Every athletic characteristic pertaining to those who train is also a “characteristic of the body”. E.g. strength, endurance, flexibility, etc…

“People who train are primarily trying to improve their performance. They are pursuing something, a number or reps, a weight, a time, but they are after something that is slightly more objective than “looking good”.”

No they aren’t. What about physique athletes? They’re pursuing a very objective, specific goal. In fact, appearance is far more objective than things like strength or endurance.

Can you tell by merely looking at someone that they’ve improved their flexibility? Chances are, you can’t.
Can you tell by merely looking at someone that they’ve gone up 15% in one of their lifts? Chances are, you can’t.
Can you tell by merely looking at someone that they’ve added 15% more muscle mass than they had before? Yes, you sure can.

Appearance is the single most objective training goal out there and that’s why it makes for a fantastic goal for people who are serious about training.

I see far more people out there who set vague goals for themselves centered around “getting stronger”, “feeling better”, “improving endurance” rather than simply coming right out and saying that they need to improve their appearance. “I need to lose 5% BF, lose 3 inches off the waist and put an inch or two on my arms and chest”. Now *that’s* a specific, trainable goal.

“Most people who workout do so fairly consistently.”

No, they don’t. Most people who workout are fairly inconsistent, because it doesn’t mean anything to them if they have to postpone or reschedule a workout for another day. You have it backwards here.

People who train are the ones who have a set schedule and adhere to it religiously. That schedule may very well change as their program evolves, but so long as they’re on any given program, they will make every effort to stick to it.

The bodybuilder knows that if he misses leg day, his whole week is ruined. The bubbly workout lady has no such thoughts upon skipping a day.

Once recovered, people who train would generally have a greater capacity for work than those who do not workout as intensely.

As I understand it, the amount of oxygen that is pumped through the body is determined by immediate need. A fitter person will be able to move more O2 than an unfit person and therefore be able to perform more work but when each individual requires the same amount of oxygen, the body will deliver the same amount of oxygen regardless of fitness level.
Thanks,
Pat

I’m not clear how someone could have any problem with this piece as it is a comparison of behaviours and objectives between two different groups and, based on my observation as a trainer, strength coach, fitness instructor and fitness enthusiast that people who approach their workouts with more intensity get better / faster results. I’ve been in both groups and these were the differences I notices when the switch flipped.

I’m not making a value judgment on either group, I’m stating my observations and my understandings about the topic.

Mental health, well that’s something completely different .

You are increasing your strength and your speed… no doubt. But what is your motivation? Your purpose? Your goals? People who have committed themselves to “train” — as opposed to working out — typically have those. For example, to be a better football player (to earn a scholarship, to get drafted higher and make more cash), to win a tournament or race or competition, etc. And we seem to agree that there is a very small percentage of people who would qualify for “training”.

I’d imagine there’s a VERY small fraction that “train” (peak optimal health/performance)… just for the sake of training. And we seem to agree that it’s fair to say that only 5% of the population have made professional or personal choices that warrant “training”.

Either way… it wouldn’t be fair to compare anybody that’s training against those that are working out. To each (ie. motivation) their own.

And I guess that’s my problem with your premise (or at least as I understand it)…. you’re comparing people who train to those that “work out”… and saying that those that workout are “making small progress because they have a lack of intensity”.

Absolutely. And there’s simply NOTHING wrong with that. Their motivations and priorities are COMPLETELY different than those that have made a choice to “train”.

“Good health” and “self image” are completely different from “optimal health”. I mean… “optimal health” - besides people whose career necessitates it - for what purpose? “Quality of life”? “Longevity”? That could be a whole different philosophical argument altogether.

“Good health” is a fantastic goal in itself And that could be achieved through moderate exercise and a good diet. Physical health is great…. but there’s also a helluva lot more to life than that

Happy mental health bro’

A broad statement. I’d imagine if we polled a variety of athletes who “trained”…. we’d get a more specific reply.

For instance… a competitive weightlifter would want to increase strength. A professional bodybuilder would want to increase muscle mass. A professional athlete would want to improve the results in their specific sport. I’d imagine a very very small minority simply train for the sake of training — without attempting to accomplish a goal.

Are you every going to share with your audience what your “purpose” is?

“Working out” is sufficient for 95% of the population. A very small percentage of people are required to train.