Notice that ‘strength’ is not Step 1.
To recap:
- Step 1 is to get clear on your goals.
- Step 2 is to find a coach.
- Step 3 is to asses your flexibility & mobility.
Step 4 is to build a foundation of bodyweight strength.
What is bodyweight strength?
It’s the ability to do: push-ups, pull-ups, dips, air-squats, and run, correctly.
There are many variations of these movements. There are also many supplemental exercises that support the development of these movements.
It is possible to train on just these movements for months, or even years, not get bored, and continually get stronger.
In fact you can build quite an impressive body without ever touching a barbell or a dumbbell.
Now, at some point, I do recommend weight lifting. But that is not before you have a good foundation of strength on which to build.
As you get older, you’re probably better off bodyweight training more, and weight training less, progressively.
If you’re fifty years old, and, you can do:
100 squats
100 push-ups
50 pull-ups
50 dips
A mile run in 7 or 8 minutes
You’re a fifty-year old bad ass.