In discussions of articles programs and techniques here, people will say “that’s not for beginners” or “that’s for advanced bodybuilders,” etc.
So what is the definition of beginner, intermediate and advanced, for the purpose of determining which articles & advice applies to me?
I’ve been lifting regularly and reading this site for less than a year, so I don’t view myself as advanced. But many of the questions in the Beginners section seem pretty “newbie” to me (how do I get a six pack?) Does that make me an intemediate? But my bench press is well under 200 pounds. Does that make me a beginner? Or is the poundage really relevant?
[quote]dancar wrote:
In discussions of articles programs and techniques here, people will say “that’s not for beginners” or “that’s for advanced bodybuilders,” etc.
So what is the definition of beginner, intermediate and advanced, for the purpose of determining which articles & advice applies to me?
I’ve been lifting regularly and reading this site for less than a year, so I don’t view myself as advanced. But many of the questions in the Beginners section seem pretty “newbie” to me (how do I get a six pack?) Does that make me an intemediate? But my bench press is well under 200 pounds. Does that make me a beginner? Or is the poundage really relevant?
[/quote]
There are people who have been training for 20 years who would still qualify as “beginners” to many people. If you have been training for years and only gained 3lbs and haven’t yet figured out what even half way works for strength and growth, you are a beginner. It doesn’t matter how LONG someone has trained. It is about results and knowledge. This is something those who have seen little in the way of results hate to acknowledge.
I have seen people on this site act as if they are “advanced” because they can quote every author’s philosophy by heart. Meanwhile, they themselves are still small and weak.
Bodybuilding and strength training is the one area where the knowledge is in the RESULTS. This will forever piss off those who only specialize in theory.
You are a beginner as long as you are following everyone else’s view without a clear view of your own as far as what works for you.
You are an intermediate when you begin to figure out what works and have made enough progress to prove that.
You are advanced when people look up to you for knowledge based on your results and when you pass up the majority of even the big strong guys.