Measure of Strength

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I am getting a buddy here at work started on a weight lifting program. I've already broken down the basics for him such focusing on compound lifts, eating a good diet, and taking the right supplements. He was a bit concerned at first about not having bicep curls in the routine, but he now understands why that would be a waste of time.

He asked me what the measure of a truly strong individual was. I explained that was obviously relative as well as subjective, but he is a newb and I think it is very important to have some set goals in mind. So I went with it. I told him that generally speaking, once you eclipse the 1,000-pound mark in the 3 powerlifting exercises (squat, bench press, deadlift) then you have arrived. I told him that he certainly wouldn't be setting any world records with that number, but he would be much stronger than the average person.

What do you guys think?

 

[djeclipse]

I am getting a buddy here at work started on a weight lifting program. I've already broken down the basics for him such focusing on compound lifts, eating a good diet, and taking the right supplements. He was a bit concerned at first about not having bicep curls in the routine, but he now understands why that would be a waste of time.

He asked me what the measure of a truly strong individual was. I explained that was obviously relative as well as subjective, but he is a newb and I think it is very important to have some set goals in mind. So I went with it. I told him that generally speaking, once you eclipse the 1,000-pound mark in the 3 powerlifting exercises (squat, bench press, deadlift) then you have arrived. I told him that he certainly wouldn't be setting any world records with that number, but he would be much stronger than the average person.

What do you guys think?

It depends on the individual person as far as goals go. strength can be relative to the individual.

Some people are naturally strong and can already eclipse some people that have been training for a while as far as the lifts go. For someone like this, that 1000lb mark may not be far off and may be a great goal.

Others struggle to bench or even squat 135lbs. For those people that 1000lb mark is a pretty long term goal.

In any matter that 1000lb mark is a pretty good goal to say "you've now arrived".

But for short term, it's nice to add even 50lbs to any lift, or another plate. So for goals if he is benching, squatting etc. 200, the goal of 250 is a good start, and then 300, then 3 plates and so on. Short term goals help keep you motovated and focused on the long term bench marks.

 

[PoweredUp]

It depends on the individual person as far as goals go. strength can be relative to the individual.

Some people are naturally strong and can already eclipse some people that have been training for a while as far as the lifts go. For someone like this, that 1000lb mark may not be far off and may be a great goal.

Others struggle to bench or even squat 135lbs. For those people that 1000lb mark is a pretty long term goal.

In any matter that 1000lb mark is a pretty good goal to say "you've now arrived".

But for short term, it's nice to add even 50lbs to any lift, or another plate. So for goals if he is benching, squatting etc. 200, the goal of 250 is a good start, and then 300, then 3 plates and so on. Short term goals help keep you motovated and focused on the long term bench marks.

True. I kind of set the 1,000-pound benchmark as a long term goal, but after we go through his first workout on Monday then I'll see what sort of short term goals we can set. I'm going to start him on the Rippetoe routine...

 

[djeclipse]

True. I kind of set the 1,000-pound benchmark as a long term goal, but after we go through his first workout on Monday then I'll see what sort of short term goals we can set. I'm going to start him on the Rippetoe routine...

Nice.

Keep us updated.