Not all training is equal. You could put in the same amount of effort but get very different results. This is especially obvious when we look at aesthetic training protocols and functional training protocols. Yes, both training protocols make use of strength training, but the training methodology and results are very different.

Differences Between Aesthetic and Functional Training

Surely increased muscle mass results in great strength gains and if so, then surely aesthetic training makes sense? It certainly does, to a point. The goal of aesthetic training is to look good and to achieve that the training focuses on increasing the size of large muscle groups that are very visible. The so-called mirror muscles. While this will increase your strength it has a low carry over to everyday life activities. It is rare to need a bicep curling movement, unless you are trying to look good on the beach.

Functional training on the other hand focuses on getting stronger in movements that are similar to daily activities. As Mirafit athlete and Britain’s Strongman 2020 Champion Adam Bishop explains…”the deadlift is a great functional training exercise that is easily transferable to life. Essentially you are picking a deadweight off of the floor which is something that you do a lot in life.” In short, functional training can be explained as an exercise that helps improve your strength and quality of movement in an everyday task or sporting movement.

Why is Strongman a Great Foundation for Functional Strength?

Most traditional strength training requires you to move through a single movement plane. For example, a bench press involves you pushing a bar forwards and back. However, most movements in daily life require movement through all three of the movement planes. This is where functional training comes in. It generally requires you to move through two or three planes. This makes Strongman training ideal for increasing functional strength as well. To be a Strongman, you don’t just need to be incredibly strong, but you also need to be strong in multiple directions. Lifting an Atlas stone doesn’t just require you to lift a heavy granite ball from the ground but also requires you to maintain your posture and rotate the body to place the stone.

The Importance of Measurable Goals

Adam Bishop trains with the mantra of always trying to achieve goals rather than worry about failing a goal. This is what helps motivate him to break through to the next training level. Adam also emphasises the importance of measurable goals. He explains that selecting bigger, unrealistic goals sets you up for failure, leaving you to become discouraged and losing interest with training.

When you think of training goals, the common examples would include increasing the amount of weight that you are training with or increasing the number of reps you complete. But as Adam mentions, “Goals can include lifting weights faster or with better form than previously. Seeing progress motivates you, shows you that your program is working. All the little wins show that you are progressing and improving.” The take home message of this is to set small realistic goals that are measurable. If they are not measurable you won’t know if you are improving. And even if you are only achieving small goals, a number of small goals will become a big achievement rather than setting one big goal which is unrealistic and results in one big failure.

Strongman training isn't just for the incredibly strong to show off their feats of strength by pulling trucks. It is also a great way of increasing functional strength training that can improve your everyday activities. Start with small goals and keep yourself motivated and progressing to the next level. And if the aesthetic side of training is important to you, then I will leave you with what Adam Bishop says is his biggest piece of advice: “To focus on the training and focus on the lifting and keep improving and if you are focused on the aesthetic side of training the improvements will come from the training itself.”

Want to get started on your own fitness journey? Learn more about what functional training is in our guide.

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Tags: Exercise Type > Strength ; Exercise Type > Strongman