Introduction to strength training

When people think of strength training, they often picture bodybuilders working out at the gym. But strength training is accessible and effective to do at home, too—you just need to know what you’re doing. Whether you’ve got weight equipment, a few dumbbells, or just your own body weight, there are plenty of strength training exercises you can do starting right now. Keep reading to kickstart your strength training regime.

What is strength training?

Also known as resistance training, strength training is any exercise in which your body is moving against a form of resistance: resistance bands, exercise machines, free weights, or even your own body weight. Because its so versatile, strength training is one of the most popular types of exercise. It’s also popular because of the many benefits, which include building muscle, burning fat, and improving overall fitness and endurance. You do not need to be ultra-strong to have an effective strength workout—but you will notice yourself becoming stronger after a few weeks of regular exercise.

Benefits of strength training

Yes, your strength will improve, but there are a wide variety of benefits to a dedicated strength training programme, including:

Build muscle mass
Grow stronger, which makes other types of exercise that much easier
Improve cardiovascular and bone health, among other areas
Burn fat and calories
Improve overall fitness, including flexibility, balance, and endurance

The best strength training exercises for beginners

We’re going to assume you have some free weights on hand, such as dumbbells and barbells. However, most of these exercise can be done on their own, just using your own body weight if need. To make things easier, we’ve split them into two lists: exercises we recommend combining with free weights, and exercise that work fine without any equipment at all. Click each exercise to view our detailed, step-by-step guide on how to execute it safely and effectively. And don’t forget to warm up first!

Strength training: weights and resistance bands

Strength training: bodyweight exercises

Want to learn more?

There is a huge variety of strength training exercises out there, each one targeting a slightly different set of muscles. If you’re looking for some more tailored direction, get in touch with the friendly personal trainers at your local Gym. They’ll be happy to craft a workout plan to help you achieve your unique fitness goals.