People who aren't good at their jobs often blame their tools. This analogy might not be so far off when it comes to working out, either.
Having the right demands on your body and giving your body the right fuel is what makes a muscle plan work. Use the right tools to match your body type, workout routine, and goals.
The great debate
There are some things you should never do with tools that don't work well with your needs and abilities. When you use tools in the right way, you get a great workout! Both dumbbells and barbells can help you build strength and muscle, but what works best for you may not work for someone else.
A lot of people start out with dumbbells, and I usually tell them to start out with them. A safe way to improve coordination and balance is to hold the weights in each hand at the same time. Before you use barbells, you can learn how to use weights in a way that is right for you.
People who start exercising with dumbbells also use them to avoid or correct imbalances in their strength. You can then adjust your body to the best way to work out.
When you start lifting heavier weights, I usually tell people to switch to barbells instead. When it comes to working your legs, they are much less heavy and more practical. They are also great for supporting your progress as you add small amounts of weight. Barbells can also be used for heavy-duty exercises like squats and deadlifts, which can be good for some goals.
The right tools are important.
It's important to remember that it's not the tools that make a training plan work or not work. An effective and long-term training plan is based on both theory and math.
As with a fat loss plan, which tools are best for you will depend on what you need.
Some people might say that you need to lift huge weights under your squat or with your deadlift to get results. People who do a lot of heavy dumbbell lunges or Bulgarian split squats often have more trouble with them. Choose the right tools for you.
No more comparing
I always tell people to pay attention to their own health and not pay attention to the noise around them. It's not about comparing yourself to other people when it comes to getting fit and having good results, but many people do.
High carb vs. low carb: People who do LISS and people who do HIIT do different things with their weights. Again, it's about what is best for you. With yourself, the only competition you should take part in should be to see how far you can go and become the best at what you do on your own.
Decide on what works for you and don't compare yourself to anyone else or their workout. Use everything that could help you, work as hard as you can, and you're on the home stretch.
