Imagine being able to carry your own groceries up stairs.  Imagine being able to tackle a difficult hike. Imagine being able to play with your grandchildren. Strength makes these everyday activities feel easy.  Strength, as defined by the dictionary, is “the quality or state of being strong: capacity for exertion or endurance”. What does this mean to the gym environment? Well, the answer will vary depending on what kind of strength you are referring to. Strength is also relative to your body, fitness level, and lifestyle.

What exactly does strength mean in the gym? Strength can be categorized as absolute strength, strength endurance, speed strength, strength speed, and explosive strength. 

What does this all mean? Let’s break it down.

Absolute strength is the most amount of force one can possibly exert. Think of a one rep max; how much weight can a person lift for one repetition.

Strength endurance is how long one can maintain their strength. For this, think of something like a 5k. Every step, a person is theoretically exerting the same amount of force for 5 kilometers. 

Speed strength is the ability to produce the most amount of force in the shortest time possible. An example of this is shot put in track and field. The objective is to throw the weighted ball as far as possible, using the most amount of force in less than a second.

Strength speed is moving moderately heavy weight as fast as possible. This can be pulling a car for a strongman athlete. The athlete is pulling weight that is submaximal, as fast as they can.

Explosive strength is absolute max force production in the least amount of time possible with less resistance than that of speed strength. Think of a broad jump in the NFL combine.

What does this all mean for someone who is just looking to lose some weight and/or stay healthy? Actually, a whole lot. By understanding the different types of strength, you can tailor your training to enhance the aspects of your performance that may be lacking. As we age, our bodies begin to decline in each of these realms of strength. By understanding them, we can reduce and limit our inevitable decline to live a comfortable life.

All of these types of strength matter. It’s all about balance. As we age, it’s important to do resistance, endurance, and stretch training. Find a routine that works best for you, track your results, and stay consistent. Your body will thank you.