A Beginner's Guide to Building Muscle

At its core, strength training revolves around the principle of progressive overload. This means that to build muscle and strength, you need to gradually increase the stress placed on your muscles over time. But what does that actually look like?

For beginners, bodyweight exercises are an excellent starting point. Think squats, push-ups, and lunges. These movements utilize your own body weight as resistance, providing a solid foundation for strength development. As you become more proficient, you can gradually add resistance to challenge your muscles further.

One cost-effective and convenient way to do this is with resistance tubes or loops. These simple tools offer additional resistance, allowing you to continue progressing in your strength journey. And when you're ready for the next level, you can explore options like dumbbells and barbells.

The beauty of strength training lies in its adaptability. It's not about clanging weights at a gym; it's about finding what works for you, wherever you are. Whether you're at home or in a gym, the principles remain the same. All you need is your body and a willingness to challenge yourself.

But here's the secret – it doesn't have to be perfect. If you can count (or even if you can't), you can do strength training. Just aim for consistency and progress, and you'll see results.

In fact, you don't even need fancy equipment to get started. As many of us learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, a great starting point is a set of dumbbells and perhaps a bench. Yet also, your body weight alone can provide a challenging workout - no gym required.

Remember, start with the basics, listen to your body, and enjoy the journey of becoming stronger and more resilient. It's not about perfection; it's about progress.

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Check out GLP Strong, an amazing beginner-approved strength program created by our own Dr Francavilla  - it's a simple, short, and effective program meant for patients who are new to strength training or for those who have not done strength training in many years.

GLPstrong.com

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