What is Strength
Do you ever get to the gym and just watch what everyone is doing? It is fascinating to watch. Groups are naturally segregated throughout the gym
People doing some form of cardio usually in their “area” where the multiple forms of it are located. treadmills, elliptical, rowers, stairclimbers and the works!
There are groups of bodybuilders spread throughout the gym. A fascinating sport that takes amazing amounts of discipline.
You now have sections of gyms for members doing some form of CrossFit training whether or not they call it that.
You have thr group training area. Cycling, kettle bells, yoga, strength and stretch and the works.
Sub cultures within the gym culture. Amazing to watch and be a part of no matter what group you belong to.
Being a huge gym nerd has lead me to reading. Lots. About training and the various ways to do it. The one area that has stood out the most is strength training. Regardless of what you are training for strength will help improve it.
For reference lets start with a definition of strength from Vladimir Zatsiorsky:
“Strength, or muscular strength, is the ability to generate maximum external force.”
According to Zatsiorsky in his book “Science and Practice of Strength Training”, there are three methods to gain strength or maximum muscular tension.
- Maximal Effort Method: Lifting a maximum load (exercising against maximal resistance);
- Repeated or Sub-maximal Effort Method: Lifting a non-maximal load to failure; during the final repetitions the muscles develop the maximum force possible in a fatigued state;
- Dynamic Effort Method: Lifting (throwing) a non-maximal load with the highest attainable speed.
The last two methods are not normally thought of as ways to contribute to strength. As you can see these three ways open up the possibility of endless ways to train strength.
I will be writing weekly articles on more detail of each strength method and how to incorporate them into your training.