Please explain the labels for fitness and strength goals

lorrpb
lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm having difficulty translating my personal fitness goals into the labels used for various types of workouts and routines. I want to be stronger and have more endurance in my everyday life activities for work and fun. I have made more progress than I ever thought possible the last 2+ years under the guidance of trainer. Now I'm on my own and I am having trouble picking a routine based on my goals because the lingo used seems to pigeon hole everything.
I don't care the number of the weight I can lift, I don't care if I can ever lift my body weight, let alone 3 times my weight, for the sake of doing so. "Strength" based programs seem focused on lifting massive amounts of weight as quickly as possible, apparently because it's easier to do so when young. Well, I'm not young anymore, so speed of progress is not an issue in and of itself.
I don't care about increasing my muscle mass or appearance for appearance sake. "Hypertrophy" or "muscle mass" based programs seem focused on this. What is the purpose of "hypertrophy"?
"Endurance" programs seem focused on high reps without progressing the weight or strength that much.
Why do you have to pick one goal? What is a program called that focuses on all these areas for practical, functional purposes?
Confused.
Thanks for any insight you can share.

Replies

  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    My goals are very similar to yours. I do my own version of 5x5. I only increase the weights when I feel ready, usually after doing sets of 6 a few times to make sure I'm ready. I've added glute bridges or hip thrusts to the routine and only lift twice weekly I also do a lot of cardio (for endurance). Lots of kickboxing, treadmill incline walking, running bleachers, hi/lo aerobics, and try to get a long run once weekly.

    Lifting programs may not be specific to your goals, but you can make them work for you by making small changes.
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    I strongly ;) recommend reading a book called New Rules of Lifting for Women. I have read the men's version and it lays out various plans and really allows you to focus on what is important to you. It cuts through the jargon and really explains things.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    DancingMoosie wrote: »
    My goals are very similar to yours. I do my own version of 5x5. I only increase the weights when I feel ready, usually after doing sets of 6 a few times to make sure I'm ready. I've added glute bridges or hip thrusts to the routine and only lift twice weekly I also do a lot of cardio (for endurance). Lots of kickboxing, treadmill incline walking, running bleachers, hi/lo aerobics, and try to get a long run once weekly.

    Lifting programs may not be specific to your goals, but you can make them work for you by making small changes.

    Thank you, it makes me nuts when the programs say Do Not Change Anything, Follow Exactly as Written, and many posters here echo that!
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I think some of that ideology comes from thinking that newbies don't know what they're doing and running your own program can lead to imbalances. If you are already familiar with a program, but need to tweak it to your individual needs, go for it. You can always ask for advice if you run into problems or have questions.
  • canadianlbs
    canadianlbs Posts: 5,199 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    Thank you, it makes me nuts when the programs say Do Not Change Anything, Follow Exactly as Written, and many posters here echo that!

    i always take it to mean you can deviate if you want, but you can't expect the sames kind of results if you do. i always tweaked stronglifts just to keep it from burying me, so i guess i make my own calls about which package labelling applies to my needs.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories