Definition of Strength Training:

What is strength training? What is resistance training?

Strength training with hand weights (dumbbells)

The definition of strength training is: Any physical activity or exercise that uses the force of a muscle against some form of resistance to build muscle strength, endurance, and size.

Examples:

• Lifting and carrying heavy objects; using hand weights (known as dumbbells) exemplifies the definition of strength training. Even lifting and carrying children around can be considered a form of strength training!
• Sit-ups and push-ups utilize the resistance of your body to gravity to strengthen muscle.
• The resistance of the water while you are swimming strengthens muscle.

Maybe you're wondering, "Well, what is resistance training then?" The terms "strength training" and "resistance training" are often used interchangeably, but resistance training is actually a type of strength training.

Resistance band strength training

Resistance training specifically uses elastic or hydraulic tension to provide the resistance. Think of giant elastic bands and the hydraulic resistance machines at a gym for examples of resistance training.

Strength training exercises are named "isotonic" if a body part is moving against the force. Using resistance bands or hydraulic resistance would be isotonic.

Strength training activities are "isometric" if a body part is holding still against the force. Simple examples of isometric muscle contraction would be squeezing your butt cheeks together or pulling in and holding your tummy muscles.

When asking,"What is strength training?" and providing the definition of strength training, the difference between strength training, body building and weight lifting needs explaining.

Body building is actually a specific sport where the goal of the participants is muscle definition and shape.

Weight lifting is also a sport with the goal being the amount of weight lifted. You can watch weight lifting competitions in the Olympics.

Strength and resistance training

Strength and resistance training improves the capability of your muscles and bones. Every physical movement that we do uses muscles and muscle groups.

Our entire body depends on our muscles and bones, the skeletal structure, as a strong frame. We'd be amoeba-like blobs without our bone and muscle structure!

Just a few benefits of resistance training - strength training:

• Alleviates back pain that is due to weak muscles.
• Improves metabolism and the body's ability to burn fat for fuel.
• Improves posture! Without strong muscles, we'd look like a slug.
• Improve heart function and increase "good" cholesterol

Hydraulic resistance machine

Doing some regular strength training will help to reverse weakened muscles and alleviate pain that comes from having weak muscles. As you strengthen the muscles in your body, your stamina also improves.

Strength training also increases bone mass and density. If you're afraid of developing weak bones and slouching like the Humpback of Notre Dame, strength exercise is your answer!

I hope that this definition of strength training has given you an answer to the question "what is strength training?"

Cheers,
BB

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