Experience level!

[Coregains]

This is for the begginers to read through and the experienced members to answer, Begginers use this as a guide line, dont post irrelivant info!

What amount of time would you class a person who has been training ?

upto 6months

upto 12months

1-2 years

2-5 years

5+ years

[Coregains]

upto 6months - Begginer

upto 12months - Begginer

1-2 years - Intermediate

2-5 years - Intermediate/advanced

5+ years - Advanced

That is how i would class them, although some people may progress quicker this is my general rule of thumb when giving advice to the average trainer.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by Coregains

upto 6months - Begginer

upto 12months - Begginer

1-2 years - Intermediate

2-5 years - Intermediate/advanced

5+ years - Advanced

Seems reasonable, but then a peson could still be a beginner at 5+ years depending on their knowledge and the sort of training they've been doing...or a person could be advanced at 1 year, depending once again on what they have been doing and their knowledge.

I prefer to say, I have so many years experience as opposed to considering myself beginner/intermediate/advanced...and that's how I view others as well.

Was the question, however, in relation to when a person should progress to a workout listed under those categoreis?

[BLITZKRIEG]

I don't want to run over your thread Coregains but I feel the same as 5kgLifter.

As I see it a person can spend 20 years in training but that doesn't mean that they are an expert.

The bottom line is that it depends on the person.
Their Knowledge, what they do with that knowledge.
Their Skills and how they implement them.

Some people just get lucky, others have to work hard at it.

[jmcdowell21]

I have to agree, I've been training for almost three years but for two and a half improperly. Just recently found this site and had my eyes opened up, I am overwhelmed with the new insights and training tequniques I've found after almost three years now. I'm a serious beginner even after all this time and effort put in

[PhillyDev]

I agree with Blitz. You also have to realize that just because a person can read the info and completely comprehend it. Implimenting it is a whole different thing.

[CptKnuckles]

yeah when you do classification do you mean begginer as in the weight they can lift and there physical condition? Or their knowledge.
Like would you consider intermediate someone that doesn't lift too much but knows a lot or would he still be begginer since he lifts very little?

For a general guideline though I think the classification is pretty good.

[tadolfi]

Here is my definition....
The time frame is my guess at how long it may take a person to possess such knowledge.

If you have consistently been training while following proper protocol for form, intensity, volume and recovery for a period under 6 months - Beginner.

Using the same as above plus a solid understanding of diet and anatomy (not to name parts, but to know what works what area and WHY) for a period of 7 months to two or three years - Intermediate

You may be considered advanced when you have all the above plus...a firm grasp of time under tension, goal specific training, knowledge of fast twitch, slow twitch (Strength/Endurance) fiber training and PATIENCE for those that do not have this knowledge - No time frame on this.
Could happen as early as 2.5 to 3 years.

That's just off the top of my head - there is a little more to it for the Intermediate to Advanced, but you at least get a general idea.

[Coregains]

A Reply to most of the posts above,

There is always going to be someone who learns quicker than another this i have no doubt, this post was mostly aimed at the routine's on the site.

I would class myself as an intermediate, i have good knowledge my form could be a little better and the way i process my knowledge to my workouts could deffinately be improved.

But, i dont think anyone without a good few years training can be classed advanced, there are too many techniques and way too much knowledge to be absorbed in a year or 2 + the fact that you need to master many movements in the gym.

Too often i see people with say 6-12months experience trying more advanced stuff, hell i used to be one of them, iv realised just because i can do them doesn't mean i should.

Begginer to me is someone just starting with some knowledge

Intermediate to me is someone with great knowledge, near perfect form.

Advanced to me is someone who has deep knowledge in all aspects of training, perfect form, Has worked out what they're bodies react best and someone who can share his knowledge in a way anyone can understand, E.g Sports conditioning coach, Personel Trainer, etc.

[CptKnuckles]

alright so do you mean that everyone with less than a years experience should only be doing begginer workouts? And at what point do you think people should start incorporating squats, deadlifts and the intermediate compound moves into their routines according to your classification which is the way I see it too.