It’s the weekend, and you and a friend meet up for a three-mile run. Yesterday you did a twenty-minute AMRAP that got your heart rate up and left your legs feeling a little shaky. Tomorrow you’re thinking that you’ll do another twenty to thirty-minute workout. But maybe a run depending on how you’re feeling.
Making time for physical activity does a lot for your health and well-being. But when we take a closer look at your physical activity and each individual workout, are you training? Or are you working out?
Training and working out are actually two very different things that lead to two different outcomes. Here are some differences between training and working out:
Working Out
Focus
When you’re working out, the focus is more general. Actually, it might be more accurate to say that there is no focus. Are you burning calories and moving? Yes. But there is no specific focus or intention behind each of your workouts.
Goals
If you’re working out, then it’s possible that you’re lacking a specific goal. Or, you might be trying to work toward multiple goals at the same time. One day you’re chasing a 1RM, and the next day you’re working toward a half marathon.
Daily Workouts
What does it look like when you show up for a workout? Do you go through the motions? What does the workout itself include? Is there a long-term plan, or do you just do what you feel like? If you’re going through the motions and doing whatever you feel like, then you’re working out.
Technique (and Strength)
Technique might be one of the last things you think about when you’re working out. And rather than taking some time to improve your form and build strength, your workouts leave you generally weak and moving with poor or sloppy technique.
Now, let’s compare working out to training.
Training
Focus
When you’re training, the focus is on getting results. Every workout that you do is aimed at getting closer to the outcome you want. And that intentional focus means that you leave the gym after a workout feeling like you’re getting one step closer to that outcome.
Goal
Training means that you’re working toward a specific, singular goal. It also means that you might have to prioritize what you want to work toward and set aside some goals for a future date. Once you specify your goal, make sure to share it with your coach.
Daily Workouts
When you’re training, you no longer get to do whatever you feel like for your workouts. Yes, this means that some days won’t be as fun. You won’t want to do certain movements. It might hurt more than you want it to. But sticking to your plan and your goal is necessary for training because that’s how you get results.
Technique (and Strength)
Training requires moving with good technique. Slowing down your movements to build strength and improve your form is how you get better every step of the way. It also helps reduce your risk of getting injured.
At Cannon Fitness and Performance in Houston, our focus is on training over working out. To learn more about the programs we currently have to offer, contact us today.