Are you looking to build muscle mass, increase strength, or tone your body? Personal trainer Michael Lawrence believes that strength training is the answer. According to Lawrence, building your body through strength training involves a combination of exercises, nutrition, and recovery.
In order to achieve your fitness goals, Lawrence advises setting SMART goals – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timebound. By having clear goals, you can tailor your training plan to meet your desired outcomes.
When designing a strength training programme, Lawrence recommends opting for a split routine that involves full-body workouts, training all major muscle groups in one session three times a week, and dividing your training into upper body and lower body workouts four times a week. He suggests focusing on pushing movements, pulling movements, and leg exercises on separate days, incorporating compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, pull-ups/rows, and overhead presses to target multiple muscle groups simultaneously.
In addition to compound exercises, Lawrence suggests adding isolation exercises to achieve balance and symmetry by focusing on individual muscle groups. Gradually increasing the weight you lift, adding sets or reps, or reducing rest time between sets can help to add intensity to your workouts and challenge your muscles.
Proper form is crucial in strength training to avoid injury and ensure that the target muscles are engaged. Alongside exercise, proper nutrition is essential for muscle repair and growth. Lawrence recommends aiming for 1.2-2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily and including sources of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and sufficient energy for workouts.
Above all, consistency is key in building muscle and strength. Lawrence emphasizes the importance of staying dedicated to your routine and staying motivated to achieve your fitness goals. With the right combination of exercises, nutrition, and dedication, you can build the body you desire through strength training.
