Where Do I Start With Resistance Training?
By Coach Tii, Community Wellness Ambassador
Before I started coaching, I would got to the gym, do an hour of “fasted-cardio” and then maybe do some crunches and leave. It always felt good afterward, but I wasn’t consistent enough because I was bored out of my mind. I dreaded going, and often would leave mid-cardio sessions and tell myself it was enough. I had no formal coaching or training and was in the early stages of my exercise science degree, so I learned by social media and google.
As my education progressed and I found coaches and trainers I trusted, I realized that picking up and putting down heavy things made drastic changes in my body physically, but I was also more focused and had more joy. I unlocked something inside me when I started strength training consistently and started to see myself differently when I was able to overcome hard workouts and lift heavier.
I was more in-tune with my body when it came to nutrition, I became stronger and lost stubborn body-fat, and I felt like I had finally found a way to exercises that kept me in the moment. I was making progress faster than I had in my year of doing cardio for an hour, 3-4 times a week. There was not an aspect of my life that didn’t improve in some way after I started resistance training, and my life continues to improve to this day.
Resistance training, also known as strength training, involves working with weights or against a force, to build strength and muscular endurance in the body. It can be performed using free weights, machines, or resistance bands and is an excellent way to improve overall strength and power. Resistance training can benefit people of ALL ages and fitness levels by strengthening muscles and joints, which aids in preventing injury, improving posture, and increasing brain activity (lifting literally makes you smarter).
If you are uncertain about or new to using weights for workouts, you might be thinking, “Where do I start when it comes to resistance training?”, and the answer is with body-weight exercises. Movements such as push-ups, squats, and lunges use your body weight as resistance and can be performed anywhere, making them a convenient, cost, and time-effective option for those who do not have access to equipment.
Using just your body also allows you to focus on and develop better movement techniques, which is excellent for improving strength, stability, and flexibility. Functional fitness involves training the body to move in ways it would naturally such as squatting, lifting, and pulling. Resistance training is an essential component of functional fitness as it builds strength, endurance, and mobility so that the body can move more freely and confidently during those daily activities.
Overall, incorporating resistance training and body weight exercises into your workout routine will greatly improve your overall health and well-being. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced athlete, I highly recommend working with a coach or an intentional-trainer to guide and challenge you in a safe environment so you can achieve your fitness goals.
Group classes are a great place to start as well and Healthy St Pete has a bunch of them for FREE, like Cardio Kickboxing with me every 1st Tuesday of the month at 6pm! Click HERE to check out the classes and sign up for a FREE membership and get started on your new healthy adventure!
Coach Tii runs Burg Body Fitness, an independent wellness company focused on creating a fun and non-judgmental atmosphere for her clients.
