Are you “Training” or Just “Working Out”?

Any type of movement could be considered a ‘workout’ to some degree. Even a 5 minute walk can be called a ‘workout’.

Even though it is very low intensity and duration, it’s still some form of work beyond just resting.

In order to make a real change in your muscle size and strength you need to be ‘training’ and not just ‘working out’.

Training requires a plan, a timeline, a goal, and specific exercise intensities.

Unless you’re following a program with all of the above elements built into it, you’re most likely just working out and not really ‘training’.

John

 

 Are You Training or Just Working Out [46:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

1. 

   Ty says:

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   Finally someone is talking about rest between sets. You were talking about 2 minute rest between sets, I would suggest that even that is quick. My normal rest time ranges from 3-5 minutes. No one at the gym rests as long as myself and it’s rare to see anyone writing anything down. I have two folders full of old programs that I still refer to. Good podcast…

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   Chris R says:

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   Another awesome podcast! I basically started working out about 2 1/2 years ago after my son was born. It was from looking at all the baby pictures and wondering who the puffy guy was holding my son!

   I have stayed pretty consistent (with the exception of the odd month or so hiatus now and again) but I definitely struggled to see results after about 6 months. I lost about 10lbs and noticed great gains initially, but then they just tapered off. I basically spent about a year and a half regularly going to the gym and just “working out” with no real goal or clear purpose. Stagnated. Obviously your program has a clear, well-defined goal, and the workouts are specific and laid out in front of you for the next 9 months. Even still, no workout plan can explain to you how hard to work. It helps to know that no one ever achieved real muscle gains without continuously striving to increase their work volume and to consistently train “out of your comfort zone”. It sounds simple but so many people just don’t push hard enough. I’ve noticed more gains in 4 weeks on this program (and with a workout journal) then I did over the last year and a half of “floundering” in the gym. Awesome podcast!

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   TJ says:

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   Hey guys,

   I’m hoping you could comment on my circumstance. I’m in my late twenties and never really have done much resistance training. I’ve had a hard time recovering from workouts, particularly squats. Even on non squat days I almost always feel like I can’t do another workout the next day because of soreness. But with squats I feel like I’m walking around like an old man for the next 4-5 days and this is on tiny weights (20lbs dumbells).

   Do you think this is because I’ve never done any signifiant resistance training before and my body is just adjusting? How would you explain the soreness after squating only 40 lbs? I’m thinking this cannot be my “edge.” That would be pathetic.

   Another thing is I don’t take creatine, maybe that would help with recovery.

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4. 

   John Barban says:

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   TJ,

   It’s probably just a conditioning thing. Most likely you’re just not used to it yet.

   If you add in another leg training session each week you might find that you start recovering faster and aren’t as sore.

   If you’re doing the Adonis Index program try adding in a second leg training day per week. Just copy the leg workout you are on for the week and do it again about 3-4 days later.

   Your legs will probably start getting much stronger and get used to the volume…and you’ll most likely stop getting as sore.

   Let me know how it goes.

   JB

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5. 

   Jorge says:

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   I’m glad to hear what you guys were saying about not being able to feel a burn or anything with the low rep ranges. I thought maybe they weren’t intense enough, so I’d always be puzzled when I couldn’t do anymore even though it feels like I should be able to, especially when I feel lightheaded or puke afterward. I always wondered if it had something to do with my diet, but now it seems that it’s just the intensity. One thing that really helps with the puking is to not eat anything for a few hours, and don’t drink a lot of water before or during.

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6. 

   Michael H says:

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   Hey Brad,
   Does the AI manual help to build real world strength, such as picking someone up and pressing them above your head or running 8mi without feeling that bad? I really would like to build ultimate strength while also looking good. I was asking this because working out really should be about improving your health and body, right?
   Thanks,
   Michael

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     John Barban says:

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     Mike,

     Yes working out is about improving your health and body, but I don’t see what either has to do with strength. With that said you will also get stronger as that is an essential component of progressive resistance training.

     JB

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7. 

   Michael H says:

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   EDIT: Hey John,…..

   Sorry about that!

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