Workout Questions

Over the next several days, I'm going to be answering some questions about workouts, specifically related to strength training.

What weight should you use when you first start strength training?

You should start with a weight that you begin to feel challenged at about 10 reps. You want to be doing about 12 reps with a weight and then take a 1 minute period of rest. If you feel that you would not be able to do the last two reps well, then go to a slightly lighter weight until you can do all 12 reps well. I usually recommend that you do 12 reps, 1 minute rest, 12 reps, 1 minute rest and then 24 reps with 2 minutes of rest. You should be able to do this sequence comfortably.