--- title: Can You Do Bodybuilding Workouts as an Athlete? description: Do you have to stray away from bodybuilding workouts and lifting heavy just because you are an athlete? Here are some tips to help you decide. image: https://cityfitnessphilly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/bigstock-Three-muscular-athletes-liftin-96500480-e1455236707241.jpg --- [![City Fitness](https://blog.cityfitness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CF_WORDMARK_HORIZONTAL_SOLO_BLK-1.png?width=5039&height=701&name=CF_WORDMARK_HORIZONTAL_SOLO_BLK-1.png "City Fitness")](https://cityfitness.com) [![Blaire Rummel](https://blog.cityfitness.com/hubfs/blaire.jpg) ](https://blog.cityfitness.com/author/blaire-rummel) # Can You Do Bodybuilding Workouts as an Athlete? [fa icon="calendar"] Feb 11, 2016 7:32:25 PM / by [Blaire Rummel](https://blog.cityfitness.com/author/blaire-rummel) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://cityfitnessphilly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/bigstock-Three-muscular-athletes-liftin-96500480-e1455236707241.jpg) ](https://blog.cityfitness.com/can-bodybuilding-workouts-athlete/) 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? ![bodybuilding workouts](https://cityfitnessphilly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/bigstock-Three-muscular-athletes-liftin-96500480-e1455236707241.jpg)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.](https://cityfitnessphilly.com/5-quick-tips-to-help-you-build-muscle-fast/) 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](http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/wotw44.htm), 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](https://cityfitnessphilly.com/the-10-best-muscle-building-foods/) 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! [![free-5-class-pass](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/687259/debbe86c-195c-420d-8914-7a8c77442667.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/687259/debbe86c-195c-420d-8914-7a8c77442667) Topics: [Training](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/training), [Weight Lifting](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/weight-lifting) ![Blaire Rummel](https://blog.cityfitness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blaire.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=blaire.jpg) #### Written by [Blaire Rummel](https://blog.cityfitness.com/author/blaire-rummel) Blaire Rummel co-owns a woman’s fitness facility and blogs for several gyms across the country. She has been personal training since 2005. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She has a personal training certification from NASM and a certification in Functional Movement Systems. She has been trained and specializes in TRX training as well. She played Division 1 softball where she was an Academic All-American and has competed in several fitness competitions over the past decade. She resides in Oregon with her husband and 4-year old daughter. Please enable JavaScript to view the [comments powered by Disqus.](https://disqus.com/?ref_noscript) ## Never miss one of our blogs again! Subscribe to our weekly blog posts to stay educated on the latest fitness tips and trends to stay healthy. [![5 Group Fitness Class Pass](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/687259/352de2d4-07e1-4577-b01f-5660c7c1a499.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/687259/352de2d4-07e1-4577-b01f-5660c7c1a499) ### Posts by Topic - [Fitness (25)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/fitness) - [Exercise (16)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/exercise) - [Health and Fitness (12)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/health-and-fitness) - [Training (12)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/training) - [Diet (11)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/diet) - [Nutrition (9)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/nutrition) - [Cardio (5)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/cardio) - [Fitness Goals (4)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/fitness-goals) - [Motivation (4)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/motivation) - [Weight Lifting (4)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/weight-lifting) - [Weight Loss (2)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/weight-loss) - [Workout Routine (2)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/workout-routine) - [workout clothes (2)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/workout-clothes) - [MYZONE (1)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/myzone) - [Workout tips (1)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/workout-tips) - [fitness tips (1)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/fitness-tips) - [workout inspiration (1)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/workout-inspiration) - [yoga (1)](https://blog.cityfitness.com/topic/yoga) Copyright 2026 City Fitness Philly | All Rights Reserved [[fa icon="chevron-up"]](https://blog.cityfitness.com/can-bodybuilding-workouts-athlete/#)