Your nutrition makes up for most of your results. If I was to put a ratio to it, 60-80% of your results come from your diet while 20-40% comes from your workouts.
Second, the only true rule of training is this: do what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Sound familiar, huh?
Just like with your diet, you want your workouts to fit your preferences. If you enjoy the Powerlifting concept of lifting super- heavy things, get on a Powerlifting program. If you prefer Bodybuilding-style workouts, then do that. If Crossfit intrigues you, then by all means, join a Crossfit gym.
That being said, science has proven time and time again that strength training is the most efficient and effective mode of exercise. Essentially, it gives the most return on your investment and has endless benefits.
Whatever strength training program you decide to do, just make sure it incorporates the following guidelines.
Progressive Overload
Simply put, strive to be better week in and week out. The specifics and science doesn’t matter just as long as you’re getting stronger and better.
Add more weight to your squats over time. Aim to do 1 more chin- up next month than you do this month. Shave a few seconds off of your 1-mile personal record.
Whatever workout program you’re doing, just do better.
Focus on Compound Movements
These are the exercises that work more than one muscle group at a time (otherwise known as isolation exercises).
Any variation of the following movements will do wonders for your body:
- Squats
- Deadlifts
- Bench Press
- Overhead Presses
- Rows
- Chin-ups
Have Fun
As stupid and cliché as it sounds, you have to make sure that you’re having fun.
Think of the last time you did a workout program that wasn’t. How long did that last?
Like with your diet, you have to enjoy working out.
Because if you don’t, you’ll eventually drop off, give up, and go back to square one.
Maintain Proper Form
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to do your exercises with proper form.
The way you do your exercises can significantly affect their efficiency and effectiveness.
More importantly, maintaining proper form with everything that you do ensures that your body stays healthy. Getting hurt is the last thing you want, for obvious reasons that I don’t need to get into.
Which brings me to the last training guideline…
Work With a Professional That Specializes In What You Want to Do
The key word here is “professional”.
If you want to get into weight lifting, this can be a personal trainer.
If you want to run a marathon, this can be a running coach.
If you’re trying to learn a specific martial art, this can mean taking classes.
Whatever it is you want to do, take time to work with a professional at some point in your life.
The return on your investment will be exponentially greater than the money you put in: you’ll save time and money, attain skills faster, and most importantly, keep you accountable.