Two Simple Loading Strategies That Build Real Strength
Most people walk into the gym and guess what weight to lift. The problem is that guessing rarely leads to consistent results. Learn two simple loading strategies—linear loading and step loading—that help build strength, increase muscle, and create long-term progress through structured, intelligent training.
The Goldilocks Weight: Not Too Heavy, Not Too Light, Just Right
One of the things I've noticed after years of coaching people in the gym is that most people struggle to choose the right weight. Some people are constantly trying to lift more than they're capable of. Others never challenge themselves enough. Both groups end up frustrated because neither approach leads to consistent long-term progress.
The reality is that strength training works best when the weight is somewhere in the middle. Heavy enough to challenge you. Light enough to control.
Training vs Testing: Why Most People Are Slowing Down Their Strength Progress
Walk into almost any gym and you’ll see the same thing happening. Someone loads up the bar as heavy as possible, grinds through ugly reps, loses position, shortens the range of motion, and walks away believing they had a “great session” because the weight was heavy.
This is one of the biggest mistakes in strength training that a lot of people are making.
At first, this approach often works. Strength goes up quickly. Confidence builds. The numbers on the bar increase.
But eventually progress slows down.
Nagging shoulder pain appears. Knees start aching. Lower backs tighten up. Recovery becomes harder. Motivation drops. Technique breaks down.
And most people never stop to ask the question:
Am I actually training… or am I just testing myself every session?