Training Vs Working Out
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Most people you see at a gym typically are there just to “work out.” In my mind this is a mindless way to do exercise. There are no thoughts, progressions, plans, etc toward any improvement, these people just want to SWEAT. While this may be great for the average person, I am NOT a fan of it. I feel quite strongly about this, because I don’t like the thought of not working towards a greater goal. On the other hand, training is completely different from working out. Training is working towards a specific goal, usually performance related, with thought out plans, usually monthly/annually, and exercises vary greatly. By having an annual plan you are constantly changing things month to month and challenge the body differently each time. This breaks up the monotony of boring, bootcamp type workouts that just want you to do burpees all day, sweat, and work hard. I love to sweat, work hard, and burpees, but sometimes I like doing flexibility drills, ankle rehab, and grip work because my hips need more flexibility, my ankles feel weak from wearing shoes all day, and my grip sucks. Throw in some cardio or a body weight circuit for 5-10 minutes at the end to break a sweat if you have not already. The ultimate goal of this type of training is…
1) Injury Prevention and Longevity
When you train you are able to stay relatively injury free because there is a plan to take weeks off, there are built in stretching routines, there are built in recovery methods, and rehabilitation exercises. This allows the body to relax and not be in the “zone” all the time. You should be in fitness for life, because it is a lifestyle, and it allows discovery through movement. You cannot learn movement if your injured, and you wont live long unless you move.
2) Improved Function/Performance
You should always be seeking performance goals, like jump higher, lift heavier, run faster, etc. Everyone has different goals, which will dictate your training, but I like the idea of striving for ultimate function; Make movements look easy, move like water and don’t succumb to gravity. This will keep your movement quality high, and keep you looking and feeling great, while also not being “all show, no go.”
3) Adaptability
The human body is organic and constantly in a state of flux. Fatigue will mask your fitness levels. One day you may feel great, the next you had very stressful day at work and do terrible at the gym. Proper training can accommodate for these changes and keep you in game longer. This will keep you sane and keep your mind in tune with your body. I love discipline and sticking to a program, but sometimes you have to learn to listen to your body.
If you are not training like this then I highly suggest you start to learn to feel how your body is and be creative to adapt your work out, I mean training sessions, accordingly. Sometimes the best workouts are the ones where you go outside, take your shoes off, run, crawl, and jump around.