These sample weight training programs are designed to develop basic, functional strength. For more sample weight training programs designed to meet other objectives (such as increased muscles mass, maximal strength, explosive power or strength endurance) see the main strength training section.
A phase of basic strength training is important for adapting the body for more strenuous, subsequent weight training. It aims to balance the body's musculature by working most or all of the major muscle groups and prepares tendons, ligaments and joints helping to reduce the risk of injury later on.
Recall from the sport-specific approach to weight training programs that this basic strength phase should precede maximal strength training, hypertrophy training and explosive power training. This is important even for experienced strength-trained athletes as the nature of competitive sport places uneven stresses on the body...
The basic strength phase aims to balance strength between the two sides of the body. Racket sports for example, place greater strain on the shoulder and arm muscles of one side of the body for example. Soccer players usually have a predominant kicking foot.
It also aims to restore correct balance between the flexors and extensors (such as the hamstrings and quadriceps for example. The table below gives an approximate guideline to the balance of strength between various muscle groups.
Core strength training should be a major focus of "basic strength" weight training programs. This involves working the abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and other muscle groups supporting the spinal column and hip girdle. Weak core muscles may be associated with injury, and are more likely to occur when training becomes more demanding.
The length of basic strength weight training programs depends on the experience of the athlete and also the importance of strength to their particular sport. Inexperienced athletes should follow a program such as the samples below for 8-10 weeks. This helps to ensure their bodies are fully prepared for more intense training.
Experienced athletes require only weeks of basic strength training and any longer may lead to an undesirable detraining effect. However, as short as this phase may be it should not be skipped for the reasons outlined above.
Weight training programs for basic strength should be completed in the early part of the preparatory phase, often called early pre-season. However, for athletes with little or no strength training experience this basic strength phase may need to start in the off season or transition period.
Because basic strength training should work most major muscle groups, a circuit training format is ideal. It alternates between muscle groups allowing a quicker recovery and a greater number of exercises to be completed. Circuit training does not have to incorporate an aerobic or cardiovascular element. It simply refers to the organization of exercises and in fact, for our purposes, a circuit training program should consist only of resistance exercises.
A wide range of equipment can be used for these circuit-style weight training programs, including bodyweight resistance bands, medicine balls, dumbbells and barbells.
The parameters for resistance, sets and repetitions are covered in the table below:
Exercises should be set up so that a muscle group is not worked on two consecutive exercises. A simple format to follow is to alternate between the upper body and lower body or total body / upper body / lower body / core exercise for example.
Inexperienced lifters should start with body weight exercises and progress to free weights. If free weights are used the resistances should start off low to moderate (see the table above) and gradually progress towards the end of the program.
Most athletes will move on to one of the maximal strength training programs following this basic strength phase. It's important that there isn't too big a jump in resistance from the end of basic strength training to the start of maximal strength training.
Sample Weight Training Programs for Basic Strength
The following sample weight training programs should follow the parameters in the table above. Exercises should be completed in the sequences set out.
Program 1 - Bodyweight Exercises
Burpees
Push ups
Lunges
Crunches
Box step up with knee drive
Pull ups
Alternating split squats
Supermans
See the circuit training exercises article and abdominal exercises article for exercise descriptions.
Program 2 - Medicine Balls & Resistance Bands
Medicine ball lunge cross over
Resistance band lateral rows
Medicine ball oblique crunches
Resistance band squats
Medicine ball kneel to push ups
Resistance band lunges
Medicine ball reverse curls
Resistance band bent over rows
Medicine ball single leg chops
Resistance band biceps curls
See the medicine ball exercises article and resistance band exercises article for exercise descriptions.
Program 3 - Free weights
Dumbbell squats
Bench presses
V sit ups
Deadlifts (light weight)
Bent over rows
Back extensions
Lunges
Seated dumbbell shoulder presses
Russian twists with dumbbell
Calf raises
The weight training programs could also be combined taking various exercises from each.