4 Things You Should Know Before You Start Lifting Weights
Starting your fitness journey can feel overwhelming, especially when there’s so much advice floating around. The truth is, lifting weights doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, there are a few key things that can make the process smoother and help you see better results. Whether you’re just starting out or getting back into the gym, these tips are for you!
1. You Don’t Need to Spend Hours in the Gym
Contrary to popular belief, spending 2+ hours in the gym and doing 8+ exercises for a single muscle group isn’t necessary to see progress. A well-structured, efficient workout can be done in a shorter time, leaving you with more time to enjoy the rest of your day.
Focus on quality over quantity by incorporating compound lifts (like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses) that target multiple muscle groups. It’s not about how long you train; it’s about how effective your training is.
Quick Tip: Think of your gym time like a hero’s training arc—you don’t need filler episodes. Focus on the main plot points (your lifts) to get the best results!
2. Soreness Isn’t the Goal
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to be sore after every workout to know it was effective. But soreness isn’t the only (or best) indicator of progress. Instead of chasing soreness, focus on progression. If you’re lifting heavier weights, completing more reps, or improving your form, you’re making gains—whether you’re sore or not.
Remember, heroes don’t get stronger by just feeling beat up after every battle. They get stronger by training smarter and improving their skills over time.
3. Log Your Workouts
Tracking your workouts can make a huge difference in your progress. While it’s not mandatory, logging your lifts allows you to see exactly what you’ve done and what you need to do to improve. It’s like having a roadmap for your fitness journey.
Whether you prefer an app or a simple notebook, tracking your progress helps you stay consistent and ensures you’re always moving forward.
Quick Tip: Think of logging your workouts as tracking your XP in a game. You know exactly how much you’ve leveled up and what’s needed to hit your next milestone.
4. Use a Variety of Rep Ranges
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to reps and weights. It’s okay to mix things up! You can lift heavy weights with a rep range of 4–8 or go lighter with a range of 15–20. The key is to push close to failure or reach failure during your sets.
As long as you’re challenging your muscles, you’ll be making progress. Mixing up your rep ranges also keeps your workouts more interesting, so you’re less likely to plateau or lose motivation.
Your senpai personally trains in the lower rep range with heavier weight but training lighter at higher reps will also work. Remember, enjoyment is a huge factor in the success of ones fitness journey!
Key Takeaways
- Keep your workouts efficient—no need for marathon gym sessions.
- Don’t chase soreness; focus on progression.
- Log your workouts to track your progress and level up.
- Experiment with different rep ranges, but always train with intensity.
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