Fitness influencers are everywhere on social media, and the barrage of bite-sized information they provide can be overwhelming. If you want to get stronger — and if you’re like most Americans, you could probably benefit from additional strength — Summit nonoperative sports medicine physician Kersten Schwanz, M.D., has some helpful advice for you. Dr. Schwanz is a strength and conditioning expert who has spent much of her career helping people of all fitness levels reap the benefits of strength and conditioning.
“Strength and conditioning is a buzzword topic that a lot of people have probably heard of,” Dr. Schwanz said. “But at the same time, people generally don’t know much about it, and the idea of starting a strength and conditioning program can be a daunting, scary idea for a lot of people.”
Get ready to get stronger with these tips
Dr. Schwanz shared a few things to keep in mind if you’re ready to start getting stronger.
- Have a plan. Too many people try to “wing it” when it comes to strength and conditioning. Following a structured plan enables you to train in a way that will help you make progress. “We all want to see results, and you have to have a plan in order to do that,” Dr. Schwanz notes.
- Simple is better. While having a plan is key, Dr. Schwanz said, “You don’t need all the bells and whistles of fancy training to see progress.” Start with a structured program that involves a few simple exercises and doesn’t require a bunch of fancy equipment. You can always add gear later, after you have more knowledge and experience.
- Find a reliable source of information. Since anyone with a smartphone can claim to be an expert on any topic, there are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation available online. “It’s important to take advice from someone who is reliable and well-informed, rather than following what’s trending on Instagram or TikTok. “You need to be able to assess whether a given program is right for you, or whether it could potentially put you at a higher risk of injury,” Dr. Schwanz said.
- Don’t give up. “We know that strength training is really good for people. It’s one of the recommendations for physical activity from both the World Health Organization and the American College of Sports Medicine. Yet, it’s underutilized,” Dr. Schwanz noted. While many people focus on aerobic exercise for cardiovascular health, strength training is also a key element of overall fitness.
