Training Fundamentals 101

When it comes to training, it is vitally important to know the basics. To have a good understanding of what it takes to get the results you are chasing in the gym. 

Training comes in a large variety of forms including strength training, muscle building and cardiovascular training. 

In this article, we will discuss the different styles of training and the benefits of each. This will give you a better understanding of which style will be most beneficial for you.

Styles of training

Strength Training-

 The purpose of strength training is in the title, it is to improve strength.

 Strength training involves using heavy weights with the goal of producing the most amount of force. 

As a general rule, you will be performing explosive movements, between 1 and 5 repetitions over 3-5 sets. Between each set, there will be anywhere between 2-10 minutes of rest between sets, depending on the individual strength level.

Quite often strength training revolves around your 3 main compound lifts:

• Squat 
• Bench Press
• Deadlift

Strength training day example- Push Day

Muscle Building- Training to build muscle, otherwise known as Hypertrophy training, involves using moderate to heavy weights, with the goal of creating as much muscular stress as possible, thus increasing the size of your muscles.

 Hypertrophy training has a  more controlled nature then strength training, Hypertrophy training is most effective when performing the entire movement in a controlled manner, both in the concentric phase (up) and the eccentric phase (down) of the movement.

Generally, the 8-12 rep range is considered to be the most effective, the rest between sets varies from  30 seconds to 2 minutes. 

Hypertrophy Training Day Example- Pull Day

Cardio-

 The purpose of cardiovascular (CV)  training is to improve your physical fitness and overall health. Cardiovascular training includes any activity involved in conditioning your heart, lungs and circulatory system.

 On top of cardiovascular training improving heart and lung health, CV  training is a great tool for weight management, burning calories and shedding excess kg’s off your body.

Some examples of CV training include; 

• Walking
• Jogging
• Running 
• Rowing 
• Cycling 
• Circuit training

Some of the top pieces of gym equipment associated with CV training include a stepper, treadmill, rower, assault bike, or cross-trainer.

It is generally recommended to perform at least 30 minutes of cardio training, 5 days per week

Types of Cardiovascular Training

Free HIIT Training Circuit Example

• 1 circuit
• 3 rounds

• 1 minute rest between rounds

Training Styles General Guide