Training Vs Working Out
At first glance training and working out my seem to be the same thing, after all both involve going to the gym to exercise but is that all there is to it ? However, you may be going to the gym to workout but not achieving results becase you should be training.
Working out or simply exercising are not bad, a little bit of simple exercise can be just a way to relax, however, working out may not help you reach your goals like training will.
To move from working out to training there are a few things that need to change, including:
Goal Setting
When you workout, you may have some vague insubstantial goals like: get fit, lose weight, get stronger or gain muscle. When you Train these goals need to become more precise. Goal setting for training needs to be ….
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely
Goals help you to push harder to reach the milestones you have set.
Planning
Working out or exercising is often random with minimal though as to what exercise will be done when you walk into the gym beyond the decision to lift weights or do cardio. A training program must be planned, targeting specific results in a consistant way using best practices to achieve your goals. Not everybody has the knowledge to prepare a consistent plan to meet your training goals, this is where a Coach can assist with current up to date knowledge to work with you to get your plan right.
When precise goals and good planning come together, the hard days at the gym become easier, you know your goals are achievable, you know you have a good plan in place and in knowing these things you are able to push through past barriers and achieve results.
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5 Comments
I have just gone through you other article on ‘Why You Should Compete’ http://www.temple-of-iron.com/powerlifting-why-you-should-compete/ and this post seems to tie in well with that one.
Someone who decides to join a competition as per your advice would have to get serious with their work outs. In other words, they would have to start training. Everyone would like to give their best in a competition, so only the best routines, coaches and gyms would cut it.
Would you advice a newbie to always be training or are there periods when one should take it a bit easy and just work out?
Wow I couldn’t tell the difference in the past, but your article made it clear now.
I like the setting goals part and the 5 factors you need to consider (S.M.A.R.T), very clever I would say.
The most important thing in my opinion is as you said having a coach to plan a training program for you as you may not be precise with setting goals on your own and don’t have the knowledge to do so.
Sharing is caring, thanks for another informative article!
I did both over the course of my lifetime. I started out with a specific goal in mind, losing weight. I wasn’t overweight or anything, I was trying to get into modelling and believed getting specific measurements would help my chances. It seems like a silly idea right now, concentrating my efforts on my measurements alone. Yet, I achieved success with the goals. I got to my ideal number through rigid training, involving running for few hours a week (around 2 per training) and through a serious diet. I counted calories to the point that I can name calories in… Read more »
I think you can also have goals or planned schedules when working out, however they are more short-term, and your workout schedule consists of just the same types of exercises for a period of weeks. Training is more intense and consists of a carefully planned series of activities, usually with a competition in mind.
[…] training for a meet puts a focus on the difference between actual training and working out. With a set date to compete, most lifters are far less likely to skip a session in the gym, but […]