So what do you train for? Are you at the gym for strength or for aesthetics? Or are you smart enough to choose both? Would you want to take partial advantage of your hard work or reap all the functional benefits that it provides? This question is ever engrossing.
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Set A Goal. But Don't Lie To Yourself
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Training for strength and training for aesthetics is purely a personal choice. It all depends on your goal. However, there shouldn't be any difference in the two according to logical reasoning. How awkward would it sound if you hear someone say, I lift weights to look good , I don't care about my strength or I am building a body so I look like someone who can lift 500 pounds , I don't really care if I can or not. Why would you want to carry all that muscle but then not be able to justify it? That's like living a lie. You might be better off wearing a Batman suit with fake muscles instead, if this is what you want. Why do we train for strength? Strength has two basic needs- functional purpose and the other is if you have aspirations to get into lifting competitions.
What Is The Difference Between Strength And Aesthetics When It Comes To Training?
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Aesthetics is the bi-product of your diet. Strangely enough, if you want to look lean, all you need to do is diet. But if you want to look ripped, like a competitive athlete, you need to put on a certain amount of lean muscle mass as well. Although this does require you to work with weights but in the end, nutrition is what decides how much the muscle will grow. Looking like a pro bodybuilder doesn't mean you lift like a pro lifter. Having muscles don't translate into strength either. The strength of an individual is determined by the capacity of the central nervous system (brain), to be able to recruit the maximum amount of motor units to make the muscle fibers work. A bodybuilder may look all ripped and strong, but disappoint during a lifting performance. Whereas a power lifter who is generally big and bulky will have herculean strength to lift that sort of weight just because he has been strength training. His aesthetics however may not be very appealing because of his love for pasta and potatoes, but considering he follows a bodybuilding diet along with a fat loss diet, he will shape up as good as a competitive bodybuilder in very less time.
Aesthetics Are A By Product Of Strength Training And Solid Nutrition
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You do not need to life heavy to build muscles. You do not need to work out in a full range of motion to build muscles. And you sure as hell do not need right form and technique to build muscles. As long as there is thebreakdown of muscles, rest, recovery and nutrition is taken care of, you will build muscles. However, if you want to lift heavy for strength, the right form and technique is required. The right understanding of bio mechanics and nutrition is required. Therefore, to sum it up, aesthetics is and should be a bi product of dieting strength training. Once your foundation of strength is taken care of, you can branch out into any form of sport specific training you wish to do. Always train for strength, the bi product of your hard work will depend on nutrition.
Helius is one of Mumbai's most promising fitness professionals and part time kettle bell lecturer. His knowledge on nutrition and trainer soft skills management is well recognized. To know more about himCLICK HERE, and mail your queries about fitness to heliusd@hotmail.com.
