Fitness Programs? are they worth the price?

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david_loves_boats

New member
Hey everyone!

Hope everyone is doing well! I'm seeking some advice I'm 39 years old, Gym 4 days a week on evenings between 5pm - 7pm. I have some knowledge but I feel like I don't get much progress, I was thinking of trying a program to see if I can get some different results. My current weight is 210lbs, 5'11 height I have more of a pear shape body (smaller on top and bigger below) I some what have a diet/workout plan that I use, but I think my body has gotten used to it and I'm not seeing much results.

So I was thinking of try one of these fitness programs or personal training. e.g Joey sowll stuff like that

Any advice I would greatly appreciate

thanks!
 
@david_loves_boats Are you talking about buying a program from a fitness influencer? If so, they are rarely worth the money.

You are much better off choosing one of the many free programs from the Fitness Wiki which have actually been tested and proven to work. If you want someone to guide you and help you with form, seek a trainer who is local to you and can work with you in-person.

Most fitfluencers sell crap programs at inflated prices.
 
@david_loves_boats There's lots of great programs out there, including so many free ones that you wouldn't have to purchase one ever if you didn't want. The r/fitness wiki and the r/weightroom program review archive have a ton.

I have however bought a few from some whose style I wanted to try, which have been completely worth it. Again, they were unnecessary however.
 
@david_loves_boats It doesn't really matter. All good programs yield about the same results. That link has all the program reviews on reddit analyzed and ranked, so see if something catches your eye.

My personal recommendation would be GZCLP as it not only works for a beginner like Stronglifts5x5 does, but introduces you to the concepts and reasoning behind progression, transitioning to intermediate, main lifts, balanced training, deloads, accessories, and a bunch more. Like, it's more of a thought process than a specific program so its scaleable to your goals. But yah, it's available on Boostcamp for free in a cookie-cutter or you can read about it here and devise your own approach.
 
@david_loves_boats Echoing others. Probably not worth it to buy, better to use one of the beginner programs on the wiki. You say your “body has gotten used to it”; are you practicing progressive overload, meaning adding weight each time you lift? If not, you need to. Find a program that you can track and track your lifts. Add weight each time until you fail, back off a little, and repeat.
 
@mrix yes I am, over time I have some what developed a routine and I do try to progressively overload but my issues with that is my form tends to go off. I will try to go with smaller weights at a time. I just want like a routine to follow instead of doing too much of the same all the time.
 
@david_loves_boats I use an app called strengthlog that has a premium subscription. They have all kinds of programs from powerlifting to bodybuilding, all sorts of progression and peaking regimes etc.

I've been eyeing renaissance periodization a bit too. But I have yet to try it.
 
@mousearts Just came here to say this. Can not recommend that app enough!! I was feeling the same as op, and then I found strengthlog. Many different programs to choose from, and many free options!
 
@david_loves_boats If you find a good influencer or program i personally do not mind buying them. They make the gym easier for me. I do not need to think about what I am going to do or make up my own stuff. I simply need to follow program and adjust weight. After running through a program once I will go back through and substitute certain exercises for different ones.

One thing I would note is don’t pay for a subscription make one time payments for a whole program. Some people I like are the mind pump guys and Jeff nippard.
 
@david_loves_boats I've been using Arnold's "The Pump" app for almost a year now which I can't rate highly enough. You lock into a program (choosing a level and type: beginner, intermediate, or advanced and bodyweight, dumbbell, or gym) and it has a built-in tracker and calendar (plus other features and resources and constantly being updated). Once you finish a program (~12 weeks) it has additional ones to choose depending on what you want to focus on. I'm not exactly sure how much it costs currently as I got in early with a one time purchase, but I believe its subscription based now. Of course you can find great programs for free as most suggest in this thread. However, if you don't want to do that research and not want to think about it and also not hard pressed for cash I definitely recommend it. Plus it has a pretty positive and supportive community as well.
 
@david_loves_boats Personally, my favorite free program--especially for someone who wants to get into fitness--is the GZCLP, although I like switching the T1 progression from the basic 5x3>6x2>10x1 to 4x4>5x3>6x2.
 
@david_loves_boats Buying a book that has a program in it is usually much more worthwhile. The information around the template is where the real gold is. Beyond 5/3/1, Bromley's base strength, tactical barbell, deep water, super squats. All gold.
 
@david_loves_boats I pay 120$ a month at a gym where I go to HIIT classes 3 times a week, then on the weekend a hybrid class and a cardio class... plus access to the facility whenever I want. The classes push me harder than I would push myself... but of course I work hard, you get out what you put in... but that is so absolutely worth the money to me... the improvements have been amazing. I also have a yoga membership and go to spin classes. I never stuck to at-home stuff (yes that's a me problem) so that's my investment. When i Iived near an Orangetheory that was amazing too.
 
@david_loves_boats Progress is mainly based on consistency and intensity. I think the latter is neglected a lot by most people. Most bros generically preach “progressive overload”. Because YouTube says that a lot. But in reality most people just don’t train very hard and Rest waaay more than they realize. Then they don’t get results and blame the program they’re using.
Literally any program will get you some kind of results if you’re working your butt off in the gym. And not eating trash.
 
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