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Last active September 9, 2021 06:33
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Basic resistance training program

Basic resistance training program

WORKOUT A

Optimally, the order of the exercises shouldn't change, but if equipment is taken or whatever, changing the order is ok.

Squatting movement

2-3 sets of 5-15 reps each

eg https://exrx.net/WeightExercises/GluteusMaximus/BBFullSquat

doesn't have to be barbell squat - can be leg press, squat machine, single leg step ups on a bench you can do in the park, whatever, as long as it's a squatting/leg pressing movement

Horizontal pressing movement

2-3 sets of 5-15 reps each

eg https://exrx.net/WeightExercises/PectoralSternal/BBBenchPress

doesn't have to be bench press - can be lying dumbbell press, chest press machine, pushups, whatever, as long as it's a horizontal pressing movement

Lateral pulling movement

2-3 sets of 5-15 reps each

eg https://exrx.net/WeightExercises/LatissimusDorsi/BWUnderhandChinup

doesn't have to be chinups - can be assisted chinups, pulldowns, whatever, as long as it's a lateral pulling movement

Optional accessory work

eg rubber band, crunches, hip bridges to hit the glutes, whatever

WORKOUT B

Optimally, the order of the exercises shouldn't change, but if equipment is taken or whatever, changing the order is ok.

Deadlift movement

2-3 sets of 5-15 reps each

eg https://exrx.net/WeightExercises/GluteusMaximus/BBDeadlift

doesn't have to be barbell deadlifts - can be dumbbell deadlifts, single leg weight deadlift, whatever, as long as it's a deadlift movement

Lateral pressing movement

2-3 sets of 5-15 reps each

eg https://exrx.net/WeightExercises/DeltoidAnterior/BBMilitaryPress

doesn't have to be a barbell press - can be standing/sitting dumbbell press, shoulder press machine, whatever, as long as it's a lateral pressing movement

Horizontal pulling movement

2-3 sets of 5-15 reps each

eg https://exrx.net/WeightExercises/BackGeneral/BBBentOverRow

doesn't have to be barbell row - can be cable row, dumbbell row, inverted rows hanging from a bar like we do when we're in the park, whatever, as long as it's a horizontal pulling movement

Optional accessory work

eg rubber band stuff, crunches, hip bridges to hit the glutes, whatever

About

No matter whether the goal is to lose fat, gain muscle, get more "toned", get stronger, get whatever, a simple resistance training program, with full body workouts, using basic compound movements, will not only give the best results, but also the most bang for your buck. (ie it's EFFICIENT) It just needs to be applied consistently. (without being fundamentalist about it - a missed workout isn't going to erase all progress, it's better to do a bit, often, than go all out and kill yourself in the gym once or twice a week)

Go easy in the beginning or you will get too sore.

Once you get the hang of the exercises, use progressive overload (=add weight, do a harder variation etc) to improve incrementally over time. Resistance training should be fairly heavy - if you can do more than 15 reps of a given exercise, it's time to add weight or switch to a harder variation so you can only do 5-10 reps, build that up to 15 and then rinse and repeat.

There are only 2 workouts in the routine. Just alternative between them and get 2-5 sessions per week. (3-4 per week being the sweet spot - 2 is a bit low, 5 is a bit much)

Because both A and B are completely independent, full body workouts, there's no need to worry about scheduling or which workout to do when. Just go whenever and do the other workout from what you did last. Literally all questions to do with scheduling, numbers of As and Bs in a week or across weeks eg

If I do 3 per week, won't I end up doing A twice and B only once?

What if I miss a workout?

What if I do 3 one week and 4 the other, won't it be an uneven number of A and B?

Do I need to rest a day between workouts or can I do them on consecutive days?

etc etc are irrelevant - don't worry about any of that, just go whenever and do the other workout from what you did last.

DON'T OVERCOMPLICATE - DON'T GET BOGGED DOWN WORRYING ABOUT MINUTE DETAILS ABOUT A PROGRAM OR INDIVIDUAL EXERCISES OR WHATEVER

Just go and exercise. Compared to not doing it (=0 per year), consistently doing it 3-4 times per week is 150-200 (!) workouts in a year - that WILL make a significant and rapid difference in fitness, even if you can't feel or see it after the first couple of weeks.

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