Build a Routine 101

Fitness is all about building good habits. Let’s get to it!

Step 1: Put My Routine on Your Phone

Step 2: Getting Started

Step 3: Get to Work!

Step 1: Put My Routine on Your Phone

Download the Hevy app and create an account. Then pick one of my routines and import the workouts:

Step 2: Getting Started

This is the toughest part. You have two goals:

  1. Try out the exercises and learn the “right” form

  2. Log the “right” weights for each exercise

Don’t worry. Your form won’t be perfect at first. The starting weight doesn’t need to be perfect either.

First, start a workout in the Hevy app. Try every exercise and experiment with different weights.

  • Start easy - use a light weight and do 5 reps

  • Increase the weight until you find a weight that you can rep 8x with moderate difficulty

  • Log the weight in the app

Repeat the above steps with each workout in my routine.

Step 3: Get to Work!

Plan Your Week

  • Each week, pick 2-4 days that you want to lift. Alternate the workouts.

Tasks for Each Workout

  • Warm up. Then start the workout in the Hevy app.

  • Rep Ranges - in my routines, I assign a rep range per set for each exercise

    • 8-12 reps is the default: 8 reps min, 12 reps max

    • 4-6 reps is used to build strength: 4 reps min, 6 reps max

  • Aim for max reps each set, but DON’T SACRIFICE GOOD FORM. End your set if you start to break form.

  • Log your progress - input the weight and reps, and click the check mark

Gameplan for Your Next Workout

  • Increase the weight if you completed all sets of max reps

  • Decrease the weight if you couldn’t perform the min reps

FAQ

  • You’ll need access to basic gym equipment:

    • Dumbbells

    • Bench

    • Cable Machines

  • A rep is short for repetition and refers to the number of times you perform an exercise

    A set is a group of reps you perform before resting

    • For example, if I perform 2 sets of 10 pushups (2x10), I will do 10 pushups, rest, then do another 10 pushups

    For exercises that you alternate right and left (biceps curls)

    • 1 rep on each side counts as 1 total rep

    For single limb exercises (bent over one arm row)

    • 1 set on each side counts as 1 total set

  • The answer varies depending on the workout.

    For this Lifting 101 routine, 1-2 minutes

  • One dumbbell

    For barbells, log the total weight

  • Perform your first exercise with lower weights for 1-2 sets

    If it’s extra cold that day, you can also use a cardio machine to get your heart rate up first:

    • Walk on an inclined treadmill

    • Row machine

    • Cycle

  • The colors group the exercises into supersets and tri-sets.

    Supersets are 2 back-to-back exercises, and tri-sets are 3 back-to-back exercises

    • For example, 2 supersets of the bench press and bent over one arm rows mean you first bench, then immediately do your rows, rest, and repeat

    These are useful for saving time and improving cardio. If you don’t want to do them, don’t worry. Just ignore the colors and go through the exercises one-by-one

  • First, achieve these goals:

    • Lift 4x a week

    • Increase sets from 2 to 3 for each exercise

    • Show a meaningful increase in the weights you’re using from the start of the program

    Once you’ve achieved the above goals, reach out to me and I’ll help you set new goals

Questions?

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Climber’s Lifting 101

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Lifting 101