Is strength training only lifting weights?

bowbeforethoraxis

I feel silly having to ask this, but what exactly counts as strength training?

I've been doing a couple pilates and les mills bodyflow classes, where you're using your own bodyweight as resistance and whatnot, so can that count as strength training?

wideeyedla

Yes

fannyfrost

Lifting is not the only type of strength training. The classes you mention are strength training as well. Yoga can be as also

glutesandabs

I would say that you can count bodyweight stuff as strength training as long as you up the intensity/ add weights in time. Most people start with bodyweight training, then progress to weights.

There are many ways to keep it challenging (try pistol squats, for example).

contingencyplan

Body weight training can be strength training. But there has to be a progressive format to it. Those classes don't have that.

phjorg1

I feel silly having to ask this, but what exactly counts as strength training?

I've been doing a couple pilates and les mills bodyflow classes, where you're using your own bodyweight as resistance and whatnot, so can that count as strength training?

bodyweight can be used for strength training. but not in the examples you listed..

strength training is maximal load compound movements where you hit total muscle failure in ~5 reps or less.

IronSmasher

No, but strength training can be done with any resistance that is great enough.

DawnEH612

strength training training achieved by working dynamically against high loads or statically against fixed resistances. In both cases the forces involved must be such that relatively few repetitions are possible without a substantial rest period. A sustained strength-training programme will progressively increase the loads and number of lifts over a period of months, the exercises being performed in several sets, each embodying a specified number of repetitions. In the first 2-3 months the main improvement in strength is attributable to increased recruitment of motor units within the pre-existing muscle mass (the 'neural phase' of strength training); thereafter, increase of muscle fibre diameters is the major factor ('hypertrophic phase'). aka resistance training. See also weight training.
Dictionary of Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine by Churchill Livingstone © 2008 Elsevier Limited. All rights reserved.

Lupercalia

Body weight training can be strength training. But there has to be a progressive format to it. Those classes don't have that.

This.

Progressive increases are the key.

girlie100

Body weight training can be strength training. But there has to be a progressive format to it. Those classes don't have that.

definitely this

RunnerElizabeth

Body weight training can be strength training. But there has to be a progressive format to it. Those classes don't have that.

This is right. I use the You Are Your Own Gym program. It is progressive. When I first started I couldn't do 2 full pushups with good form and now I can do at least 12. So I've moved on to close grip pushups and pushups with my feet elevated. I will be moving to one arm shortly.

The problem with this is that because of my flexibility and balance issues there are some progressions I'll never get to. So when I get to my limits or when race season is over, I'll cut back on running and do a progressive lifting program at the gym.

contingencyplan

To expand on what progressive means, basically this in a nutshell:

As you get stronger, you need to do something to continually increase the difficulty of the exercise so that you keep challenging your strength. And no, simply adding more reps doesn't cut it. You need to make the exercise itself more challenging while keeping to roughly the same rep range. As long as you are able to continually do this, you are able to continue to grow stronger, and thus, it is strength training. Bodyweight based strength training can, depending on your perspective, be either the most efficient or the least efficient. The reason is because, with bodyweight work, progressing doesn't just mean increasing the load. It means continually moving on to variations of the exercise that are more challenging for not only your strength, but also your balance, flexibility, coordination, and control. Some see this as a good thing, because it means that you need to focus specifically on your weaknesses before you can progress, leading to a more well rounded base of fitness. Some see it as a bad thing, because it means progression itself ends up coming at a much, much slower pace than simply being able to pile more weight on that barbell.

waldo56

Bur it really doesn't come at a slower pace.

The only major bodyweight strength movement that requires balance and flexibility are single leg squats.

Incidentally there are muscles involeved with balance that most are very weak in (glute medialis, vastus medialus, toe strength) that single leg squats will strengthen, balance will only be a limiting factor for a few months as these muscles are strengthened; during that time the prime movers can get extra work using something like a chair or bench to do box squats with.

Flexibility also can be a limiting factor, but you are using a form of active flexibility, not passive flexibility. Active flexibility is developed by using your muscles in the extremes of ROM, not with static stretching. In other words, nothing will improve your flexibility for doing single leg squats like simply doing single leg squats will.

Most advanced bodyweight exercises require brute strength and little else.

But as others have stated, the answer to the OP's question is no, those type of bodyweight exercise are not strength training as there is no progressive overload.