Newbie gains refer to the rapid muscle mass increases observed in individuals with minimal or no prior weightlifting experience when they commence lifting weights.
Are you new to weightlifting or eager to build muscle mass but feeling uncertain about where to begin? Don’t worry, because as a beginner, you have a significant advantage when it comes to making substantial muscle gains. This advantage is known as “beginner gains” or “newbie gains,” which refers to the ability of new lifters to build larger muscles at a faster rate compared to more experienced lifters. If you’re just starting out with weightlifting, here’s everything you need to know about newbie gains and the common mistakes to avoid that can hinder your progress.
What Are Newbie Gains
“Newbie gains” denote the significant and sudden enhancements in strength and muscle size experienced by individuals who are new to weightlifting or are in the early stages of their lifting journey. Beyond mastering proper form, the initial strength gains establish a solid foundation. It’s recommended during this phase to lift at around 80% of your maximum capacity to concurrently build strength and muscle mass. Furthermore, the “newbie” phase typically spans no more than three months, thus it’s crucial to avoid common mistakes while sweating it out in the gym.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building Muscle
Neglecting Major Muscle Groups
It’s true that many men aspire to develop impressive biceps and chest muscles, but when initiating a lifting regimen, prioritizing training larger muscle groups like the back and legs is essential. Why focus on these areas? Firstly, they form the core foundation of our physique, contributing to a balanced and aesthetic appearance, especially with a well-defined V-tapered back. Neglecting these muscles could lead to an imbalance and less aesthetic overall physique. Secondly, since legs constitute a significant portion of the body, overlooking them initially might result in disproportionate development, often referred to as “chicken legs.” Additionally, targeting large muscle groups naturally engages smaller muscles and facilitates calorie burning, contributing to overall fitness and physique development.
Neglecting Compound Movements
The initial phase presents an ideal opportunity to master compound movements and maximize their benefits. Compound movements involve multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Exercises like squats, chest presses, deadlifts, and overhead shoulder presses are prime examples, engaging both primary and secondary muscle groups. The advantages of incorporating compound lifts into your routine are manifold. Firstly, they enhance overall strength, aiding performance in other exercises. Secondly, they stimulate multiple muscles concurrently, optimizing efficiency. Thirdly, they promote muscle protein synthesis, expediting recovery. Lastly, as a newcomer to these exercises, there’s a high probability of significant gains with minimal errors.
Bulking and cutting phases
When starting out, the primary focus should be on building consistency in your workout routine. While bulking and cutting are concepts often emphasized in bodybuilding, especially among professionals aiming to optimize muscle gain and fat loss, for beginners, the key is to establish a consistent regimen. By gradually increasing weights in each exercise over time, you’ll begin to observe changes in your body and progress towards your fitness goals.
Becoming overly fixated on weightlifting
Starting a lifting routine can lead to becoming fixated solely on the pump, overlooking other crucial aspects. To achieve overall fitness, it’s essential to balance weightlifting with cardio. Incorporating cardio helps enhance metabolism, fostering greater muscle growth. Additionally, prioritize warming up before diving into workouts and cooling down afterward. These practices optimize performance and promote muscle recovery.
Avoiding Ego Lifting
It’s common for lifters to crave recognition for their strength by pushing the limits with heavy weights. However, this pursuit often leads to ego lifting, where form and technique are sacrificed. Many gym injuries stem from this practice. It’s important to prioritize proper form over lifting the heaviest weights. Start by lifting at 60% to 80% of your maximum capacity, adjusting based on how you feel. Even without going heavy, your body will respond to the new lifting stimulus, resulting in gains.