Stronglifts vs Functional training?

Mollie007
Mollie007 Posts: 73
edited January 3 in Fitness and Exercise
I was talking to a personal trainer about strong lifts. He hadn't heard of it before but was talking to me about functional training. Does anyone know anything about that??? What is the difference?

Replies

  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    you would have to define 'functional' training for us.
  • lsiberian
    lsiberian Posts: 69
    Stronglifts is a strength training program that emphasizes compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, bench press with steady progressive overload.

    Functional training typically aims improvement for a sport or general daily activities. For example basketball players use a jumping machine to increase their vertical.

    Both are good approaches and can be complementary.

    Stronglifts is great for starting lifters. Just be aware that proper form is a must in lifting.
  • n0ob
    n0ob Posts: 2,390 Member
    Deadlifts, squats, presses, rows, and cleans are all functional strength. Also basing workouts on these compound lifts cuts out the need to extra "core" work.

    For a basic strength training program designed to get you stronger, stronglifts is pretty good, and is vastly superior for a novice to take and use (without unrequired help) than many of the workouts I see our trainers doing in my gym.

    I'm not really sure what "fuctional training" the trainer is referring to.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Strong lifts as a program that most people who lift weights have heard of.

    Functional training used to mean something, but has now become a buzzword to throw about when you don't know what you're talking about. Used to promote anything from training with rope/strapping to vibration platforms.
  • UticaBoy51
    UticaBoy51 Posts: 344 Member
    I do strong lifts, it has work much better for me than "functional" training. However, that doesn't mean it is better. It is just working for me... and I love it!
  • quietcoral
    quietcoral Posts: 64 Member
    i think both methods work, but it depends what you are looking for. Strong lifts give you powerful muscles that are more fast twitch and for power. Less endurance. Functional training is about using less weights and working more on always using your whole body... like arms, legs and core are all engaged. Focuses more on balance, endurance and strength for everyday living. Both approaches are good, just depends what you want from a workout program. Physical therapists tend to do more "functional training" and it is a good approach for someone like me that has a knee injury and cannot lift heavy weights at the moment.
  • FullOfWin
    FullOfWin Posts: 1,414 Member
    Try doing some heavy squats and deadlifts and see how many muscles are engaged
  • Mollie007
    Mollie007 Posts: 73
    I want whatever is going to burn fat more efficiently and whatever is going to allow me to do it by myself, as I can't afford a trainer 3 a week. Basically, I just need someone to tell me - this is what you need to do, and I'll do it. My hope was that I could pay for a trainer a few times to get the form down and learn how to do things properly, and then go on my own. Is this realistic? I basically know zilch about strength training. I do a lot of cardio, but know that I need to start incorporating weights, i just truly have no clue how to go about it.
  • quietcoral
    quietcoral Posts: 64 Member
    Well, in my opinion, you will probably maintain/gain more muscle lifting heavier weights which in turn will help to burn more fat etc. You could learn to do either program alone, although with the heavy lifts you may need a spotter sometimes. I personally have grown to really like functional training though because my balance is a lot better and I have gotten stronger. But you will get stronger with either program.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    I'd start with finding a trainer who knows thier business. This one is obviously clueless or has been living under a rock for the last few years.
  • FullOfWin
    FullOfWin Posts: 1,414 Member
    I want whatever is going to burn fat more efficiently and whatever is going to allow me to do it by myself, as I can't afford a trainer 3 a week. Basically, I just need someone to tell me - this is what you need to do, and I'll do it. My hope was that I could pay for a trainer a few times to get the form down and learn how to do things properly, and then go on my own. Is this realistic? I basically know zilch about strength training. I do a lot of cardio, but know that I need to start incorporating weights, i just truly have no clue how to go about it.

    Sure. Look at this http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/686963-large-collection-of-info-for-beginners

    and do this http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=147447933
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    I'd start with finding a trainer who knows thier business. This one is obviously clueless or has been living under a rock for the last few years.

