Functional Strength training Vs Bodybuilding

Being involved in the strength and bodybuilding world for the last 20 years, including 14 years in the health club and personal training business, has given me a very unique perspective on a trend that’s been taking place recently. It’s one that’s somewhat disturbing to we, the dyed in the wool “old school” bodybuilders. Quite simply, we are being attacked! We are being accused of training “all wrong!” Those machines we use? Utterly worthless. The leg press? Non-functional. Our strength? Pathetic compared to our size. Our speed? Bwahhhh haa haa ha! Our flexibility? Like taffy at the north pole. “Big, slow, weak, stiff, bloated, useless muscles” – that’s us – the bodybuilders.

 

Or so says a certain group of vehement strength and athletic coaches. One well-known strength guru even went as far as saying, "The worst thing to ever happen to strength training was bodybuilding." But is having a big bench press really that bad?

 

Well, after being “picked on” for a long time for being a “vain” bodybuilder only interested in how I look (not caring about my athletic abilities), I figured it was time someone finally tackled the “functional” strength training versus “cosmetic” bodybuilding issue head on. 

 

In this article, you will learn the answers these questions: What is “functional” training? What is “cosmetic” training? What’s the difference between the two? Should bodybuilders train like athletes? Should athletes train like bodybuilders? Will the two ever meet in the middle? How should you train if you’re just an “Average Joe” (or Jane) who wants to look good, feel good, play recreational sports and stay injury free? Do you listen to the heavily-muscled bodybuilding champ at your local gym, or to the strength/athletic coach?

 

Truth is, bodybuilders really can learn a thing or two from strength athletes, but ultimately, neither bodybuilders nor strength athletes have a training methodology superior to the other. Each is simply training to achieve the specific requirements of their respective sports – and those requirements can be very, very different indeed.