Last time we talked about the “strength standards” every serious lifter must meet in their quest to gain size. In response to these numbers, we had some of our readers get in touch with us.

One question that came across our desk, asked about rate of progress. It’s a thorny subject for sure, because many of the numbers you commonly see make strength and size progression sound effortlessly easy. And this presents us with a problem. Why? Because anyone who is familiar with weight training knows real and significant progress takes time.

Yet this fact won’t stop the hucksters from trying to kid you into thinking otherwise. Their job is to sell you the next “guaranteed muscle building program” and to hell with the consequences.

So if you can’t go from zero to superhero in 30-days (or less), what sort of time frame are we talking about here?

First off, if you don’t know already, you should realise gaining strength and size is a marathon and not a sprint. Also, your training should be a lifetime pursuit and not something you attempt for 30-days then casually toss away. Be aware of these factors, and suddenly we can start talking about real, achievable numbers instead of the mythical nonsense spouted by gurus hungry for your hard-earned dollar.

So here are some numbers for you.

For the average, healthy, drug-free and injury-free individual who follows abbreviated training practices (like those outlined on my site), you can expect to reach the higher end of the strength standards in 3-5 years. These figures assume you have never raised a barbell before and that you are entering the iron game new.

Now these numbers won’t be the same for everybody. Depending on a host of factors, one person might meet these targets in less time while others might take more. What matters to you is your rate of progress, and comparing yourself to yourself.

For many, these numbers will sound unreasonable. Impatient and desiring a “quick fix”, they will jump from workout to workout in the vain hope of finding the ultimate program or routine.

But here’s what the neophyte does not know: the ultimate program or routine simply does not exist. (I can hear the hucksters' screams as they jump off the nearest bridge.) All that matters is YOUR progress. Everything you study and apply to your weight training should be geared to this.

Progress is king.

Progress is your number one priority. 

Because without it, you will never gain the mass and size worthy of your efforts.


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Did you miss last week’s email? No problem. You can now find it posted on my site below.

To discover the strength standards you need to meet for muscle growth, see

STRENGTH STANDARDS


Until next time,

Squat for Glory!

Lee


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