This weeks topic: Beginner Programs/Advice
· We all have that friend who has asked for beginner advice. What program would you put them on?
· What is the best way to start someone off on their journey?
· What recommendations do you have for beginners regarding their nutrition?
· Any other questions/comments regarding the topic.
I don't believe in cookie-cutters for beginners. I find they make for really useful ideal templates, but really atrocious realities. If you can't practice the content of a program properly, the program won't do what it's supposed to do, which optimistically means not getting the goods that the program offers, and pessimistically means an unwarranted trip to snap city. And I'm yet to have a beginner who could do all the exercises I ideally want them to do up front. So we always end up doing simpler variations to scaffold the learning so that they can do what I want them to do in due time.
Meet people where they're at and build up. Prescribe a challenge in every workout that they are capable of achieving, but that they have to reach for. Give really clear coaching and get them to explain to you what they're going to do in each set, to prove that they understand what you're talking about.
On nutrition, most people have really bad starting points, which means that almost any step is a step in the right direction. Discuss with them what will help them get to their goal and lay out a few different options of behaviour changes that will move them in the right direction. Let them make a choice as to which option they'll take, then keep them accountable for it. In a month's time, give them something else to tune up in their diet. Rinse and repeat until they're on point.
Closing comment: Beginner's build muscle, lose fat, gain strength, endurance and flexibility with relative ease. But just because it's easy for them to do more one day than they could the previous day, doesn't mean they should. More isn't always better. Better is better.