Fitness program vs. weight training program

In the world of sport and fitness, fitness and bodybuilding are two concepts that are often confused. Because, in reality, a fitness program should not be designed as a bodybuilding program. It's all a question of objectives. In this article, you'll discover the fundamental differences between these two concepts and learn how to choose the best solution for your needs.

What is a fitness program?

To stay healthy for a long time, it is essential to work out regularly.

According to WHO recommendations (World Health Organization), adults over the age of 18 should engage in more than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, and perform two muscle-strengthening workouts per week.

Unfortunately, too many people neglect sport, to the detriment of their well-being. When they become aware of the importance of sporting activity, they generally seek to get in shape after several years of inactivity. They call on the services of a sports coach or follow a sports program found on the Internet.

Wanting to get back in shape can hide different motivations specific to each individual: lose weightto get back in shape, to gain flexibility, etc.

The time it takes to get back into shape depends on several factors, including fitness level and diet. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years to get back into shape.

For a sedentary person, with a poor diet and very little physical exercise, it will certainly take several months to reach the target.

A training program A generic workout consists of bodyweight exercises designed to develop strength, cardio and flexibility of muscles, ligaments and tendons. Movements such as squats, push-ups and bodyweight exercises often form the basis of a fitness program.

Complementary activities such as walking, running, swimming or cycling also have their place.

Sample fitness program

You wish to take over a physical activity to feel better?

Here is an example of training program without equipment consisting of 4 workout sessions per week. For each session (except Tuesday), perform 3 to 6 rounds of exercises in sequence (30 seconds of work and 30 seconds of rest). Take a 90 second break between each round.

Monday - upper body

• pumps
• cladding from the front
• dips
• scissors
• side cladding

Tuesday - cardio

• Physical activity of your choice (30 to 90 minutes): running, cycling, swimming, hiking, etc.

Thursday - lower body

• squats
• chair
• ground pool survey
• slots

Saturday - cardio

• jumping jacks
• mountain climbers
• knee rise
• burpees

Remember to warm up before each training session. Also, don't neglect rest days. They are important because they allow your body and your muscles to recover properly.

How does this differ from a bodybuilding training plan?

But then, what's the difference between a fitness plan and a strength training program.

These are not opposites. In fact, weight training can be an integral part of a fitness program.

However, strength training targets more specific objectives such as muscle gain or strength gain. In this sense, practitioners seek to maximize thehypertrophy using a range of strategies. Aesthetics and body symmetry come first. And while this may seem narcissistic at first glance, the fact remains that the cult of the body teaches us to surpass ourselves, and to be confident, among other things.

Training for weight room and progress in bodybuilding involves using weights and implementing the principle of the progressive overloadThis is in contrast to a fitness program, which focuses solely on health and well-being.

Of course, there's no age limit for getting started. For example, it's perfectly possible to start weight training after 50 !