Returning to the Gym After a Long Break - Beast Over Burden - #595
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Release Date: 10/15/2024
Overcoming the 3 Big Training Pitfalls: Snacking, All-or-Nothing Thinking, & Weak Boundaries
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
This episode tackles overcoming the 3 big training pitfalls that silently sabotage lifters: mindless snacking, all-or-nothing thinking, and poor boundaries. Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson break it down with practical tips, real-life stories, and strategies that actually work for strength, longevity, and real-life training. 💡 Key Takeaways (Bullets for Engagement & Search) Identify and overcome the 3 big training pitfalls Why snacks you don’t count still count How “perfect or nothing” leads to burnout Real-world boundary-setting tips for parties, travel, and stress ...
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From Frustrated to Free: A Realistic Guide to Long-Term Strength
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Struggling to stay consistent with strength training? Feel like you're always starting over? In this episode, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson deliver a realistic guide to long-term strength—not hype, not hacks—just what actually works for lasting progress, muscle, and freedom. 💡 Key Takeaways Physical freedom = the ability to adapt and train for life—not just 12-week spurts You don’t need 6 weeks—you need 18–24 months of structured training Muscle = your emergency fund for long-term independence A coach can accelerate your growth and cut years off your learning curve ...
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Training When Life Gets Messy
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Life’s messy—but your strength doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson dive into how to stay strong when life throws curveballs. From missed workouts to surprise illnesses, chaotic travel, or just busy seasons, they reveal how to adapt your training, stay consistent, and keep building strength—without falling into the all-or-nothing trap. 💥 Topics Covered: Why perfection kills progress (and what mindset to replace it with) Programming hacks for crazy schedules, travel, and low-energy days Real-life coaching stories showing how to...
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The Four Pillars of Building Strength and Muscle
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Andrew Jackson and Niki Sims break down the four pillars of building strength and muscle, giving lifters a principle-based framework to guide their training decisions. Whether you're trying to gain size, improve performance, or stay consistent as life gets busier, these pillars—simplicity, specificity, appropriate stress, and minimum effective dose—help you filter the noise and focus on what actually works. With practical examples, coaching wisdom, and real-world insight, this episode equips you to stop program-hopping and start progressing with...
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Ditch the PR Obsession: A Smarter Way to Lift for the Long Haul
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
On this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki and Andrew break down what it means to ditch the PR obsession and rethink your entire approach to lifting. If you’ve ever felt burned out chasing endless personal records, this is your permission slip to step off the hamster wheel and build a system that actually works. You’ll learn how to structure your training week, hit every major muscle group with efficiency, and understand the role recovery plays in long-term growth. Whether you’re a seasoned lifter or still finding your groove, this episode delivers the practical mindset shift you need to...
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Training Principles for Lifters 30+: Build Strength, Save Time, Stay Consistent
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Training Principles for Lifters 30+: Build Strength, Save Time, Stay Consistent Training can feel overwhelming, especially with so many conflicting voices in the fitness world. In this episode, we break down the key principles of effective, time-efficient strength training to help you build physical freedom, longevity, and resilience—without wasting hours in the gym. Many lifters struggle to balance fitness with the demands of real life. Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, training smart is essential to staying strong, capable, and injury-free. This episode lays out the...
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Nutrition Psychology for Lifters: Mindset for Mastery with Marcus of Strong not Starving
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Master nutrition psychology for lifters, building a strong mindset for muscle and meals, and achieving peak performance. Unlock the mental game of nutrition and transform your lifting journey. This episode delves into the critical role of Nutrition Psychology for Lifters, going beyond basic dietary recommendations. We welcome Marcus Kain of Strong Not Starving to explore the mindset shift needed to navigate emotional eating, build resilience, and achieve lasting peace with food. Discover practical strategies to master your mindset, enhance distress tolerance, and cultivate a healthy...
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Master Your Nutrition Habits: The Lifter’s Path to Baseline Consistency
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Building a strong nutritional baseline is the key to long-term results. In this episode of Beast Over Burden, we break down the daily habits lifters need to create structure, eliminate setbacks, and stay consistent. Forging Daily Nutritional Habits: Actionable Steps Build a Routine: Establish fixed meal times, eliminate caloric drinks, and cut out mindless snacking. Prioritize Whole Foods: Create a repeatable meal plan that minimizes decision fatigue. Use Habit Stacking: Drink water before meals, prep your gym bag the night before, and link new habits to existing routines. Understand...
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The Nutrition Plateau: When Hard Work Doesn't Show Results (Yet)
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Embarking on a nutritional change is a journey of dedication and effort. But what happens when you're putting in the work and the results seem to lag? This episode dives into the frustrating reality of the nutrition plateau, exploring the gap between expectations and reality, and providing strategies to stay the course. We’ll cover how to navigate social challenges, maintain motivation, and ultimately achieve your health goals, even when the immediate rewards are elusive. The Expectation Gap and the Frustration Factor When you decide to make nutritional changes, you often have a...
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Beyond Macros: Building Baseline Nutrition Habits
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic
Learn practical strategies for building baseline nutrition habits that go beyond macro counting, focusing on consistent daily behaviors for sustainable health and lasting results. We dive deep into the behaviors that form the foundation of your nutritional success. Forget the complicated macro calculations for a moment; we're focusing on the daily, repeatable habits that truly make a difference. These are the routines that will empower you to build a reliable nutrition baseline, ensuring you consistently nourish your body and achieve your health goals. It's not about quick fixes or fad diets,...
info_outlineStruggling to get back into the gym after a long break? Learn how to overcome mental and physical challenges and restart your fitness journey with our beginner's guide.
Returning to the Gym After a Long Break: Shift Your Mental Mindset
You went on a vacation, got sick, had a baby, were injured, or had your gym closed down. How do you get back to working out regularly?
Niki and Andrew first, of course, recommend that you probably want to avoid this situation if you can. Even if it's just some light bodyweight exercises, this is significantly better than no exercise.
The hardest aspect of this is in your head.
Once you take a break longer than about 3-5 days, you will find a significant decrease in performance. Because of this, you will have to deal address your expectations for what your body can do based on its past performance versus its current performance.
Focus on the habit of training and identify yourself as a lifter - you are someone who strength trains.
Lastly, remember that you are moving toward your goal, but that it will likely take longer than you would like (but in the grand scheme of things it will not take that long).
Returning to the Gym After a Long Break: Soreness & Other Physical Challenges
As you have to adjust your mindset, you also need to adjust the weight and volume. Begin with lower volume and lower weight. It is much better to err on the side of too light than too heavy. It will help you ease back into the program, build confidence, and enjoy the quick gains from the lower weight as opposed to quickly missing reps because you tried to begin as close to your limit as possible.
Expect that your second workout or second day at the gym will be harder than the first. Especially with the squat, you will experience soreness.
Remember that movement will help with soreness. Enjoy the shock to your system.
Beginning your strength training routine after a break should not be scary. Take it easy, adjust your mindset, and get back in the gym!
Share your experience with returning to the gym after a long break.
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