Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced?

Max. Q · 12-05-2002, 10:23 AM

How does a bodybuilder know when they have progressed from a beginner to intermediate level of exercise? Basically, what says it's okay to try an intermediate or advance level workout routine?

Twin Peak · 12-05-2002, 11:04 AM

Benching under 200 is beginner.

Between 200 and 350 is intermediate.

350+ is advanced.

In all seriousness, there is no gold standard. Besides, when someone calls such and such an "intermediate" workout what does that really mean?

People can and do debate optimal workouts anyway.

Bottom line. Newbies should start with the basics. Keeps sets and reps relatively low, and IMO, train each bodypart frequently.

As you learn muscle control and the mind-muscle connection (you can FEEL the muscle work -- including your lats) you want to train less frequently with slightly more work.

As you get more advanced you want to switch up routines every other month or so too.

As you get more advanced and you learn to train with real intensity (see DVLMS's sig for my definition thereof) you will want to further decrease frequency AND decrease volume AND continually increase intensity.

That's my opinion.

Scotty the Body · 12-05-2002, 11:16 AM

Couldn't have said it any better Twin P!

Twin Peak · 12-05-2002, 11:22 AM

Really? So how much do you bench?

**Prince** · 12-05-2002, 11:39 AM

I have been advanced my whole life, never a beginner.

Scotty the Body · 12-05-2002, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Twin Peak
Really? So how much do you bench?

I'm an intermediate, probably always will be, Geez 350lb,
Do I look like Gopro or somethin!

Twin Peak · 12-05-2002, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scotty the Body
I'm an intermediate, probably always will be, Geez 350lb,
Do I look like Gopro or somethin!

GoPro ain't the only one topping 350.

Scotty the Body · 12-05-2002, 11:48 AM

Your a monster TP!!

Maybe one day, I've got a good chest but benching just doesn't seem to be my strong point, I'm more of a deadlift man.

Twin Peak · 12-05-2002, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scotty the Body
Your a monster TP!!

Maybe one day, I've got a good chest but benching just doesn't seem to be my strong point, I'm more of a deadlift man.

Who says I was talking about me? There are plenty of big mofos around here.

My dead is relatively weak. I can maybe dead 50-60 more pounds than my bench.

**Prince** · 12-05-2002, 11:59 AM

I have never been too concerned with how much weight I can move, just the way I look in the mirror.

Scotty the Body · 12-05-2002, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Twin Peak
My dead is relatively weak. I can maybe dead 50-60 more pounds than my bench.

My max bench is probably around 285, I haven't tried a one rep max in years but my 2 rep max on deads is 505 so there is a big difference on that for me.

Twin Peak · 12-05-2002, 12:03 PM

Is that why all your mirrors are those fun house mirrors that make you look really big?

Rusty · 12-05-2002, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prince
I have been advanced my whole life, never a beginner.

yeh but what about your lifting?.........he he he
Thats a joke, I've seen your pics.

Twin Peak · 12-05-2002, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scotty the Body
My max bench is probably around 285, I haven't tried a one rep max in years but my 2 rep max on deads is 505 so there is a big difference on that for me.

HOLY SHIT!

I maxed bench yesterday for the first time in 4 years. I nailed 405 but missed 420. Two weeks ago I deadlifted 445 twice w/o straps.

Whose the freak -- you or me?

Scotty the Body · 12-05-2002, 02:19 PM

You!

Twin Peak · 12-05-2002, 02:22 PM

Could be.

**Jodi** · 12-05-2002, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Benching under 200 is beginner.

What about for women! I don't think I'll ever bench to 200 lbs.

**Prince** · 12-05-2002, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Twin Peak
Benching under 200 is beginner.

Between 200 and 350 is intermediate.

350+ is advanced.

In all seriousness, there is no gold standard. Besides, when someone calls such and such an "intermediate" workout what does that really mean?

you all do realize that he was joking, right?

Scotty the Body · 12-05-2002, 02:40 PM

Its no joke Prince, didn't you get the memo??

Twin Peak · 12-05-2002, 02:43 PM

Okay refined version.

Less than your bodyweight = beginner
Bodyweight to 1.5 times bodyweight intermediate
1.5 - 2 times bodyweight advanced
2X and up = Superhuman

Kidding? Who was kidding?

**Prince** · 12-05-2002, 02:47 PM

there is no objective measure for beginner, intermediate or advanced lifter.

you could base it on strength, size, or experience, but even then how could you come up with a formula?

Twin Peak · 12-05-2002, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prince
there is no objective measure for beginner, intermediate or advanced lifter.

you could base it on strength, size, or experience, but even then how could you come up with a formula?

Oh, good point. I retract everything I said.

Except the sarcastic stuff.

Scotty the Body · 12-05-2002, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Twin Peak
Okay refined version.

Less than your bodyweight = beginner
Bodyweight to 1.5 times bodyweight intermediate
1.5 - 2 times bodyweight advanced
2X and up = Superhuman

Kidding? Who was kidding?

True, there is no exact formula but I think this is probably as close to one as your going to get.

Twin Peak · 12-05-2002, 03:04 PM

Someday soon I'll be superhuman!

**Prince** · 12-05-2002, 03:08 PM

Dr. Pain · 12-05-2002, 05:54 PM

This is extremely difficult to articulate..........

