I’m currently weight lifting, but I've also lifted off and on for years. I was thinking about how a beginner might react if they tried to start a program, and thought of this idea for an article for beginners. FYI in case you’d like to develop it and use it in your business – below is a rough outline. You may get more than one article out of it. (Posting as a benefit to INSIDERS.)
Challenges for Beginner Weight Lifters
Overwhelm - so much equipment, so many exercises
The problem: learning any kind of full body routine, much less a split routine, involves many different kinds of exercises and utilizes many different kind of machines, barbells, or dumbells.
Possible solutions: focus on getting into the habit of working out routinely. Expect that the first few weeks may not be a great workout. Use that time to try 2-3 new exercises and figure out your starting weights with each visit. I.e., don’t try to learn it all at once.
Safety – why it’s important for beginners to pay attention to this
The problem: beginners are learning so much, safety is probably last on their list to think about. But the beginning is the best time to establish good habits, which will not only protect you in years to come but also give you better results.
Possible solutions: sacrifice weight for form until you have the right form. Understand how poor form actually reduces the load on the target muscle. Work with a trainer, even if it’s only once in awhile, to learn form and check form.
Starting weight – it’s difficult to figure out what your starting weight should be
The problem: figuring out starting weight is a trial and error process
Possible solutions: understand what it means to gauge muscle fatigue, e.g., failure, 1-2 reps shy of failure, and so on. Then select a weight that meets the fatigue and rep goal. Why tracking helps you identify this weight as well as know when to try and increase it.
…and so on. Here are some other topics:
Challenges for Beginner Weight Lifters
Overwhelm - so much equipment, so many exercises
The problem: learning any kind of full body routine, much less a split routine, involves many different kinds of exercises and utilizes many different kind of machines, barbells, or dumbells.
Possible solutions: focus on getting into the habit of working out routinely. Expect that the first few weeks may not be a great workout. Use that time to try 2-3 new exercises and figure out your starting weights with each visit. I.e., don’t try to learn it all at once.
Safety – why it’s important for beginners to pay attention to this
The problem: beginners are learning so much, safety is probably last on their list to think about. But the beginning is the best time to establish good habits, which will not only protect you in years to come but also give you better results.
Possible solutions: sacrifice weight for form until you have the right form. Understand how poor form actually reduces the load on the target muscle. Work with a trainer, even if it’s only once in awhile, to learn form and check form.
Starting weight – it’s difficult to figure out what your starting weight should be
The problem: figuring out starting weight is a trial and error process
Possible solutions: understand what it means to gauge muscle fatigue, e.g., failure, 1-2 reps shy of failure, and so on. Then select a weight that meets the fatigue and rep goal. Why tracking helps you identify this weight as well as know when to try and increase it.
…and so on. Here are some other topics:
- Gym etiquette – not camping out, asking to work in, grunting, slamming, etc.
- Expectations – how to gauge your progress, and how muscle gain and fat loss shows up on the scale
- Equipment – what’s the difference in using a machine v. barbell v. dumbbells
- Soreness and fatigue – how to know when it’s too much, typical symptoms of overtraining, and how much to expect as time goes on
- Core exercises v. supplementary – targeting the large muscles with basic exercises v. the more focused, targeted, specialty movements (exrx.net is a great DIY resource, and no, I’m not affiliated with it)
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today
