[Before we get into this very short piece, I'm making the replay of last week's free training teleseminar available for the next 3 days only. So if you want to listen to it, go to http://www.worldfitnessnetwork.com/more/maycallreplay.html right now.]
Who Are You Calling A Beginner?
Are you a beginner? Or an advanced lifter? Or an intermediate?
How do you know?
Let’s take a moment and define these stages as far as I’m concerned. It’s important for several upcoming articles I’ll be sharing on Programs and lifting practices. So I want you know which bucket you fall into.
A few pre-reqs:
- only free-weights count; using machines doesn’t count no matter how long and religiously you’ve stuck to it
- in the calculations below, any time you spent lifting longer than 10 yrs ago doesn’t count; sorry guys – your muscle memory is too far back, plus enough science has been done in the past decade that your past assumptions are likely no longer as true
- “consistently” means that you work with weights at least 3 days a week and you almost never miss a workout (or if you do, you make it up the next day); I’m talking at least 90% compliant here – that means at most you miss about 1 workout a month
- you could be doing body-building routines, strength routines, powerlifting, whatever – as long as it’s free-weights
Newbie - you’ve either never done an entire workout with free-weights, or it’s only been a couple times over the years when your buddy has invited you to ride along with his workout
Beginner - you’ve either just started a regular free-weight routine (a couple months) or you’ve started and stopped and started and stopped etc. over the years, never working out consistently for more than a year. There’s a good chance you fit the Beginner category.
Intermediate - You’ve either been working out consistently for the past 12 months, rarely missing a workout OR you have worked out for at least a year straight in the past and have now been back into it for at least 3 months.
Advanced - Here, you’ve got at least 3 full years of consecutive lifting, at least 1 of those years being current. Now, if you used to lift regularly, took some time off, and are now back into it seriously, you can only count half of your previous time. For example, if you lifted regularly for 4 yrs in the past, took a year off (or more), and have now been doing it consistently for the past year, that adds up to 3 yrs. But don’t count any time from longer than 10 yrs ago. So even if you lifted for 3 years straight 10 yrs ago, but have only just gotten back into it, you are not an advanced lifter in my book.
Semi-Pro – at this stage you know what it takes for you to get results and you have gotten great results; you could possibly enter a bodybuilding or strength contest; you’d know what do to though you’d have to work hard to get ready
Pro - you’ve already competed in either a bodybuilding show or a strength contest and did well; most likely you’ve been lifting consistently for the last 3 to 5 yrs, maybe more
I’m SURE there are people out there who disagree with me – if so, chime in!
p.s. I’m traveling (again) so I’ll hve an upcoming post on Bally’s Fitness Center soon…
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June 2nd, 2009 at 9:53 am
I hate to say it – You made good points, I realize where I stand now. I would say I was an advanced lifter, giving that I was working out since I was 16. Am 24 now, I was very consistent at first; wouldn’t miss a day, invested time in educating myself in all aspects of lifting, wanting to get results in the minimalist amount of time. Now I see I fall in the beginner/intermediate stage. Looking forward to see your take on Ballys, use to be a member.
Good post!
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
If i hadn’t read this, i would of definetly disagree with you. You make good points, giving that i started working out since i was 13,(too young) am 24 now. Back then i was very consistent;(didn’t have much to do, i was in a juvenille correctional facility) at the same time i wasn’t getting anywhere – as i started getting older, i invested time in educating myself in all aspects of fitness. I would say i was an ‘Advanced Lifter’. I see more clearly where i stand now, absolutely not in the ‘Advanced’ stage, i fall in between ‘Beginner/Intermediate’. Inclusive post on defining where you stand, am anticipating your post on Ballys, i used to be a member there.
Postin’ from LA
June 6th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Hey Abraham – thanks for chiming in!