What is Conditioning?

Bigger Stronger Leaner
1

When speaking about ‘strength and conditioning’, what exactly is the definition of conditioning?

2

In his book The Texas Method, Justin Lascek defines conditioning as “a) the act of stressing the structures to withstand new types of forces and b) improving the use and delivery of substrates to supply energy to the muscles”

Pretty damn good definition if you ask me.

3

See this is where the definition of conditioning becomes confusing to me. Part A of that definition sounds more like a definition for ‘strength’. Would you be able to elaborate on those definitions at all? Also, in your opinion, do you think conditioning relates to anything more than the efficiency of the energy systems? Could it possibly involve things like obtaining a beneficial BF% for the specific sport the athlete is involved in?

Thanks for giving a great answer to the question and hopefully starting a bit of a conversation on this topic!

4

[quote]RobDobBob wrote:
See this is where the definition of conditioning becomes confusing to me. Part A of that definition sounds more like a definition for ‘strength’. Would you be able to elaborate on those definitions at all? Also, in your opinion, do you think conditioning relates to anything more than the efficiency of the energy systems? Could it possibly involve things like obtaining a beneficial BF% for the specific sport the athlete is involved in?

Thanks for giving a great answer to the question and hopefully starting a bit of a conversation on this topic![/quote]

The two previous sentences before those two in the book are “Strength is the fundamental capacity for human performance. Using strength to develop the structures and systemic capabilities is summed up as conditioning”. So I can see how that sounds like strength to you, as according to the definition conditioning is derived from strength.

I think that obtaining a beneficial body fat percentage would be an effect of conditioning, not conditioning in itself.

5

We learn best by example:

If you can squat 1000lbs but one 10 metre prowler Sprint leaves you gasping for air for 15 minutes. You’re a strong motherfucker but your conditioning is shizen

If you can push that prowler for 30m, every minute for 20 minutes but squat 315 you’d have rock star conditioning but shitty strength

6

Thanks tanto, that makes sense