So, I’m in the market for a new lawn mower and, of course, fired up the Google machine.
After a half hour, I was more confused about what I should buy now than when I started.
Same goes for fitness.
Everywhere you look online, there’s another “expert” telling us how to train.
One day, it’s bodyweight.
The next, kettlebells.
The next, it’s some cockamamy contraption we’ve never seen.
The truth?
Strength training doesn’t have to be complicated.
Today, let’s get back to the basics:
Strength training.
My goal is not to give you the hard sell.
Or, shame you into getting off your tail.
But instead, give you the goods so you can’t not strength train today.
Okay, this is a bit of the hard sell…but, it’s only because we care:)
Here we go…
Strength training does NOT have to be complicated or scary.
We can boil it down to two things:
1. Movement of any weight against resistance
It doesn’t matter if you’re using free weights, your body weight, bands, etc.
Doing ANY movement/exercise that breaks down your muscles and forces them to rebuild stronger to prepare for the next workout is strength training.
2. Progressive overload
We need to do slightly more each time…consistently.
A little more weight.
An extra rep.
A new tempo.
ALL will drive your muscles to adapt and rebuild.
When we strength train, we create microscopic tears (that don’t hurt) that put our muscles through hypertrophy (hi-per-treh-phee).
Hypertrophy grows our muscles bigger and stronger so they can meet the challenge of the next exercise, then the next, and the next…
If you were to drop down and do ONE push-up right now, you’ve technically done a strength training workout.
Now, if you drop down and do TWO push-ups tomorrow, you’ve satisfied the second step – progressive overload.
Pretty simple, right?
Of course, there are many different “strength/resistance” training paths.
The path you choose depends on your goals and the equipment available to you.
In the 18STRONG Membership, we have two programs for beginners to choose from:
Golf Body Blueprint – Activate
Golf Body Blueprint – Anywhere
The Activate program requires a decently outfitted gym.
The Anywhere program can be done in a 5X5 area in your living room.
Or, if you have a plan you used to do, or a friend recommends…do that.
It’s up to you where you want to start.
The important thing is just to start.
STAY STRONG,
Jeff
PS – I cannot stress the importance of simply starting.
Of course, we’d love to have you join the 18STRONG Membership(we obviously believe it’s the best option), but it’s more important that you get up and moving.
So, that’s my challenge today:
Do a little bit more than you did yesterday.