So many people ask, "How can I get stronger?" and really have no idea how to start. That's sad; the basic information about how to do strength training is simple.

Here is the basic information about how to build strength through exercise:

1. Progressive Overload

Whether you're doing pushups, sit-ups, or the bench press remember one thing: always make it harder. Somehow, each time you workout, make it harder.

This may mean doing more pushups or sit-ups. Adding more weight to your bench press. Or resting less between exercises.

When you overload your body in one way, it gets stronger. By progressively overloading yourself, at each and every session, you'll get just a little stronger each time.

2. Frequency

In the beginning, have training sessions 2-3 days a week. This is enough time to spend to increase your strength, and it will also not overwork your body.

As you get more experienced and gain endurance you might move to a more rigorous schedule. As a good rule of thumb, if you're still sore from your last session (more than just mildly discomforted) then don't go to the gym.

3. Intensity

Q: How intense should you workout?

A: How intense do you want your strength to be?

You should always do as much as you can at the gym. If you keep going to the gym and aren't getting sore from your workouts, and aren't getting stronger, definitely make it more intense.

You need to push yourself as much as possible to make progress and (ideally) be sore after every workout.

4. Rest

No matter how hard you workout, you need to rest afterward. For the 24-48 hours after your workout, rest.

No lifting, running, exercising, etc.

This will give your muscles a chance to recover stronger than they were before. By not resting you simply work against your body and do damage that will take even longer to repair - and not leave you stronger.

5. Consistency and Commitment

Consistency means going to the gym when you've committed to yourself that you will go. And commitment is deciding to workout for a given period of time (a week, month, year, etc.).

You need to workout consistently in order to build strength. 2-3 Times a week is good for starters and, barring serious illness or emergency, you simply go when you've told yourself you will go.

And be committed. If you say you'll workout for a week, do it. No excuses.

It's fine to workout for a limited period of time. But whatever the period is (months to get in shape for a sports season, several weeks to look good on the beach, etc.) stick to it. This not only builds physical strength, but it also cultivates mental strength.