How do I Choose the Best Weight Training Workout?

Choosing the best weight training workout can be a difficult task. Types of weight training that are best for some people are not always best for others. When selecting a training program, it typically is important to consider your body type and the goal of your workouts; for example, do you want to lose weight or build muscle? Ideally, anyone interested in a weight training workout will develop their own workout, either through consultation with a professional personal trainer or independent research in exercise books or magazines.

Training with weights can be an essential step in achieving overall good health. To make proper and effective use of a weight training workout, you will generally need to pursue a course of training that targets the areas of your body that you hope to improve. If weight loss is desired, it is generally considered most effective to concentrate on high-repetition lifts with lower weights, which will increase the number of calories that are burned while burning fat. High-repetition lifts with low weights also work toward building long and lean muscle tone.

In contrast, if building muscle is the primary goal of your weight training program, you may benefit from focusing on higher-weight lifts with fewer repetitions. High-weight and low-rep workouts should usually be undertaken by someone with prior experience lifting weights in order to avoid injury. For optimum achievement in either weight loss or muscle building, changing your workout over time can be beneficial. As the body strengthens, it becomes more comfortable with the exercises being performed; changing exercises, or the number of repetitions, can help the body to continue to develop. Similarly, the amount of weight lifted should be increased over time in order to encourage muscle growth.

Consulting with a professional personal trainer can be an ideal way to begin the weight training workout process. In fact, many gym memberships include a few sessions with a trainer to help you plan a workout and adapt to weight training. These sessions can be of crucial importance and could prove especially beneficial in maximizing your time in the gym. If economically feasible, working with a trainer could help ensure that your workout continues to challenge you as your muscles grow.

Numerous monthly exercise and fitness magazines, as well as workout books, are available to help you develop a weight training workout if working with a trainer exceeds your budget. An informative magazine or book will not only provide exercise tips, but should also include full weight training workouts that can be done at home or at the gym. An exercise magazine could also address what types of food will help you to maximize your workouts when outside of the gym, whether your goal is weight loss or building muscle.