Balancing Training and Working Out
What’s the difference between training and working out? If we are working out, aren’t we training, and if we are talking about the physical concept of training, aren’t we working out? For many people, there is no difference; however, others feel that the similarities between the two are about as far apart as rims in the Grand Canyon.
By definition, “working out” is a structured regimen of physical exercise; whereas, “training” is the education, instruction, or discipline of a person being trained. Comparing both based on these definitions makes sense if we look at going to a gym versus attending a martial arts school. Most people don’t say they are going to work out at their martial arts school, and only a few might express they are going to train at the gym.
When we train in a martial arts class, we are educating and bettering ourselves through structured challenges that create self-discipline. When we visit our local gym and workout, we participate in some form of exercise regimen to build our self-confidence through the improvement of our strength, speed, endurance, and more. Wait a minute, so if we train in a martial arts class, we get better, and if we participate in a workout session, we get better as well? So what’s the difference?
Back in the day, I recall that if I told someone I was “Heading to go train,” they would ask me, “What are you training for?” Since most people don’t say they are going to work out at their martial arts school, and only a few might express they are going to train at the gym, I believe the word training brings with it a sense of purpose. That’s not to say that working out doesn’t; however, it presents itself with a more casual feel when compared to the formal connotations that are associated with the word training.
During the last 35 years, I have probably done less than twenty workouts due to the vast majority of my time training in the martial arts. Don’t get me wrong. I have had plenty of gym visits where I utilized treadmills, recumbent bikes, and more, but these were tools to help prepare me for a specific goal, event, or even to dive deeper into my exploration or martial arts. Of course, the majority of the time, when we train in martial arts or other sports, we are (or should be) working out; however, I find that when we are training, we are moving with intent. This concept gives meaning to every action we take as we aim to achieve a specific goal. A workout can have a goal but doesn’t necessarily need one. So training is better than working out? Neither one is better, which means we should become Ghostbusters and “cross the steams.” To do this, we need to understand two principles that we can learn from training and working out.
If we borrow the principle of intent that we gain from training for any long term goal, we can adapt the mindset that, “All progress takes place outside the comfort zone.” This attitude will create purpose and turn any daily commuter workout into a high-end sports car that can transport us quickly to any destination. If we wire our brains to think this way, we will experience gains from the most random of workout sessions. Best of all, as you embrace this concept, you will come to expect more of yourself every time you show up to sweat during a workout.
It is safe to say that while we are training for any long term goal or event, we will not always be able to push 100%. During this type of journey, we will experience everything from fatigue, boredom, and even what I call the “mid-training blues.” These are days where we must “fake it until we make it,” or at least show-up and put in the time, even though our efforts might be less. The help we need to combat these moments can be found in every day working out. Whether it is taking a walk three days a week around the neighborhood or pumping iron every other day, we feel amazing when we stick to a schedule. This principle of consistency can be built through regular workouts and then borrowed to fuel us during the most challenging of training sessions. Similar to intent, if we stay consistent, we will hunger for it each day, which will give us the incentive to keep showing up even when we don’t feel like it.
When driving down the street, we want to know which way to turn. We worry that if we turn left over right (or vice versa), we will not reach our destination. So should we train, or should we just workout? The answer is simple; we should do them both! As we train for a goal, we find workouts that give us the best results; and as we start working out, we find new goals to set for ourselves. Either way, if we “cross the streams” between training and working out, we can use both the principles of intent and consistency to help guide us through any fog that we might experience. There is no doubt there will be work involved because, “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” After we accept this, all we have to do is remember, life is about balance. Mr. Miyagi said it best. “Better learn balance. Balance is key. Balance good, karate good." Finding our balance will give us the stability to stay off the comfy couch, and also not become a "gymholic," while still crushing goals.
The experiences we gain from this approach cannot be learned by reading this or watching instructional videos. It only happens through the sweat we produce while consistently moving with intent.
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