    Yeah. Stronglifts is a pretty well known program. I would be leary of any professional trainer that had never heard of it.
  • jesz124
    jesz124 Posts: 1,004 Member
    I want whatever is going to burn fat more efficiently and whatever is going to allow me to do it by myself, as I can't afford a trainer 3 a week. Basically, I just need someone to tell me - this is what you need to do, and I'll do it. My hope was that I could pay for a trainer a few times to get the form down and learn how to do things properly, and then go on my own. Is this realistic? I basically know zilch about strength training. I do a lot of cardio, but know that I need to start incorporating weights, i just truly have no clue how to go about it.

    Personally if I was you I would do some research on the net about strength training before either deciding to hire a trainer or going it alone. Have a look at different beginner programmes and try and decide which you think is more suitable for your goals. Don't just let a PT decide for you, look into it yourself. Strong lifts 5 x 5, New Rules of Lifting for Women are 2 programmes I have tried personally and can recommend them both. You can google the exercises and watch on you tube, maybe when you have decided what to follow then involve a trainer to teach you good safe form.
  • Plates559
    Plates559 Posts: 869 Member
    So if I want to get better at doing squats, deadlifts, and bench press, and I decide to do Strong lifts as my training program.

    If I get stronger/better at doing squats, deadlifts, and bench press was my training not functional?

    Functional training just means that at the end of the day its going to help you get closer to your goal.



    So guess what. Curls can be functional, smith machine quarter squats can be functional, 2.5 pound upright rows done on a bosu ball can be functional.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I want whatever is going to burn fat more efficiently and whatever is going to allow me to do it by myself, as I can't afford a trainer 3 a week. Basically, I just need someone to tell me - this is what you need to do, and I'll do it. My hope was that I could pay for a trainer a few times to get the form down and learn how to do things properly, and then go on my own. Is this realistic? I basically know zilch about strength training. I do a lot of cardio, but know that I need to start incorporating weights, i just truly have no clue how to go about it.

    Sure. Look at this http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/686963-large-collection-of-info-for-beginners

    and do this http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=147447933

    I used to know a guy that would direct a lot of people to this thread.....
  • testease
    testease Posts: 220
    My strength traing has helped me become more functional in life.

    WTf is functional training, grocery bag squats? Tupperware OHP?
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I want whatever is going to burn fat more efficiently and whatever is going to allow me to do it by myself, as I can't afford a trainer 3 a week. Basically, I just need someone to tell me - this is what you need to do, and I'll do it. My hope was that I could pay for a trainer a few times to get the form down and learn how to do things properly, and then go on my own. Is this realistic? I basically know zilch about strength training. I do a lot of cardio, but know that I need to start incorporating weights, i just truly have no clue how to go about it.

    Sure. Look at this http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/686963-large-collection-of-info-for-beginners

    and do this http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=147447933

    I used to know a guy that would direct a lot of people to this thread.....

    I have been thinking the same thing. I haven't seen that guy in a while. Hmmm...
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I want whatever is going to burn fat more efficiently and whatever is going to allow me to do it by myself, as I can't afford a trainer 3 a week. Basically, I just need someone to tell me - this is what you need to do, and I'll do it. My hope was that I could pay for a trainer a few times to get the form down and learn how to do things properly, and then go on my own. Is this realistic? I basically know zilch about strength training. I do a lot of cardio, but know that I need to start incorporating weights, i just truly have no clue how to go about it.

    Sure. Look at this http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/686963-large-collection-of-info-for-beginners

    and do this http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=147447933

    I used to know a guy that would direct a lot of people to this thread.....

    I have been thinking the same thing. I haven't seen that guy in a while. Hmmm...
    .

    nah.......couldn't be. or could it? naaaaaaaah
  • FullOfWin
    FullOfWin Posts: 1,414 Member
    I bet that guy was full of win
  • Plates559
    Plates559 Posts: 869 Member
    Yes, I would agree that guy is "full of win"
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    I bet that guy was full of win

    lol!
  • Bakkasan
    Bakkasan Posts: 1,027 Member
    I was talking to a personal trainer about strong lifts. He hadn't heard of it before but was talking to me about functional training. Does anyone know anything about that??? What is the difference?

