Many people initially enter the gym with the thought of training so that they can look better and be healthier. After their initial gains, they may soon discover that the two goals (looking better and being healthier) are not always related. Sometimes, behaviors that lead to looking better and better (or performing at higher and higher levels) will lead to diminished health. Let's learn more!
Appearance
If you train for looks, then a few factors need to be considered. You seek greater muscle mass and lower body fat. You want to intake as much protein as possible, and train with weights for 3 to 5 hours per week. Cardiovascular training should be limited to 4 sessions per week of 20 to 35 minutes. You will want to focus on skin tone, tan, and other aspects, but your number one goal will be to add muscle! The use of performance enhancing supplements will come in to play in the early years, and steroids may be used down the road as you reach your natural potential for growth.
Performance
Training for performance can be completely different. Powerlifters will pile on the fatty foods each day in order to gain weight so that they can move the most possible weight. They aren't concerned with how they look or if they are healthy - the number of pounds they move is the only factor that concerns them. Some of the fattest and more uncomfortable people are able to lift the most weight in the world. A trade-off is certainly present there.
Health
People who train for health will often fall way short of their appearance and performance training brethren. They won't want to burden their central nervous system with hours of heavy weight training, so they aren't going to add any appreciable muscle mass. And since they are concerned about their joint health, there is no way they are going to want to load up 400 pounds on the bar for maximum weight squats. So you can toss those powerlifting goals right out the window!
Finding a balance
The top bodybuilders in the world are very much not healthy. The top runners in the world have poor knee health. The top powerlifters in the world are obese with high blood pressure in the world. But the top 'healthy' physiques in the world sure aren't packing that much muscle, either! The key to success in looking better, training better, and performing better is to determine your goals as early as possible. It may end up becoming a mix of these three exclusive elements. But you will need to decide which of them will be your primary focus.
Once you make that decision, your task will be to train with that end in mind, while at the same time keeping an eye on the other two factors. If you're training for health, then it's okay to use a few supplements or push yourself to lift more. If you're training for performance, it's good to watch what you eat and keep an eye on your midsection. Avoid extremes and your results will be positive and well balanced!
Dane Fletcher is the world's most prolific bodybuilding and fitness expert and is currently the executive editor for BodybuildingToday.com. If you are looking for more bodybuilding tips or information on weight training, or supplementation, please visit www.BodybuildingToday.com, the bodybuilding and fitness authority site with hundreds of articles available FREE to help you meet your goals.
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