training, these programs will help you make the most out of hitting the gym.
I Have… 3 Days a Week
Your plan: Total Body Routine
Why it works: This program hits all major muscle groups during each workout, yielding maximum gains in minimum time.
What to do: Complete 2-3 sets of 10-12 reps of the following exercises. Note: Perform A and B exercises back-to-back as supersets. Rest 60 seconds between each exercise.
Monday (Day One)
1A) Barbell Deadlift
1B) Dumbbell Bench Press
2A) Lunge (bodyweight or using dumbbells)
2B) Single-Arm Dumbbell Shoulder Press
3A) Leg Press
3B) Plank (Hold for 30-45 seconds)
Wednesday (Day Two)
1A) Barbell Back Squat
1B) Chin-up (bodyweight or assisted)
2A) Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
2B) Singe-Leg Stability Ball Hamstring Curl
3A) Side Lunges (bodyweight or using dumbbells)
3B) Reverse Crunch
Friday (Day Three)
1A) Barbell Front Squat
1B) Inverted Row
2A) Single-Leg Dumbbell Deadlift
2B) Incline Dumbbell Bench Press
3A) Reverse Lunge (bodyweight or using dumbbells)
3B) Side Plank (Hold for 30-45 seconds)
I Have… 4 Days a Week
Your plan: Upper/Lower Body Split
Why it works: Dedicating focused time to upper and lower body workouts means more specificity and detail for each workout leading to fast progress and big gains.
What to do: Complete 2-3 sets of 10-12 reps of the following exercises. Note: Perform A and B (or A, B, and C) exercises back-to-back as supersets. Rest 60 seconds between exercises.
Monday (Day 1 – Lower Body)
1) Barbell Back Squat
2A) Walking Lunge (bodyweight or use dumbbells)
2B) Lying Hamstring Curl
3A) Leg Press
3B) Calf Raise
3C) Plank (Hold for 30-45 seconds)
Tuesday (Day 2 – Upper Body)
1) Chin-up (bodyweight or assisted)
2A) Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
2B) Incline Dumbbell Bench Press
3A) Cable Chest Fly 3B) Barbell Bicep Curl
3C) Reverse Crunch
Take Wednesday off, then on repeat the same Upper/Lower Split on Thursday and Friday.
I Have… 5 Days a Week
Your Plan: Body Part Split
Why it works: Devoting specific days to each body part allows for a targeted approach to building muscle and seeing results.
What to do: Complete 2-3 sets of 10-12 reps of the following exercises. Note: Perform A and B (or A, B, and C) exercises back-to-back as supersets. Rest 60 seconds between exercises.
Monday (Day 1 – Chest/Triceps)
1) Dumbbell Bench Press
2A) Incline Dumbbell Press
2B) Dips
3A) Cable Chest Fly
3B) Tricep Pushdown
3C) Plank
Tuesday (Day 2 – Lower Body)
1) Barbell Squats
2A) Single-Leg Deadlift
2B) Lunges
3A) Leg Press
3B) Glute Hamstring Raise
3C) Calf Raise
Wednesday (Day 3 – Back/Biceps)
1) Pull-Up
2A) Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
3A) Dumbbell Pullover 3B) Cable Bicep Curl
3C) Face Pull
Friday (Day 4 – Lower Body)
1) Barbell Deadlift
2A) Single-Leg Squat
2B) Lunges
3A) Leg Press
3B) Calf Raise
3C) Plank
Saturday (Day 5 – Shoulders/Abs)
2A) Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press
2B) Dumbbell Lateral Raise
3A) Farmer’s Walk (walk 50 feet)
3B) Roll-Out 3C) Overhead Waiter's Carry (walk 50 feet)
Remember, exercise is just part of the fitness equation. Getting quality sleep and proper nutrition can maximize all of the sweat sessions (especially post-workout). Vary the reps/sets every few weeks to prevent boredom and keep the body guessing. Keep progressing workouts to avoid hitting the wall and transform into a lean strength training machine!
