If you wonder why some people at your local Ft. Collins gym are lifting colossal weights while others are working meticulously on defining their muscles, the answer lies in the goal of the individual – that is, building muscle vs building strength.
If you’re new to the fitness world, you might need clarification about the differences between these two approaches. This blog will examine the differences between building muscle vs building strength and explain how you can choose the best approach for your own fitness goals.
The Fundamentals of Building Muscle vs Building Strength
Before we delve into the nuances of these two popular fitness approaches, let’s clarify their fundamental principles:
- Muscle Building (Hypertrophy): This approach focuses on increasing the size and volume of your muscles. The goal is to achieve a visually attractive, symmetric, well-defined physique. This style of training is often associated with bodybuilding.
- Strength Building: This approach aims to enhance your muscles’ ability to exert maximal force. The primary goal is to increase your lifting capacity and raw power. This style of training is often associated with powerlifting.
While both approaches involve lifting weights and can drastically improve your fitness, they target different aspects of muscular development. If you are reading this, chances are that you will benefit from a gym that offers both regimens.
Muscle Building (Hypertrophy)
To start our comparison of building muscle vs building strength, we need to discuss the goals of bodybuilding or hypertrophy. Hypertrophy training is an art form that aims to sculpt your body to its utmost potential. The primary objective is to achieve a symmetrical, well-defined, and visually pleasing physique.
Goal of Hypertrophy Training
The goal of hypertrophy training at a gym is to maximize muscle growth. Reaching this goal involves following specific training techniques designed to maximize muscle growth. Some of these techniques include:
- Drop Sets: You start with a heavier weight and reduce the weight as you fatigue.
- Supersets: You perform two exercises back-to-back without rest.
- Isolation Exercises: These exercises target a specific muscle group.
Typically, the optimal rep ranges for hypertrophy fall between 8 and 12 reps, with rest periods of 60 to 90 seconds to allow muscle recovery without completely cooling down.
Hypertrophy Training Benefits
The point of hypertrophy training is to achieve an aesthetic look with bigger, bulkier muscles. Besides that visual appeal, a muscle-building program will also increase:
- Calorie expenditure
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Lean muscle mass
- Metabolism
- Power
- Strength
Related: Ask a Bodybuilding Expert: Should I Lift Weights Every Day?
Strength Training
Our comparison of building muscle vs building strength would not be complete without discussing powerlifting. This discipline is about enhancing your raw power and lifting capacity, focusing on three primary lifts: the squat, bench press, and deadlift.
Goal of Powerlifting
Powerlifting is about lifting as much weight as possible for a single rep. Athletes who compete in powerlifting competitions have three chances to reach their max weight, and they’re ranked based on age and body weight categories. The winner is crowned by determining the highest powerlifting total, the sum of their best attempts in each of the three lifts.
Benefits of Strength Training
However, powerlifting is not the only goal of building strength. For many more Ft. Collins gym-goers, strength training is all about improving functional fitness, which translates the workouts you do in the gym to your everyday life. Even if you don’t want to powerlift, some of the benefits of strength training include:
- Boosting confidence
- Enhancing athletic performance
- Improving strength
- Increasing bone density and muscle mass
- Lowering body fat
- Reducing stress, anxiety, and fatigue
- Reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases
- Lowering the risk of joint pain and injuries
- Regulating mood
- Revving up your metabolism
Building Muscle vs Building Strength – Complimentary Approaches to Fitness
While building muscle vs building strength may each have their own unique charms, there’s a lot to be said for blending the two for a holistic approach to fitness. Combining hypertrophy and strength training can lead to a well-rounded fitness regimen, resulting in a total body transformation that will benefit you now and in the future.
Benefits of a Balanced Approach
There are at least five benefits combining muscle building and strength building into your gym routine.
- Develop both maximum strength and muscular endurance through a comprehensive approach to training.
- Achieve a physique that is aesthetically pleasing while also being strong and functional.
- Reduce the risk of injury by incorporating diverse training methods that target various muscle groups, preventing overuse injuries.
- Keep your training mentally engaging by incorporating different styles and techniques, ensuring that it remains fresh and challenging.
- Optimize your recovery by alternating between strength training and hypertrophy, allowing your muscles to recover and grow effectively.
Whether you’re aiming for the chiseled aesthetics of building muscle vs building strength and the sheer power that goes along with it, both disciplines have unique benefits. The choice between the two depends on your personal preferences, fitness goals and the gym you choose.
Remember, consistency is vital. The end result is dependent not only on how strong you are or how chiseled you look (although both are key to evaluating your success) but also on how dedicated you are to achieving your fitness goals. And whether you’re flexing in front of the mirror or setting a new powerlifting record, remember that fitness is a journey. Enjoy the process!
Whether Building Muscle or Building Strength is Your Goal, Prodigy is Your Guide
Do you need expert advice and personal training that is just that – personalized for YOUR fitness goals? Come visit us at Prodigy Gym and Fitness in Fort Collins. Our team of local bodybuilding, powerlifting and strength training experts, including our owner Chris Havekost, a former Mr. Colorado, are waiting to guide you on your fitness journey.
Whether you’re interested in weightlifting, body transformation, or both, Prodigy Gym has the best equipment, expertise, and supportive community you need to reach your goals.
Get your complimentary 3-day pass today and start your fitness journey with us!
