Which Training Style is Right For You?
Whether you`re just getting started with fitness or you`re looking for a new challenge, finding a training style that you enjoy is the first step to reaching your fitness goals!
It`s so much easier to show up for your workouts when you love what you`re doing. That`s why finding the right training style is key to staying engaged and motivated with your workouts.
Training styles for all experience levels
Whether you just have a pair of workout shoes and a small space, or you prefer training hard at the gym, there`s a training style that can suit any fitness level and exercise preference.
Strength training
Strength training engages the major muscle groups in your body in moderate to higher intensity full-body sessions, or it can employ training splits that target areas like the legs, hip back chest, abs, shoulders and arms.
It`s an ideal training style if you enjoy lifting weights in the gym and can complement cardio-based training styles making it a great option if your goal is to improve your overall health and fitness.
High-intensity strength training
High-intensity strength workouts utilise your bodyweight or weights as resistance and are combined with high-intensity exercises to build strength and muscular fitness.
High-intensity strength training includes a more varied training approach utilising techniques like AMRAP, Tabata and supersets to help increase muscle and endurance. You can train at home using equipment like a barbell, dumbbells or a medicine ball, or use larger equipment at the gym.
Powerbuilding
This form of strength training combines elements of powerlifting and bodybuilding.
According to the International Powerlifting Federation, powerlifting focuses on measuring different areas of strength in three specific disciplines - the squat, bench press and deadlift.
Combining these two training styles may therefore help you to become stronger, lift heavier and increase muscle.
Powerbuilding workouts use gym equipment and a mixture of low repetition and high repetition exercises to build muscle strength and size. The workouts include primary movements which are your main lifts, followed by accessory movements that will help to add volume to your session.
Low-intensity cardio
Low-intensity cardio such as walking or jogging is a great way to start moving your body regularly when you first start working out. It provides health benefits like improving aerobic capacity if included in your fitness routine alongside other training styles at least once a week - even when you start to incorporate more intense workouts.
While low-intensity cardio places less stress on your joints when combined with other training styles in a well-structured workout program, it is still an effective way to maximise the health benefits of enhanced aerobic capacity.
Other forms of low-intensity cardio you might try include cycling or swimming.
Yoga
Almost anyone can try yoga - it can help improve your balance and flexibility, yoga may also help to [reduce stress, lower blood pressure and lower your heart rate."
Pilates
Pilates was first introduced in the 1920s by physical trainer Joseph Pilates to help rehabilitate injured dancers and athletes. Today, the practice has been adapted as a training style to suit anyone who wants to improve their balance, strength and flexibility.
Pilates lengthens and stretches all the major muscle groups in your body in a balanced fashion to help promote a range of health benefits including improved flexibility, core strength and full-body muscle definition.
