Both different.
Both useful.
For me, ‘Training’ is a structured programme to produce a clearly defined goal.
A ‘Workout’ is an exercise session for the purpose of exercising. Not usually with a specific goal.
Most people don’t progress when they are just doing random work outs, or they do initially, but without a progressive structure – gains usually plateau.
A serious of random ‘Workouts’ will produce random results.
A ‘Training’ programme should be a clear path to a clear goal.
You can use both with your approach to training.
For example, over the holiday period – if you just focused on getting ‘Workouts’ in, this can be productive.
Sometimes the constraints and pressure of trying to follow a strict ‘Training’ plan is too overwhelming at certain times of the year.
Sometimes life gets in the way and you might not be in the mindset to stick to a ‘Training’ programme.
Sometimes you just need to get in to the gym and do a ‘Workout’, try out something, take on a challenge.
If all you ever did was random workouts 3-5 times a week for a lifetime, you would probably be in a good position health wise.
If you tell me that you want to lose X amount of body fat or lift X amount of weight on the Deadlift – then you need to follow a ‘Training’ plan.
If any aspect of your training stalls from doing ‘Workouts’ then you probably need to ‘Train’.
I use both with myself and my clients.
I love following a ‘Training’ plan for a period of weeks, seeing progress and achieving an outcome.
I also enjoy nothing more than sticking a ‘Workout’ on a whiteboard and getting stuck into it.
Neither are right or wrong, good or bad.
The key is knowing when and where to use both approaches.
Coach Milligan 