The divisions are not "clear cut".....and can not be measured in time or dues (some people can't even get out of their own way after 20 years of training)

II's a continuum....a constant progression of learning. Learning about "form, function, and structure"....how to form the Mind-Muscle connnection. How to contract, stretch and manipulate one's musculature as Sculptor would sculpt.

Once ego is cast aside or checked at the door, a person basically knows where the have been (prospective).......where the are going....and at what level they are at!

DP

12-05-2002, 10:23 AM	#1
Max. Q Capricorn Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: California, USA Posts: 630	Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced? How does a bodybuilder know when they have progressed from a beginner to intermediate level of exercise? Basically, what says it's okay to try an intermediate or advance level workout routine?

12-05-2002, 11:04 AM	#2
Twin Peak Peak Physiques™ Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NY Posts: 7,870	Benching under 200 is beginner. Between 200 and 350 is intermediate. 350+ is advanced. In all seriousness, there is no gold standard. Besides, when someone calls such and such an "intermediate" workout what does that really mean? People can and do debate optimal workouts anyway. Bottom line. Newbies should start with the basics. Keeps sets and reps relatively low, and IMO, train each bodypart frequently. As you learn muscle control and the mind-muscle connection (you can FEEL the muscle work -- including your lats) you want to train less frequently with slightly more work. As you get more advanced you want to switch up routines every other month or so too. As you get more advanced and you learn to train with real intensity (see DVLMS's sig for my definition thereof) you will want to further decrease frequency AND decrease volume AND continually increase intensity. That's my opinion.
	www.DesignerSupps.com INTELLIGENT DESIGN™...lands on 1/1/2007 www.intelligentdesignmag.com

12-05-2002, 11:16 AM	#3
Scotty the Body I'm Dead Sexxxxy!! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 4,970	Couldn't have said it any better Twin P! Last edited by Scotty the Body : 12-05-2002 at 11:43 AM.
	Cool

12-05-2002, 11:22 AM	#4
Twin Peak Peak Physiques™ Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NY Posts: 7,870	Really? So how much do you bench?
	www.DesignerSupps.com INTELLIGENT DESIGN™...lands on 1/1/2007 www.intelligentdesignmag.com

12-05-2002, 11:39 AM	#5
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 34,003 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	I have been advanced my whole life, never a beginner.
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System. Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL (CEE) On Sale $17.49 per bottle!

12-05-2002, 11:48 AM	#8
Scotty the Body I'm Dead Sexxxxy!! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 4,970	Your a monster TP!! Maybe one day, I've got a good chest but benching just doesn't seem to be my strong point, I'm more of a deadlift man.
	Cool

12-05-2002, 11:59 AM	#10
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 34,003 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	I have never been too concerned with how much weight I can move, just the way I look in the mirror.
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System. Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL (CEE) On Sale $17.49 per bottle!

12-05-2002, 12:03 PM	#12
Twin Peak Peak Physiques™ Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NY Posts: 7,870	Is that why all your mirrors are those fun house mirrors that make you look really big?
	www.DesignerSupps.com INTELLIGENT DESIGN™...lands on 1/1/2007 www.intelligentdesignmag.com

12-05-2002, 02:19 PM	#15
Scotty the Body I'm Dead Sexxxxy!! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 4,970	You!
	Cool

12-05-2002, 02:22 PM	#16
Twin Peak Peak Physiques™ Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NY Posts: 7,870	Could be.
	www.DesignerSupps.com INTELLIGENT DESIGN™...lands on 1/1/2007 www.intelligentdesignmag.com

12-05-2002, 02:40 PM	#19
Scotty the Body I'm Dead Sexxxxy!! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 4,970	Its no joke Prince, didn't you get the memo??
	Cool

12-05-2002, 02:43 PM	#20
Twin Peak Peak Physiques™ Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NY Posts: 7,870	Okay refined version. Less than your bodyweight = beginner Bodyweight to 1.5 times bodyweight intermediate 1.5 - 2 times bodyweight advanced 2X and up = Superhuman Kidding? Who was kidding?
	www.DesignerSupps.com INTELLIGENT DESIGN™...lands on 1/1/2007 www.intelligentdesignmag.com

12-05-2002, 02:47 PM	#21
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 34,003 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	there is no objective measure for beginner, intermediate or advanced lifter. you could base it on strength, size, or experience, but even then how could you come up with a formula?
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System. Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL (CEE) On Sale $17.49 per bottle!

12-05-2002, 03:04 PM	#24
Twin Peak Peak Physiques™ Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NY Posts: 7,870	Someday soon I'll be superhuman!
	www.DesignerSupps.com INTELLIGENT DESIGN™...lands on 1/1/2007 www.intelligentdesignmag.com

12-05-2002, 03:08 PM	#25
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 34,003 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System. Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL (CEE) On Sale $17.49 per bottle!

12-05-2002, 05:54 PM	#26
Dr. Pain Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Get the Duct Tape...I'm Ripped Again! Posts: 11,239	This is extremely difficult to articulate.......... The divisions are not "clear cut".....and can not be measured in time or dues (some people can't even get out of their own way after 20 years of training) II's a continuum....a constant progression of learning. Learning about "form, function, and structure"....how to form the Mind-Muscle connnection. How to contract, stretch and manipulate one's musculature as Sculptor would sculpt. Once ego is cast aside or checked at the door, a person basically knows where the have been (prospective).......where the are going....and at what level they are at! DP Last edited by Dr. Pain : 12-05-2002 at 05:57 PM.

12-05-2002, 05:55 PM	#27
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 34,003 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320