Strength and conditioning training aims to improve fitness through a structured program that can include weight lifting, cardiovascular exercise, injury prevention, and recovery. Weight training can prevent injury and improve performance, while cardio can focus on endurance or speed. Proper recovery and nutrition are also important components.
Strength and conditioning training is a broad term that describes the process of attempting to increase fitness through a regimented program. It can include a variety of features that can vary widely by program. These features may include weight lifting, cardiovascular fitness exercises, and injury prevention. Training tends to be used more often for athletes and to improve sports performance, but it can also be customized for non-athletes to promote overall fitness.
One of the key components that most strength and conditioning training routines have in common is weight training. Lifting weights can not only help a person become physically stronger, capable of moving heavier objects and beating opponents, but it can also help strengthen bones and prevent injury. Weight lifting routines can be especially helpful in preventing bodily injury in athletes who play sports that require a hard or sudden landing, such as sprinting or physical contact, such as basketball or football. Having a higher percentage of muscle mass can also help burn fat and result in a leaner body that can move faster and outrun opponents.
Strength and conditioning training can also focus on cardiovascular exercise. The exact goal can be different, depending on the sport or goal a person has in mind. For example, some athletes may work with trainers to extend their cardiovascular endurance so that they can perform consistently over a long period of time. Other athletes may want to train to be able to perform cardiovascular activity in faster, more powerful spurts. Coaches will generally alter the type of routine to jogging or running depending on whether the goal is endurance or speed and agility, and will instruct athletes in proper running form and breathing techniques to help acclimate their bodies to the specific cardiovascular goal. .
Another possible aspect of strength and conditioning training is proper recovery. Recovery refers to the process the body takes to relax and heal itself after strenuous physical activity. If athletes attempt to engage in a vigorous strength and cardio routine without allowing time for adequate recovery, they may be at risk of injuries, including joint and muscle pain. A balanced strength and conditioning routine will generally space out weight lifting and cardio to allow the body to recover.
Some strength and conditioning workouts may conclude with specific nutritional advice. A trainer may recommend a diet high in whole grain carbohydrates and lean protein to provide a quick energy boost and longer lasting energy. If a specific weight goal is indicated, such as losing body fat or gaining muscle mass, a trainer can make nutritional recommendations based on that goal.
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