It’s Tuesday. It’s March. And the weather feels like spring here in St. Louis, so let’s jump right back into yesterday’s topic: strength training for beginners.
Now that you know what it is, what are different types of strength training you can use to get fit? And improve your golf.
We typically mix in each of the following three into our programming:
1. Dumbbell Training
2. Bodyweight Training
3. Barbell Training
Each has advantages and disadvantages, so we do our best to take advantage of the pros of each.
For example, dumbbell training is a great way to fix strength imbalances. If you’re doing a bench press with a barbell, your dominant side can over-compensate. With a dumbbell in each hand, it’s impossible.
So, the question you should be asking yourself is, “What’s the best workout program to start with?”
Realistically, it’s the one you will ACTUALLY do.
I prefer dumbbells, so that’s what I do.
I have friends who prefer the convenience of bodyweight training they can do anywhere.
Others love loading up the barbell.
That being said, we’ve seen the biggest success for beginners when they start with bodyweight – like the Golf Body Blueprint Anywhere program.
This is assuming you can motivate yourself to work out at home. Sometimes you flop on the couch. And it’s hard to get back up. If that’s the case, you may be better off joining a gym. Either way, you can do bodyweight workouts anywhere.
Regardless of the style of strength training you prefer, there are two things that each program needs:
- Begin with a “total body” routine 2-3 times per week, with a rest day between each workout.
By “total body”, I mean that you are working arms, shoulders, chest, back, legs in each workout. As opposed to having an “arm day” or “leg day”. You’ll be much better served with that strategy when you’re just getting started.
- Take advantage of compound movements. A compound movement is an exercise that recruits a lot of muscles simultaneously.
A squat is a great compound movement. It uses every muscle in your core, butt and legs to lift the weight. Why do 5 exercises when 1 will get you better results in 20% of the time?
Again, the best program for you is the one you’ll actually do.
So let’s get to it!
You’ve got this,
Jeff Pelizzaro
PS – If bodyweight exercises are your jam to get started (and I highly recommend it), then you can click the following link to access Golf Body Blueprint Anywhere.
If you prefer weights, you can check out the 18STRONG Membership App.