What is the purpose of your weightlifting workout? Have you set your goals, and defined how you want your body to look? Without having a clearly defined picture of the results you wish to achieve, designing your workout is nearly impossible.

Weightlifting is different for many people. Some people enter into weightlifting with the purpose of getting stronger and achieving cardio fitness at the same time. Some of you come into weightlifting with only the purpose of getting stronger, but really do not care about getting large. Then there are the hardcore lifters and bodybuilders who wish to get massive muscles, and push their limits in gaining strength. Where do you fall in these groupings?

If you have started weightlifting to get stronger and get cardio fitness, you are going to need to do circuit weight training. Your weightlifting is going to consist of high repetitions, potentially in the 20 to 25 repetition range, and then moving rapidly onto the next exercise. You are not going to be lifting for high weights, but for speed to bring your heart rate up, along with challenging your muscles. You will probably work every muscle in your body at every workout, since you are not striving to tear them down to build larger muscles. Plan your workout to include a wide variety of exercises, with most of them focusing on major muscle groups to get the most cardio benefit.

When you enter weightlifting with the goal of increasing strength, but not pushing yourself to have massive muscles, you are going to be working out with medium range repetitions. You will want to do sets of 12 to 15 reps, do several sets of your major exercises. Since you are not striving to build massive muscles, your nutritional needs will not demand the high amounts of protein consumed by a bodybuilder.

Those among you who are striving to get massive power, and huge muscles are going to be pounding your muscles like no one else. Your workouts are going to be longer, but your repetitions per exercise much lower. You will be aiming to squeeze out 8 to 10 reps per set, doing about 3 sets per exercise. You will need to lift to failure on the exercise. The last rep should really be the last rep you can do. You will be handling the heaviest weights of any lifter, and must use a spotter. Your body is going to need massive amounts of protein to rebuild the damaged muscles, and build them stronger and larger. Make sure your give every muscle group at least 2 full days rest between workouts. Other supplements can be very beneficial in increasing the speed of muscle recovery, helping your muscles to grow even larger.

As you can see, a weightlifting workout means different things to different people. This becomes even more apparent when you start using weightlifting for sports. Each sport requires focusing the lifting techniques and selection of exercises to match the needs of the sport. Choose your goals, then you can start designing your workout plan to reach your goals.