When is a beginner no longer a beginner?

I've read here on various occasions that a newbie can expect unusual
benefits from weight training, including gains in strength and the
ability to gain muscle and lose fat simultaneously.

But when does this grace period end? If a beginner doesn't lift
intensely for the first year, then begins to lift harder, is the result
different than if they had started lifting more intensely from the
start? When does someone pass out of the beginner stage and into
whatever comes next (intermediate)?

Also, if someone stops lifting for a time, do they become a beginner
again?

On Tue, 31 May 2005 09:19:44 -0400, nono RemoveThis @way.com (Preacher) wrote:

>I've read here on various occasions that a newbie can expect unusual
>benefits from weight training, including gains in strength and the
>ability to gain muscle and lose fat simultaneously.
>
>But when does this grace period end? If a beginner doesn't lift
>intensely for the first year, then begins to lift harder, is the result
>different than if they had started lifting more intensely from the
>start? When does someone pass out of the beginner stage and into
>whatever comes next (intermediate)?

It depends ($1 to Lyle). In general, it seems to be just a few
months. Fatter people seem to be able to do it longer.

>Also, if someone stops lifting for a time, do they become a beginner
>again?

Yes. If they stop long enough.

--
Helgi Briem hbriem AT simnet DOT is