As a beginner, lift weights 2 to 3 times per week, focusing on full-body workouts with 1-3 sets of 8-15 repetitions per exercise, ensuring you rest at least a day in between sessions for muscle recovery and growth. Prioritize proper form over heavy weight, starting light (e.g., 12-15 reps feel challenging) and gradually increasing resistance as you get stronger.
The "5 5 5 30 rule" is a popular, simple morning workout routine popularized by Sahil Bloom, involving 5 push-ups, 5 squats, 5 lunges (per leg), and a 30-second plank done immediately after waking up to build energy, focus, and consistency by kickstarting metabolism and getting blood flowing with minimal time and no equipment. It's designed to overcome inertia, boost physical and mental readiness for the day, and serve as a foundation for better habits, making it ideal for beginners or those needing a quick start.
'The 3-3-3 split is simply three strength sessions, three cardio days and three active recovery days across the week,' says personal trainer Aimee Victoria Long. 'I think it's trending because it feels clear, achievable and balanced – women are craving structure that supports their energy, not drains it. '
The 70/30 rule in fitness suggests that 70% of your physical results (especially weight loss and body composition) come from nutrition and diet, while only 30% comes from exercise (gym workouts), emphasizing that what you eat is far more crucial for changing your physique than just working out, though both are important for overall health and muscle building. It highlights that while the gym breaks down muscles (the 30% effort), the kitchen (the 70%) provides the essential fuel, protein, and rest for them to repair and grow stronger.
The 5/3/1 method, created by Jim Wendler, is a strength training program focusing on four core lifts (squat, bench press, deadlift, overhead press) using a specific rep scheme (5, 3, 1) over a 3-4 week cycle, building strength slowly with progressive overload by increasing training weight (typically 90% of 1RM) and pushing for rep PRs on the final set, followed by assistance exercises for overall muscle growth.
Some of the ways she's lost weight include walking, eating more protein, and medication to help with how her body processes food. Clarkson started some of these changes to her diet and exercise routines when she moved to New York City, where she hosts "The Kelly Clarkson Show."
What kills muscle gains most are poor recovery (lack of sleep, overtraining, high stress/cortisol), insufficient or poor-quality nutrition (not enough protein/carbs, excessive processed foods/sugar/alcohol), and inefficient training (too much cardio, bad form, focusing on isolation over compound lifts). Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which breaks down muscle, while inadequate protein, calories, and sleep directly impede repair and growth, making recovery paramount.
Stage 1 overtraining symptoms include:
In other words 3x10 is generally considered better for hypertrophy but if you compare it to someone who does 5x5 and hits the same muscle 3x a week, that other person will not only develop more strength but more than likely put on more mass as their volume is significantly higher.
The 5x5 method's simplicity can be a drawback for those with busy schedules. The extended rest periods between sets and the focus on compound exercises can make each workout session longer than desired. If you have limited time to dedicate to your fitness routine, the 5x5 method may not be the most efficient choice.
Studies show that 30-minute workouts actually provide the same benefits as sessions twice as long. In a study from the University of Copenhagen, researchers found that those who exercise for 30 minutes a day lose the same amount of body mass as those who exercise for an hour a day.
Women should start with dumbbells that weigh between 2 kg and 5 kg, and men should start with dumbbells that weigh between 5 kg and 10 kg. You can build basic power with these weights because they have the right amount of resistance and control.
Research suggests that protein powder for beginners can significantly improve strength and muscle size with a proper exercise regimen. Both men and women benefited from protein supplementation.
Typically, beginners need more rest days than those who have been exercising consistently for at least 6 months. New exercise causes changes in your muscle cells, like microscopic damage. That's why postworkout muscle soreness is common when you start your fitness journey or return after a long break.
The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, suggests that 80% of your workouts should be at a moderate intensity, while the remaining 20% should be high intensity. This approach allows for consistent training with reduced risk of overtraining, ensuring that you can maintain your fitness journey sustainably.
It Actually Takes a Lot Longer Than You'd Think to Lose Muscle From Not Working Out. In other words, relax—a week or two off when you're sick or traveling isn't a dealbreaker.
This could lead to physical signs of over-exercising, such as:
Age. As you age, it becomes more challenging to build muscle. After age 30, muscle mass naturally declines, making it harder to gain power and strength.
One study found that untrained (beginner) males who participated in resistance training five times a week increased their lean muscle mass an average of 2 kilograms per month, or roughly 4.4lbs (1).
10 Foods to Increase Muscle Strength
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Adele lost significant weight over two years through intense, consistent exercise (strength training, Pilates, hiking, boxing) and focusing on nutrition, driven by managing anxiety, rather than a specific diet, though she denied intermittent fasting or the Sirtfood diet despite reports. She worked with trainers, built muscle through weights, and exercised multiple times a day, prioritizing overall strength and well-being, not just weight loss, and stressed the importance of mental health in her journey, according to People.com and Vogue.
Kelly Osbourne looks unrecognizable due to her significant weight loss (around 85 lbs) from gastric sleeve surgery in 2018, combined with new hairstyles, fuller lips (likely fillers/overlining), Botox, and a general "glow-up," leading fans to note she now resembles her mother, Sharon, more than ever, a change highlighted by recent viral videos where grief from losing her father also impacted her look.