How important is strength work?

How important is strength work when you are starting out?

It depends of course but the main thing when starting out is to increase your activity level.

Strength work is highly important for your long term health.

But what’s more important is to find a physical activity / movement that you like the experience of and value the benefits off. The main thing is to be consistent.

So whether strength work is part of the initial strategy or not is not a big deal.

But eventually I would recommend introducing strength work in to your strategy.

Introducing strength work.

What should you think about when introducing strength work into your strategy? I will list a few things to keep in mind. And remember that the key aspect here is to find a strategy that you can be consistent with.

• Use lighter resistance or load and a higher number of reps in the beginning. I would recomend 12-14 reps. This is becaus we want to slowly condition your body so that you get a robust foundation for later.
• 20 min is enough. To go longer is fine too but not a nessesity in the beginning. Almost not later down the line to but I wont go into those details in this post.
• Mindset can be a obstacle for you. It can either tell you that you need to do more for it to be done properly or that you dont have time for this and you prioritise other things in stead. ( which is fine by the way, but im writing form the perspective that you want to do things that will help your longterm resilient and health.
• 2 times a week minimum, 3 is ideal. Less wont trigger the adaptations in the muscles as well. More is not nessesary unless strength work is your thing and sport.
• Dont rush the process you can stay in this conditioning phase for 12 weeks plus.

Allright, I will end it here. Have a nice rest of the day or evening whenever you are reading this.

Ellen