If you’ve been involved in fitness for a while, you’ve probably noticed that there are different styles of working out. Some people focus solely on their cardiovascular fitness and endurance. Others prefer bodybuilding, focusing on isolating muscle groups and building muscle to achieve a certain aesthetic. And then there are athletes, training to strengthen their performance and overall ability.
So when I’m asked by athletes if they can do bodybuilding workouts, or when I’m asked by bodybuilders whether they can incorporate athletic training into their regimen, I try to look at this question from a few perspectives. Ultimately, it depends on your specific goals, fitness level and ambition.
Can Athletes Perform Bodybuilding Workouts?
Most bodybuilding workouts focus on building muscle mass, and movements are typically done in one plane. Emphasis isn’t usually placed on movement, but rather muscular development.
While this is okay to a certain extent, if athletes only do bodybuilding workouts, they’re undoubtedly setting themselves up for injuries, muscular imbalances and suboptimal performance during their events.
Athletes usually don’t need a lot of muscle mass, and they must train in multiple directions, lateral and rotational, to best perform in their sport and prevent injury. Training should incorporate a variety of speeds, angles, and planes as well as modalities to best mimic their sport of choice.
If you’re an athlete and want to do some bodybuilding workouts, focus on compound movements and supersets to maximize strength and challenge your entire body during your session. And never omit your sports-specific training from your weekly program if you’re a competitive athlete wanting to improve your performance and keep your body at its best!
