When we work out in the gym, we do so with different goals and targets in mind.
Some of us want to burn fat, some of us want to get fitter and healthier, whilst others want to bulk up and build muscle.
Nowadays, however, more and more people are training for functional purposes rather than simply for aesthetic purposes. In basic terms, this means that people are working out so that their bodies can become more functional in day to day life, rather than so they can simply look good.
Strength training such as Powerlifting or Strongman training, for example, is now more popular than ever, with more and more people choosing to hit the weights so that they become fitter and stronger.
Whereas before, the main reason why people chose to lift weights …show more content…
– If you compare the physique of a competitive bodybuilder with that of a powerlifter, you’ll notice right away that there are some very stark contrasts between the two body types.
The bodybuilder obviously trains to look his absolute best, because that’s what his sport is all about. During the contest season he will be lean, vascular, muscular, toned, and extremely defined with very low body fat percentages.
The powerlifter on the other hand, will generally be muscular, but carrying a lot of mass and size, generally with a much higher body fat percentage.
To help you get your best numbers during your lifts, you need to eat, and eat well! If you’re serious about improving your strength, you will need to be consuming a lot of calories, well above normal maintenance levels, so if the thought of losing your six pack fills you with feelings of dread and despair, perhaps you should stick to bodybuilding instead.
Don’t use this as an excuse to eat junk, however, as your diet should still be made up of plenty of quality proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats along with plenty of fresh fruits and …show more content…
Reverse pyramiding – When it comes to strength training, one of the most effective things you can do is a technique known as reverse pyramiding, in which you will perform the heaviest lifts per exercise, at the start of each exercise rather than at the end.
When most people train heavy, they’ll begin with a lighter set, go heavier, go heavier again, and then usually end up with an even heavier set.
The idea behind reverse pyramiding however, is to begin with the heaviest set first, when your energy levels are at their highest, after you’ve warmed up of course, which we’ll cover shortly.
So basically, once warmed up, you’ll perform the heaviest set first, then will go lighter, then lighter, then lighter, and so on.
More sets, less reps – Another very effective strength training strategy is to perform more working sets, but with less
Some of us want to burn fat, some of us want to get fitter and healthier, whilst others want to bulk up and build muscle.
Nowadays, however, more and more people are training for functional purposes rather than simply for aesthetic purposes. In basic terms, this means that people are working out so that their bodies can become more functional in day to day life, rather than so they can simply look good.
Strength training such as Powerlifting or Strongman training, for example, is now more popular than ever, with more and more people choosing to hit the weights so that they become fitter and stronger.
Whereas before, the main reason why people chose to lift weights …show more content…
– If you compare the physique of a competitive bodybuilder with that of a powerlifter, you’ll notice right away that there are some very stark contrasts between the two body types.
The bodybuilder obviously trains to look his absolute best, because that’s what his sport is all about. During the contest season he will be lean, vascular, muscular, toned, and extremely defined with very low body fat percentages.
The powerlifter on the other hand, will generally be muscular, but carrying a lot of mass and size, generally with a much higher body fat percentage.
To help you get your best numbers during your lifts, you need to eat, and eat well! If you’re serious about improving your strength, you will need to be consuming a lot of calories, well above normal maintenance levels, so if the thought of losing your six pack fills you with feelings of dread and despair, perhaps you should stick to bodybuilding instead.
Don’t use this as an excuse to eat junk, however, as your diet should still be made up of plenty of quality proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats along with plenty of fresh fruits and …show more content…
Reverse pyramiding – When it comes to strength training, one of the most effective things you can do is a technique known as reverse pyramiding, in which you will perform the heaviest lifts per exercise, at the start of each exercise rather than at the end.
When most people train heavy, they’ll begin with a lighter set, go heavier, go heavier again, and then usually end up with an even heavier set.
The idea behind reverse pyramiding however, is to begin with the heaviest set first, when your energy levels are at their highest, after you’ve warmed up of course, which we’ll cover shortly.
So basically, once warmed up, you’ll perform the heaviest set first, then will go lighter, then lighter, then lighter, and so on.
More sets, less reps – Another very effective strength training strategy is to perform more working sets, but with less