Working out vs Training

[franklie 0]

As I read the comments of the following thread Harvard bans men from gym during designated hours the thought hit me - For people that go to the gym, do they go there to workout or to train?

Is working out and training the same thing or is there some qualitative/ quantitative difference?

What do you, my fellow VJers, do when you go to the gym?

[Niels Bohr 72]

I think it's a matter of perspective because if you're training, you're preparing yourself. If you work out, you just want to do something.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Well, I don't go to gyms. I run. If I wanted to prepare for a race or wanted to lose some winter fat, I would say, I'm training. If I am only doing it to maintain my fitness level, I'd say, I'm working out.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I don't go to the gym, but not because I'm worried I'll look stupid in front of other people. I'm just too lazy to go. I generally use the excuse of "I'm too busy" which half the time I am. Of course, that doesn't explain the other half.

I can work out easily so long as I'm with someone. Exercising alone is a nightmare and bores me to death. Watching the mile readout on the treadmill slowly count up (or the timer count down, whichever I have it set to at the time) is enough to put me to sleep. I know I could listen to some music, but that's not enough.

I need something interactive! I need something engaging! I need something to get my blood pumping! I need... an argument!

Am I confrontational or what? Wow. The point is I have a lot of trouble working out alone. I can do it, but it's very, very difficult for me.

[~Chad~ 0]

Well, I don't go to gyms. I run. If I wanted to prepare for a race or wanted to lose some winter fat, I would say, I'm training. If I am only doing it to maintain my fitness level, I'd say, I'm working out.

Ditto. That's how I always looked at it. Training is preparing for something, working out is maintaining or trying to improve.

[Nessa 23]

Well, I don't go to gyms. I run. If I wanted to prepare for a race or wanted to lose some winter fat, I would say, I'm training. If I am only doing it to maintain my fitness level, I'd say, I'm working out.

Ditto. That's how I always looked at it. Training is preparing for something, working out is maintaining or trying to improve.

yup. I used to train, now I work out.

[Peikko 1,575]

Agreed, training is preparing one's body for a particular event/series of events/sport. Working out is one way of keeping oneself fit.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Why not give running outdoors a try? I hate treadmills, most boring thing I've ever tried. My favourite thing is to go to a well wooded park filled with long trails, turn on my iPod, and have at it. The only timer I use is I try to be at a certain location by the end of a particular song. As for the alone factor... What motivates me is to see someone well ahead and set a goal to pass that person within a certain distance (well, unless they are 20 years younger and well over my pace!)

I don't go to the gym, but not because I'm worried I'll look stupid in front of other people. I'm just too lazy to go. I generally use the excuse of "I'm too busy" which half the time I am. Of course, that doesn't explain the other half.

I can work out easily so long as I'm with someone. Exercising alone is a nightmare and bores me to death. Watching the mile readout on the treadmill slowly count up (or the timer count down, whichever I have it set to at the time) is enough to put me to sleep. I know I could listen to some music, but that's not enough.

I need something interactive! I need something engaging! I need something to get my blood pumping! I need... an argument!

Am I confrontational or what? Wow. The point is I have a lot of trouble working out alone. I can do it, but it's very, very difficult for me.

Edited March 5, 2008 by Kazan' Tiger

[Peikko 1,575]

If you want engagement/interaction while getting exercise, join a hiking club. When you hike, you can also talk. It's very motivational and most clubs do 'conditioning' hikes, which are essentially short hikes that are over varied/hilly terrain. Our club does them most week nights, even in the dark! The Sierra club however is not recommended if you want to chat, they are very formal/regimented in how they organise. Nothing against the Sierra club, but it's just not very social.

[Jasman0717 9]

I am just trying to keep as healthy as I can with this fat body of mine. I do aerobics type exercises for 35 minutes and then weights for about 25 each work day morning. I haven't been to the gym since I got the flu but hope to go back starting next Monday.

[isleta521 5]

I work out regularly 2 to 4x a week at the gym, but usually I use the term "lift weights". In the summer I like to go jogging or I bikeride up this steep hill near our house which takes about 20 minutes and then I ride my brakes all the way down. Maybe I'm training for the day that gas will be just too expensive.

It is nice when my wife goes with me but she only goes a couple or once a week.

[isleta521 5]

If you want engagement/interaction while getting exercise, join a hiking club. When you hike, you can also talk. It's very motivational and most clubs do 'conditioning' hikes, which are essentially short hikes that are over varied/hilly terrain. Our club does them most week nights, even in the dark! The Sierra club however is not recommended if you want to chat, they are very formal/regimented in how they organise. Nothing against the Sierra club, but it's just not very social.

Thats another thing that I love to do. Go hiking in the mountains!! We have some very close to where we live. A great way to burn calories

[Peikko 1,575]

Thats another thing that I love to do. Go hiking in the mountains!! We have some very close to where we live. A great way to burn calories

Hill hiking, particularly the roller coaster type is a great calorie burn and the biggest plus is that you can't just quit half way like you can on a tread mill if you get bored

[Peikko 1,575]

Woops Posted and gone bad!

Edited March 5, 2008 by Purple_Hibiscus

[Peikko 1,575]

Thats another thing that I love to do. Go hiking in the mountains!! We have some very close to where we live. A great way to burn calories

Hill hiking, particularly the roller coaster type is a great calorie burn and the biggest plus is that you can't just quit half way like you can on a tread mill if you get bored

Ok, not the biggest plus but it is definitely a plus!

Edited March 5, 2008 by Purple_Hibiscus