1/4 Hour Neuro #36: "Why Do We See Strength Training More Than Fitness Training?"

Welcome to the episode

Welcome to this new episode of "1/4 Hour Neuro" where we tackle a common question from our community: why do we see more content about strength training than fitness training on social media? We will decode the reasons behind this trend and explain the importance of a balanced approach to physical preparation.

The Predominance of Strength Training on Social Media

On social platforms, strength training is often favored. It's more "exciting" to showcase heavy weights and impressive performances. The foundational work, the less flashy routines that build a solid base, are not always visible.

This phenomenon is further accentuated by the unique dynamics of social media, where a visually impactful element is often needed to grab attention. Some sports, like combat sports or CrossFit, do highlight fitness training more, proving that this emphasis also depends on the disciplines and trends of the moment.

However, overall, the "look at me" aspect of strength training prevails, overshadowing the underlying hard work.

Strength vs. Fitness: A Question of Balance and Priority

The question isn't whether strength is more important than fitness, but rather how they relate to each other. Weightlifting and muscle strengthening are essential tools that enhance overall performance.

However, they do not replace well-developed fitness, which is the foundation of everything. For an athlete, the goal is to sustain a high-intensity match, with quality effort repetitions. Strength supports this.

If it improves sprint starts, that's excellent, but it must meet a specific need on the field and fit into an overall periodization plan.

The Neuro and Safety: A Fundamental Lens

From a neuro perspective, the central question remains safety. Whether for sprinting, endurance, or strength, it is crucial to ensure that the approach is safe.

This often involves working on reflexive instability and considering proprioception, aspects that are at the core of intelligent physical preparation.

The Flip Side of Social Media: Decontextualization

Social media, while great for sharing information, has a major drawback: decontextualization. A video lasting a few seconds or minutes only shows a snapshot of work that may take months.

You don't see what was done before or what will be done after. An exercise may be very effective in a specific context for a given person, but that doesn't mean it's universally applicable.

We regularly conduct assessments that take us an hour to identify the detail that will make a difference for an individual. Such processes do not always lend themselves to a short, impactful format for social media, which favors immediate and spectacular results.

A Concrete Example of the Importance of Foundational Work

A very strong coach and martial artist complained about a grip weakness on the right side. After a simple test, the difference in strength between his left and right hands was striking.

In just 30 seconds, with a small eye and vestibular exercise, followed by sensory tactile work with my keys, his grip strength improved significantly. This example illustrates how powerful targeted interventions can be, even if they are not always "Instagrammable."

In conclusion, while strength is highly visible on social media, it is often an illusion created by the format and trends. Fitness is the foundation, and strength work is a complement to it.

The important thing is to have a balanced, structured, and safe approach that meets the specific needs of the individual and their discipline, far from the glitz of social media.