When it comes to training, I mostly see two dominant perspectives:
Muscle-based: Exercises are categorized based on which muscles they target.
Movement-based: Exercises are classified by movement patterns.
I personally prefer the second one. It’s a simple, foolproof way to ensure balanced muscular and joint development. And at a broad level, it makes sense. Most major lifts fit neatly into movement pattern categories:
Bench Press - Horizontal push.
OHP - Vertical push.
Rows - Horizontal pull.
Pull-ups - Vertical pull.
Squats - Squat pattern.
Deadlifts - Hinge pattern.
But how are these patterns actually define?
If we take the bench press and gradually increase or decrease the angle, at what point does it stop being a ‘‘horizontal push’’?
For most people, would it make sense to have separate categories for incline and decline presses, or are they just variations of the same movement pattern with similar effects?
And if we only stick to horizontal and vertical push categories, at what point does an incline press stop being a horizontal push and become a vertical push?
Same with pulling and leg movements. DB Row, Pendlay Row and Upright row are all technically rows, but are they really the same thing?
Generally but not absolutely. Plenty of people get even more buggered up with that general minimalist mindset. Think movement overuse patterns.
I don’t think it makes sense…for the vast majority of people.
Unless this is purely an argument on verbage or philosophy, you’re over thinking all of this. It speaks to the “paralysis by analysis” that’s so common now due to availability of information.
I’m just engaged by your thinking though so don’t take the above as criticism at all. Ive been in that space as a younger man. That’s my, let’s say, opposing view in a Socratic dialogue😆
When it comes to Powerlifting- we generally use the movement pattern to dictate the course of the workout.
I would not consider a Decline or Incline Bench Press, DB Row etc. as part of the main movement pattern. I look at it as something for Targeted Strength Development.
Personally, These accessories would be Muscle Based, and the Big 3, which would include it’s similar variations (Paused Squat, Deficit Deadlift and Close Grip Bench as an example), I would consider Movement Based. It’s specific enough to consider it similar to the competition lifts.
Something like an incline bench is somewhat similar but starts going from being specific to being something that is used for weak points.
