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Weight training guide for beginners including benefits and workouts

Abhishek Bhadauria | Jul 26 2024
Weight training guide for beginners including benefits and workouts

The idea of lifting weights can be quite frightening but it is one of the best ways to gain strength, develop muscles and enhance general wellness. If you have just embarked on this journey, it is wise to know what to expect, the advantages and how to set a training plan that works for you. We will simplify this.

What Is Weight Training?

Weight training also known as resistance training involves using weights to challenge your muscles. The idea is that when you lift or resist weights, your muscles work harder than in normal circumstances thus enabling them to develop faster hence their strengthening.

Why Should You Try Weight Training?

There are many reasons to try weight training, but the most highlighted and essential reasons are given below:
1. Builds Muscle: One of the main benefits of weight training is that it helps build muscle. Stronger muscles mean you’ll be able to lift more, do everyday activities more easily, and even look more toned.
2. Boosts Metabolism: Muscles consume more energy than fat tissues do. Therefore, having a high proportion of skeletal mass would enable you to burn even while sleeping.
3. Enhances Mental Health: Exercise, including weight training, releases endorphins which can help reduce stress and improve your mood.
4. Increases Strength and Endurance: Regular weight training can increase your strength and endurance, making physical tasks easier and improving your fitness overall.
5. Supports Weight Loss: Weight training can also help with weight loss when paired with a balanced diet because it increases muscle mass and metabolism.

What to Keep in Mind If you are a Beginners at Weight Training

In weight training, here are some important principles:
1. Warm Up: Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes before the workout to prepare the muscles for strain while preventing injury during exercise. An example of a good warm-up routine is jogging slowly around the block or briskly walking down the street.
2. Start With Light Weights: Use small weights first as you learn how to do the exercise correctly. As soon as lifters become more at ease, they are allowed to add more mass gradually.
3. Rest and Recover: Muscles need time between workouts for them not to remain tensed up all through. It is important then to follow up on two-week plans for muscle recovery.
4. Stay Consistent: Consistency is essential if you want to witness improvement. Try including weightlifting into your schedule at least two or three times a week. To continue challenging your muscles and promoting growth, increase weights, sets or repetitions gradually as you go along.


Beginner Weight Training Workouts:

This simple workout can target all major muscle groups and can be performed 2-3 days a week with a day’s rest in between.

1. Full-Body Workout Warm-Up: 5-10 minutes of light cardio (jogging, jumping jacks, or brisk walking)

  • Squats: 3 sets of 10-12 reps Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, bend over as though seated on a chair, and push through the heels to stand back up again.
  • Push-Ups: 3 sets of 8-10 reps Starting in plank position, bending down to touch the floor and then raising body back up again. A modification would be to perform them on the knees instead.
  • Dumbbell Rows: 3 sets of 10-12 reps (each side) With your back straight but leaning forward at the waist hold one dumbbell in one hand, and pull it towards the hip area before letting it drop again. 

2. Split Routine: You might choose to work on different days concentrating on specific body parts like this:

Day 1: Upper Body

  • Bench Press: 3 sets of 8-10 reps. Lie flat on an exercise bench pushing weights away from the chest using either barbells or dumbbells before returning them downward.
  • Dumbbell Bicep Curls: perform 3 sets of 10 reps each set standing with both palms holding weights, and lifting elbows may sometimes help too!

Day 2: Lower Body

  • Legs Press or Squats: 3 sets of 10-12 reps. For leg presses, sit on the machine and push the weight with your feet. For squats, follow the squat instructions above.
  • Lunges: 3 sets of 10-12 reps (each leg). Step forward with one leg, lower your body until both knees are bent at a 90-degree angle, then push back to the start position.

Day 3: Core and Cardio

  • Mountain Climbers: 3 sets of 30 seconds each. Start in plank position and alternate bringing your knees towards your chest quickly.
  • Bicycle Crunch: 3 sets of 15-20 reps. Lying on your back raise both legs then take turns bringing an elbow to meet the opposite knee while extending the other leg at once. 

Tips for Achieving Success

Weight training for beginners is a process that should be achieved by following these tips:

1. Listen to Your Body: When you are experiencing pain (not be confused with the usual muscle burn), then stop and evaluate. Sometimes you may need to rest.
2. Drink a Lot of Water: Water is essential before, during and after exercise. For that reason, it is recommended that someone takes ample water to ensure that they remain hydrated and have stable energy levels.
3. Balanced Diet: A balanced diet includes a variety of proteins, carbohydrates and good fats which assist in muscle recovery and development. Some examples of proteins include chicken, fish beans, vegetables and whole grains.
4. Keep Track of Your Progress: A workout journal is necessary so that one can record weights used, repetitions and sets completed. This will help one see the progress made and hence feel motivated.
5. Make Realistic Goals: Start with small achievable goals, then increase them gradually as you get stronger; for instance, you may choose to add extra weights or an additional set weekly.

Conclusion

Weight training is an effective method that can greatly improve our health and physical fitness levels but it requires having a plan in place before starting to work out as it's risky when not planned well. By knowing its benefits, beginning with simple workouts and following the above-mentioned pointers getting fit will be a walk in the park for you. You can also look for personal weight training, it will have you personal trainer guidance and a community to workout with. MultiFit gym can be your next step to master weight training. Remember always that being patient plus proceeding at a steady pace is essential in everything we do.