q&a
Training Tips and Tricks with Austin Current
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Author of Science of Strength Training
Need to jumpstart your fitness routine? Austin Current, author of Science of Strength Training, is here to offer some of his best tips and tricks for all training levels.
“If you struggle with getting started with this process, remember that starting small and finding something you enjoy is important,” Austin says. “This falls in line with choosing an approach that aligns with your current skill level and goals.”
1
In the foreword you wrote for the book, you say, “When it comes to strength training, also known as resistance training, knowledge is power.” We know knowledge is always power, of course, but what exactly do you mean by that in this instance?
This book aims to break down that barrier, teach you the science behind strength training and how to perform exercises properly (at the gym or at home), and offer clear and straightforward programs for beginners and more advanced trainees alike.
2
What are the top three tips you’d recommend for beginners to get started with strength training exercises?
1. Choose an approach that aligns with your current skill level and goals—One of the hardest parts of any fitness program is the simple act of starting. Choosing an approach that helps you get things started, and keeps you coming back for more, is the most important for long-term success.
2. Exercise technique is a fundamental skill of strength training—Improving the technique of exercises performed improves the overall effectiveness of your time spent in the gym, alongside reducing the risk of injury. Start slow and work to improve with each workout. Practice drives progression.
3. Consistency > perfection—Your time spent in the gym, and in your fitness journey, will be filled with mistakes and setbacks. The most important thing to remember is that the benefits of remaining consistent across your life will outweigh the benefits of being perfect for a couple of weeks.
3
It can be a challenge to turn exercise into a regular fitness routine. What are your recommendations for turning strength training into a sustainable habit?
Creating long-lasting routines and habits ensure you set yourself up for success and perform tasks without having to think much about them. For example, you know after you drop your kids off at school, you drive to the gym and get in a workout with your trainer. The more you do this, the more you will strengthen this bond between the cue (dropping kids off to school) and the goal-action or behavior (going to the gym). At first, this process could be difficult. The more you perform this routine, the habit will form of going to the gym without you having to think twice about it. If you struggle with getting started with this process, remember that starting small and finding something you enjoy is important. This falls in line with choosing an approach that aligns with your current skill level and goals.
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