I’ve been incorporating some short walks into my movement routine for a long time, and recently I’ve been trying to get a little yoga in. I also lift about three times a week, and the combination has me thinking about the difference between exercise and training.
When I think about training, I’m training toward a specific goal. It might be a competition, but it also might be hitting a specific squat or deadlift goal or learning how to do a snatch. When I exercise, it’s not really aimed toward accomplishing something specific. I’m walking to feel better and keep active. I’m doing yoga to get a little mobility, connect with my body, and get some movement in that makes me feel good.
You might think you have to be an athlete to train, but I’d argue that if you have a specific physical goal and you’re taking progressive steps toward it, you’re training.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with exercising without a specific goal. Movement for the sake of movement is valuable all on its own. It improves your health, helps your mood, and gets you out of your chair for a little while. It doesn’t have to “count” toward something bigger to be worthwhile.
That said, I’ve noticed something about myself. Sometimes my motivation to exercise comes and goes. There are days where a walk sounds great, and days where it feels like just another thing on my to-do list. But when I’m training toward something, I find it easier to stay consistent.
I don’t think that’s because training is somehow better than exercise. I think it’s because goals give us direction. When you have a goal, each workout has a purpose. Instead of asking yourself, “Do I feel like exercising today?” you’re asking, “What’s the next step toward the thing I’m trying to accomplish?” Sometimes working towards a specific goal makes all the difference.
The goal doesn’t have to be huge, either. You don’t have to sign up for a competition or become a powerlifter. Maybe your goal is to squat with the next heavier kettlebell than you currently can. Maybe you want to walk a little farther than you do now. Maybe you want to be able to pick up your dog. Once you have a goal, you can create a plan that moves you toward it. That’s training.
Do you need to pivot from exercise to training? Not at all. Especially if what you’re doing is working for you. If you find your motivation goes up and down, or you have a hard time sticking with a movement routine, it might help to give yourself something to work toward.
Maybe what you’re missing isn’t more willpower. Maybe you’re just someone who enjoys having something to work toward. If that’s you, training might feel a whole lot more rewarding than simply trying to “exercise.”
