One of the lesser recognised benefits of strength training is getting practice at setting a specific goal, and chipping away at a systematic plan to get to that goal. In a world where a lot of things can be outside of our control and where, on a daily basis, we are bombarded by information and distracted at every turn, a simple training plan and being in control of making small amounts of progress toward the training goal can be a welcome refuge. During training, it is just you and the barbell or the heavy backpack (in the case of strength training) – simple – lift, rest and repeat.
In addition to that, working toward a goal with a training plan teaches us stickability – an important skill in a fast-paced world where new things capture our attention all the time and very little is consistent. People who set goals and work toward achieving them also tend to develop a stronger belief that they have what it takes to achieve the goal. This in turn leads to increased wellbeing.
Strength training goals and the typical training plans to achieve those also have what science tells us are the important characteristics of good goals. The result or goal is reasonably specific and measurable, it is performance or process based and strength training usually involves the principle of goal assessment along the way. In other words, you are likely to make a judgement on whether to grab the heavier dumbbell or to put another book in the backpack for your walk up the hill based on how you have been going this week. Finally, if you are a real pro, then you will have a fall-back plan for when life derails your training. You might train in the evening if you have an early morning meeting or your little one(s) interrupted everyone’s sleep and you did not manage to get up for your morning session.
Also, unless you’re training for something like a bodybuilding competition, you are most likely to train because you enjoy it and it makes you feel better, rather than because it might make other people better of you. That is, you have internal rather than external goals and this is associated with greater levels of happiness. It is also likely that you have a goal of looking or feeling a specific way rather than not looking or feeling a specific way – or in other words, you have what are known as ‘approach reasons’ rather than ‘avoidance reasons’ and this typically leads to higher level of happiness. If, on top of that, you made the decision to train (also known as autonomous goal pursuit) rather than you taking up training as a result of a healthcare provider, a family member or friend telling you to (the external type of goal pursuit), you are onto a winner.
If you are keen to learn more about training for strength over the next months, keep an eye on this spot, follow me or subscribe to the blogpost. Also, feel free to reach out to me via my website to arrange for a free call to see whether you would like to work with me one on one in rehabbing an injury or getting you underway toward a health goal. I look forward to hearing from you.
References (for the extra keen)
Bandura (2012)
Ehrlich (2023)
Gold & Vory (1995)
Gollwitzer & Sheeran (2006)