Geschatte leestijd: 2 minutenEvery athlete who passionately engages in strength training is by definition not necessarily a bodybuilder. Conversely, the reverse is also not true. Not every bodybuilder exclusively engages in strength training. What is the difference between strength training and bodybuilding?
Bodybuilding
The biggest difference between strength training and bodybuilding is that the goal of bodybuilding primarily involves increasing and enlarging muscle mass. Training and nutrition focus on muscle growth. The ultimate assessment occurs during bodybuilding competitions, where the bodybuilder with the largest and most defined physique wins. Unlike strength training, bodybuilding does not specifically aim to improve specific skills. Most exercises are performed to achieve the highest possible hypertrophy within the muscles.
Strength Training
Another major difference between strength training and bodybuilding is that in strength training, lifting heavy weights is part of a larger picture. In most cases, strength training aims to become stronger and develop an athletic body without becoming a bodybuilder. The primary goal is paramount, and strength training can support it. For example, footballers incorporate strength training to develop their leg muscles to be quicker to reach the ball than the opponent. Not every footballer who engages in strength training aims to become a bodybuilder.
Strength Training and Weight Loss
Many people are unaware that strength training is an ideal way to lose weight and achieve a well-toned body. While much time is still invested in cardio exercises such as the treadmill and the elliptical machine, strength training is one of the most effective ways to burn fat and shape the body.
Firstly, engaging in strength training often results in muscle growth. Unlike fat mass, muscle mass is living tissue and requires energy. This means that an increased amount of muscle mass leads to higher energy expenditure, even at rest. While muscles consume energy, fat mass serves as an energy storage.
Secondly, your body expends a lot of energy during high-intensity strength training. Unlike cardio training, where you only use energy during the exercise itself, with strength training, you continue to burn energy after the workout. This is also known as the afterburn effect, or EPOC (Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption). EPOC refers to the energy the body consumes after intense strength training. Therefore, even after the training session, you continue to burn calories, which can have a favorable effect on your weight.
