FAQ for strength training beginners in Kaohsiung
If you're new to strength training, the questions you have are usually very practical.
Can I start with no exercise experience? Should I choose one-on-one, a beginner class or a group class? Will I keep up in a group class? How should training be planned if I'm older, or have a health condition to keep in mind?
Beyoung Training is a strength training studio in the Wenshan Special District of Sanmin, Kaohsiung. This page brings together the questions people most often have before getting in touch, so you know how the classes differ, what happens on your first visit, and which situations are better suited to starting with one-on-one.
Work out which class suits you in 30 seconds
No strength training experience, and want to learn the basic movements properly first
See Beginner Strength Training – LV1 / LV2. LV1 focuses on the squat, breathing and basic ways of producing force; LV2 adds the deadlift, upper-body pushing and pulling, and loaded training.
Want the coach to fine-tune everything to your situation
One-on-One Personal Training is a better fit.
The coach adjusts the content to your current movement foundation, training experience and how you're doing that day. People new to strength training, older beginners, or anyone needing more individual attention right now can also start here.
Have some foundation and want to train every week at a set time
See the Free-Weight Group Class.
Classes run once a week at a fixed time, following a shared program and that week's version. Each person's weight is set by their current ability, and necessary adjustments are made when a student isn't ready for that week's version.
Want to train with a friend, partner or family member
See Two-Person Personal Training.
You train together but don't need to be at the same level. The coach adjusts each person's movement versions, weights and progress separately.
It's fine if you're still unsure — you don't have to decide on your own. Tell us your current exercise experience, age and what matters most to you, and we'll work out together where to start.
Starting strength training for the first time
Can I start with no exercise background?
Yes.
You don't need to know how to squat or deadlift, or get fit first, before your first visit.
The coach first looks at which movements you can do steadily now, then chooses a suitable version.
For beginners, what matters most early on is getting familiar with the equipment, knowing how to produce force,
and being able to repeat the same movement steadily.
The weight will increase gradually as these foundations build.
I haven't exercised in a long time. Which class should I start with?
It depends on how much individual attention you need.
If you simply haven't exercised in a while, but have no particular limitations in daily life and activity right now,
you can start with Beginner Strength Training to build the basic movements.
If you're unsure about your physical condition, want someone to observe you thoroughly,
or have something that needs to be understood first, we recommend starting with a One-on-One Trial.
What happens in the One-on-One Trial?
The trial session is 60 minutes.
We start by talking about your exercise experience, your current daily life,
and what you want to get out of training.
Then we use a few basic movements to see how you currently move, produce force and control your body, and choose suitable versions to practise.
At the end of the session, based on what the coach saw that day,
we'll discuss whether it suits you better to continue with one-on-one, join Beginner Strength Training, or move on to the Free-Weight Group Class later.
Fees are listed in Classes and fees.
How to choose a class
What's the difference between one-on-one, Beginner Strength Training and the Free-Weight Group Class?
The main difference is how they're taught. One-on-One Personal Training: the coach's attention is focused on one student, and sessions can be adjusted in finer detail to your situation.
Beginner Strength Training – LV1 / LV2 splits getting started into two stages. LV1 focuses on the squat and basic ways of producing force; LV2 focuses on the deadlift, pushing and pulling, and handling load.
Free-Weight Group Class: the whole class follows a shared program and that week's version, with each person's weight set by their current ability. The coach only makes necessary adjustments when a student isn't ready for that week's version. It suits people who already have a foundation in the basic movements, want to train every week at a set time, and want to keep building under a coach's eye.
For a full comparison, see How to choose a fitness class in Kaohsiung.
Can I join the Free-Weight Group Class directly with no experience?
It depends on your current movement foundation. The Free-Weight Group Class follows a shared program and training cycle, so before joining, the key is confirming you have the basic movement skills to fit in with where the class is now.
If you've never used free weights and the squat, deadlift, pushing, pulling and equipment are all unfamiliar, starting with Beginner Strength Training or one-on-one usually makes it easier to learn the basic movements properly.
If you already have exercise or strength training experience, tell us your current level and we'll check whether you can join the group class directly.
In two-person training, do both people do the same thing?
Not necessarily. You can both train the same patterns — for example, both doing a squat, an upper-body pull and a loaded carry today — but the movement versions and weights can differ.
For example, one person might do a barbell squat while the other does a box squat. The coach looks at what each of you can currently do steadily.
If one person needs a lot of individual attention, or your needs are very different, we may recommend one-on-one at first. Details are on Two-Person Personal Training.
Free-Weight Group Class
How many people are in a group class?
The Free-Weight Group Class currently runs with a minimum of 3 people and a maximum of 8 per class. The reason for limiting numbers is simple: the coach needs to be able to see everyone's movement, and needs time between sets to watch movement quality, set weights and give cues — and to make necessary adjustments for individual students when needed.
Will I be able to keep up in a group class?
You don't need to use the same weight as anyone else. The Free-Weight Group Class has a shared program and a version for each week. Most students follow the same version, and each person's weight is set by their current ability.
For example, if the week's plan is a particular squat version, some people use a lighter weight to make the movement steady, while others can already add load gradually. The coach only makes necessary adjustments when a student isn't ready for that week's version.
What you need to keep up with is the class plan and your own training pace — not how much weight the person next to you is using.
How many times a week is the Free-Weight Group Class?
It's currently once a week, 60 minutes per class, four classes a month. You choose a fixed class time when you sign up, and it's arranged month by month.
There are currently weekday lunchtime, weekday evening and Saturday morning classes. Actual class times and remaining spots are shown on the current sign-up page.
How much does the group class cost?
The Free-Weight Group Class is billed monthly: once a week, four classes a month, with a separate option for renewing the following month.
Prices and full details for each class are listed in Classes and fees, which is always the most up-to-date version.
Is there a single trial class for the group class?
We don't currently offer single trial group classes. The Free-Weight Group Class runs at fixed times as a continuous monthly program, and the coach keeps adjusting based on the movement and training they've seen in previous weeks.
If you're not sure about your level, tell us about your current training experience first. If you already have experience with the basic movements, we can assess whether you can join the Free-Weight Group Class directly. If you need more individual attention, you can start with a One-on-One Trial.
Is there a women-only Free-Weight Group Class?
Yes. The Wednesday 20:15–21:15 class is currently a women-only Free-Weight Group Class, and all students in it are women.
The content is the same as the other Free-Weight Group Classes — full-body training centred on squats, deadlifts, upper-body pushing and pulling, and loaded carries. All other classes are open to everyone.
If you're concerned about who's in the class, the fact that the coach is male, or whether you can join with no strength training experience, see the full details on the Women-only Free-Weight Group Class page.
Age and health
Can I start strength training if I'm over 60?
We'll first understand your current situation, then plan a suitable way to start. Beyoung Training's Free-Weight Group Class is currently designed mainly for adults aged 20 to 59. If you're over 60 and getting in touch for the first time, we recommend starting with a One-on-One Trial.
The coach first looks at your current mobility, movement foundation and a suitable training intensity. Once your training is more stable, we'll assess whether one-on-one or another class format suits you better going forward. Age is one factor to consider, but the actual plan still depends on each person's situation. To learn what we look at on the first visit for people over 60, which class is better to start with, and how things are planned afterwards, see Strength Training for Older Adults in Kaohsiung.
Can I train if I have an old injury, a history of surgery, or am currently under medical care?
We first need to confirm what limitations you have. If you're currently under medical care, have recently had surgery, or a medical professional has told you to avoid certain activities, please complete the relevant medical assessment first, then tell us about your limitations.
Beyoung Training provides strength and movement training, not medical or rehabilitation services. What the coach can do is adjust movement versions and training intensity within your known limitations, based on what you can currently do.
Everyone's situation is different. If you have any concerns, please talk to a medical professional first.
Can I do strength training during pregnancy or after giving birth?
It depends on your current stage and individual situation. If you're pregnant, recovering after giving birth, or have specific instructions from a medical professional, we recommend confirming which activities are suitable for you right now first.
Once you start training, the coach plans the content around the movements you can do at the time, your training experience and how you respond to the intensity. Everyone's situation is different — if you have any concerns, please talk to a medical professional first.
Before class and on the day
What should I wear?
Just wear clothes you can move comfortably in. For shoes, sports shoes suitable for indoor training with soles that sit stably on the floor are best. You don't need to buy weightlifting shoes, a lifting belt or other special gear. Bring water and a towel if you like.
Is Beyoung Training a gym where I can come and use the equipment myself?
Beyoung Training is appointment-only, and our classes are coach-led. We don't offer gym-style open access or self-directed use of the space.
If what you mainly need is a place to train on your own, a regular gym may suit you better.
Is Beyoung Training a rehabilitation center?
No. Beyoung Training provides strength training and movement coaching. This is not a medical or rehabilitation service.
If you currently have clear pain, are recovering from surgery, or have an illness or other medical issue, please talk to the relevant medical professional first. Once you've confirmed you can start training, we'll plan classes around what you can do now.
In one-on-one or two-person sessions, will other people be training nearby?
One-on-one and two-person sessions both use a private training space.
In a one-on-one session, the training space is used by one coach and one student; in two-person training, by one coach and two students. Beyoung Training is appointment-only and doesn't offer open access or self-directed equipment use to members.
Between sessions, students for the next class may arrive early and wait.
To see how the actual space and street-side visibility are arranged, see Space and privacy for one-on-one training.
Location and getting started
Where is Beyoung Training?
Beyoung Training is at No. 95, Baoyang E. St., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung, in the Wenshan Special District, an area that connects with Sanmin and Fengshan.
For your first visit, let us know whether you'll be driving, riding a scooter or taking public transport, and we'll give you clearer directions.
I still don't know which class suits me. What should I do?
You don't need to research every class first. When you contact us, just tell us your age, whether you've done strength training before, whether you exercise regularly now, any health conditions to keep in mind, and your main reason for wanting to start.
With this information, it's easier to tell whether you can join a group class directly, should start with a beginner class, or begin with one-on-one.
See
Classes and fees