Strength training, often known as resistance training, is the process of working your muscles against resistance to increase their size and strength. It’s an essential aspect of any exercise routine.
Strength training is commonly linked with lifting weights; we picture the weightlifter at the gym pumping iron. But strength training can be done in an alternative way. You can use what is known as “calisthenics,” which involve resistance provided by your own bodyweight.
Although both weightlifting and calisthenics are kinds of strength exercise, the consequences are somewhat different. The best option for you is ultimately determined by your fitness objectives.
Continue reading to find out which choice is best for you. We’ll look at the distinctions between calisthenics (bodyweight) and weightlifting, as well as the advantages of both.
The Differences
Bodyweight Training, otherwise known as “calisthenics,” is the activity of using your body weight to perform specific exercises under the force of gravity, without any equipment or added weight.
The most common bodyweight exercises are push-ups, squats, pull-ups, lunges, muscle-ups, and dips.
On the other hand, weightlifting involves using barbells, dumbbells, and machines to create resistance.
The squat, deadlift, and bench are the three fundamental exercises in weightlifting and a benchmark for strength!
Suppose you are wondering which type of training is superior. In that case, wonder no more. Both types of exercise are effective and can be utilized to leverage strength and muscle gains!
However, which one is superior depends on the context and the individual’s goal, so let us take you through the advantages and disadvantages of both types of training.
The Benefits Of Calisthenics (Bodyweight)
Bodyweight training is, most of all, an excellent way to establish fundamental strength and muscular development.
Being able to lift your own body weight before moving on to raising heavier weights kind of makes sense.
This fundamental relative strength can allow you to ease into weight training and maximize your potential for physical development.
The drawback of calisthenics is that it gets too easy, too quickly, because you’re working with just your body weight.
In less than three months to one year, pull-ups, push-ups, and dips can become relatively easy, and you need to add more weight to keep progressing.
Another option is to learn more complex movements like handstands, planche, front levers, and others. Still, if your PRIMARY goal is to gain strength and grow your muscles, this approach is perhaps enough.
The Benefits Of Weight Training
In the context of maximizing growth and strength potential, weight training appears to be the king here.
The principle of both types of training is the same – Creating resistance. However, with weight training, the resistance and muscular tension are generated by an external force, making everything far more intense.
Additionally, weight training can help you seamlessly target muscle groups that you can hardly work on directly, with just your bodyweight calisthenics.
This implies that in terms of aesthetic development, weight training is superior.
Weight training allows you to do more intense work. You can quickly increase the resistance by adding extra weight to the bar or picking heavier dumbbells.
Which One Should YOU Choose?
Here’s a wild idea – You can combine both types of training but focus more on the one that resonates with your goals best.
Do you like explosive bodyweight movements that look cool? Go for the monkey bars and bodyweight training.
Are you looking to maximize your strength and muscular development? Opt for a gym membership.
As simple as that!
Final Thoughts
The human body is capable of a LOT, and it has plenty of potential lying within. It’s just a matter of YOU taking the necessary action to unlock that potential and realize it.
Whether you choose to engage in bodyweight training or just go to a gym, you won’t be in the wrong!
Both of these types of training offer tremendous benefits and can help you develop a robust and muscular body.
Start somewhere, see what you like better, whatever gets you closer to your goals, and focus on that!
Stay strong.