WEIGHT TRAINING V STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING TRAINING
- Pete
- May 1
- 2 min read
I'm often asked, what is the difference between Weight Training (which is what we do at Physique) and Strength and Conditioning training?
Strength and conditioning training is a concept developed some 23 years ago, as product to sell to the general public, encompassing some weight training and cardio vascular exercises, aimed at improving performance and physical capabilities, without using expensive weight training machines or equipment.
Yes you can get fitter and healthier by doing strength and conditioning training however it is worth considering the term "Conditioning" was invented by the fitness industry, used to re word Cardio, as it was felt that the term cardio was old fashioned and not sexy!
CrossFit is a good example of this style of training, (invented some 20 years ago), is also a branded style of training and a franchise, and spawned the "CrossFit Games".
So is Strength and Conditioning training just another rebranded form of exercise?
In essence, a resounding Yes!
Weight training is a specific set of exercises, focusing on developing muscular strength, typically using weights. Ironically this style of exercise or training is over 5000 years old and also builds power, flexibility, balance, stamina, cardiovascular fitness and speed!
It is used by clinicians in helping people recover from injury or illness and is also used to develop athletic and sporting excellence.
So which is better?
If you are looking to develop speed or power in a particular discipline or sport, or if you need to improve strength because of age related muscle loss (Sarcopenia) or work on a lack of strength in a particular part of your body, then weight training would suit you better as it can target the area or needs of the individual.
An example of this would be a football player for example, engaging in weight training to improve strength, speed and power on the pitch, specifically focussing on lower body exercises, enabling the person to turn quicker, run faster and perform better throughout the game.
Strength and conditioning will get you exercising, however it has limitations and does not focus on the individual, its rather like a one size fits all approach to being healthy.
If you want to ensure that when you are 80 you are fit, lean, strong and healthy, lift weights in a tailored program designed specifically for you. Top athletes use weight training in conjunction with sport specific training, Hollywood actors lift weights when preparing for movie rolls, so if you are looking for the best results possible, lift weights.
You will probably need a coach or somebody to show you what to do and yes, you will need a program of what exercises to perform for your specific requirements, however you will see results almost immediately, rather than when just doing strength and conditioning training, where sometimes you see no results just injuries!
In essence Weight Training is a tool to help us get fitter, stronger and healthier, often overlooked in todays fast paced world where the secrets of the past are all but forgotten.
Author:
Pete Mayhew
Masters strength athlete
Research professional
Owner and senior coach at Physique
12 x Australian masters powerlifting record holder
4 x World masters powerlifting record holder
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