Working Out vs. Training

Are you working out or are you training? You probably don't think there is a difference between the two. Well, I do.

To me a working out is done just to get a sweat and burn some calories. There is no thinking behind it. No regard to movement patterns, exercise selections or set/rep schemes. There are no real specific goals when doing a workout. Get in the gym. Do some exercises, what ever they are. Feel like you worked and then call it a day. This is what most people do. And this is why most people fail to see any results from working out.

Training, on the other hand, involves setting specific goals and then setting a time frame for those goals. Weaknesses are taken into account and worked on. Movement patterns are considered. Balance within the program is considered. Exercises are not prescribed just for the hell of it. Each exercise is chosen for a reason. The set/rep scheme scheme is chosen for a reason. Progression is emphasized from session to session. Evaluation of your training is constantly going on. And hopefully after all these things are considered, results will follow.

Hopefully you can now see the difference. If you just want to sweat and get your heart rate up, keep working out. If you want results, start training.