Different Types of Weight Training

During weight training often specialized equipment is used in order to target specific muscle groups and types of movement. Weight training is a part of every athlete's training regime.

In this article we will describe three types of weight training known:

• bodybuilding
• weightlifting
• powerlifting

Bodybuilding

Bodybuilding is the process of developing muscle fibres through the combination of weight training, increased calorie intake and rest: it is an act of putting on muscle by working out and shaping diet in a matter to put on more muscle mass. Person that engages in bodybuilding is referred as bodybuilder. Bodybuilding may be done for recreation, for personal appearance or as a competitive sport. As a sport, bodybuilding is called competitive bodybuilding, bodybuilders demonstrate a number of poses intended to accentuate certain muscle groups to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their aesthetic appearance. In such manner, bodybuilding as a sport is not athletic and should not be confused with weightlifting or powerlifting. Reason for that is that is bodybuilding the focus is on muscle mass and bodybuilding aesthetic, and not strength or agility. For that aesthetic part large part of competitive bodybuilders spend half of their trainings perfecting their posing routines.

Many people see bodybuilders bodies as unrealistic, unnatural and pumped up. They actually do pump up their bodies and there are a number of techniques that used for weight gain and shaping muscle mass. There is only a difference whether this is done naturally and slowly through a regular routine, or quickly. Those who gain weight and shape muscles quickly harder gain strength and are often referred as hardgainers.

So, how is it done.

Most common technique requires being able to lift more and more weight each week. There are few techniques focusing on that: for example, some bodybuilders advocate a training program of moderate weight with numerous repeatings, followed by occasional high-weight sets, while others focus on very heavy weights with lower number of repeatings and lower number of sets.

Read More: Cardio vs Weight Lifting

Diet is essential in bodybuilding. Bodybuilder must increase intake of protein, minerals and vitamins. There are many supplements available on the market, some of them contain testosterone or other chemical supplements. Use of those supplements is prohibited in most competitive arenas, moreover they may have serious health-related side effects. Thus best and most natural technique for bodybuilding is proper workout and high-protein diet, combined with plenty rest.