    One of the most well known and respected programs and he hasn't heard of it. Special!
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    I want whatever is going to burn fat more efficiently and whatever is going to allow me to do it by myself, as I can't afford a trainer 3 a week. Basically, I just need someone to tell me - this is what you need to do, and I'll do it. My hope was that I could pay for a trainer a few times to get the form down and learn how to do things properly, and then go on my own. Is this realistic? I basically know zilch about strength training. I do a lot of cardio, but know that I need to start incorporating weights, i just truly have no clue how to go about it.

    Strong Lifts is a good canned (that's not a duragotry term) work out program and you won't go wrong there.

    You can also go get "New Rules for Lifting (for Women)" at the library. I don't agree with some of his takes on cardio. BUT, if you're trying to find your way around a weight room. It's a good starting place.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I bet that guy was full of win

    :wink:
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    I want whatever is going to burn fat more efficiently and whatever is going to allow me to do it by myself, as I can't afford a trainer 3 a week. Basically, I just need someone to tell me - this is what you need to do, and I'll do it. My hope was that I could pay for a trainer a few times to get the form down and learn how to do things properly, and then go on my own. Is this realistic?

    This is a little unrealistic, only because trainers do *not* want to teach you how to *not* use them. They have more job security if they just tell you what to do and watch you do it. If they taught you a plan that allowed you to stop using them, that's bad for their employment prospects, huh?

    The Strong Lifts program has a free iPhone app and it is very easy to gather info on MFP boards from friendly people who are willing to help. That's what I did when I wanted to begin lifting. There's no reason you have to use a trainer, and in my experience, they are tight-lipped when it comes to actually teaching you how to be independant from them.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I want whatever is going to burn fat more efficiently and whatever is going to allow me to do it by myself, as I can't afford a trainer 3 a week. Basically, I just need someone to tell me - this is what you need to do, and I'll do it. My hope was that I could pay for a trainer a few times to get the form down and learn how to do things properly, and then go on my own. Is this realistic? I basically know zilch about strength training. I do a lot of cardio, but know that I need to start incorporating weights, i just truly have no clue how to go about it.

    Strong Lifts is a good canned (that's not a duragotry term) work out program and you won't go wrong there.

    You can also go get "New Rules for Lifting (for Women)" at the library. I don't agree with some of his takes on cardio. BUT, if you're trying to find your way around a weight room. It's a good starting place.

    There is also a lot of great information in that book. I recently finished reading it. I also do not entirely agree with him on cardio and will not be taking the diet advice either. But I learned a lot from it about weight training.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    My strength traing has helped me become more functional in life.

    WTf is functional training, grocery bag squats? Tupperware OHP?

    You know what? I noticed this myself just yesterday when I came home with the groceries. Also, this was discussed in New Rules of Lifting for Women. The author talked about how strength training is beneficial to everyday life and how we should choose exercise that improves our lives, not just to get big biceps or whatever.
  • T1mH
    T1mH Posts: 568 Member
    Be clear from the start of what you want. If you want them to teach you a program then you need to tell them that. Some trainers like to constantly mix it up. They'll be looking to give you a balanced work out but make it different each time. This will make it difficult for you to follow. Instead after they get you going, set up a once a month appt. with them. That way they have the incentive that you'll keep coming back. After a couple months you probably won't need them or you can change it to a 3 month check in or something.

    The most important thing is to be clear of what you want. FWIW the trainers in my gym don't know what strong lifts is either and it's very disappointing.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I bet that guy was full of win

    Not sure what he was full of, but he always seemed determined.
  • n0ob
    n0ob Posts: 2,390 Member
    So this determined guy...is he full of win now because of his own accord, or did someone push him to his new heights?
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