Strength Defined

by Jeff Wooten

Believe it or not, there are different kinds of strength.

So, what is the complete definition of strength? Below I will define each of the known categories of strength, and how each is applied.

LIMIT STRENGTH: Defined by how much force you can generate in one all out effort. Every athlete, marathon runners and power lifters, must have a good foundation of limit strength. This is the category of strength that is broken down into CONCENTRIC, ISOMETRIC, & STATIC.

ABSOLUTE STRENGTH: Same as limit strength. The big difference is that there are no external factors involved. Limit strength is how much force you can generate under the most extreme conditions. You can only achieve limit strength if you are taking performance enhancing supplements (legal or not), if you are psyched up emotionally, etc. Absolute strength is how much you can lift without any drugs or psych. Know that most of us will never be able to display our limit strength. Usually the only athletes that need to maximize limit or absolute strength are power lifters.

SPEED STRENGTH: Oftentimes referred to as “power” because power is defined by how much strength you display over a period of time. Athletes such as sprinters must display a high degree of speed strength. There are two types of speed strength:
1) Starting strength
2) Explosive strength.

STARTING STRENGTH: This is your ability to fire as many muscle fibers as possible at once. Think of the sprinter coming out of the blocks. Or think of a boxer snapping out a straight punch. These are examples of maximizing starting strength

EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH: This is your ability to continue to fire your muscle contractions for a period of time. Think of a bomb exploding. When a shot putter throws the shot, he must explode through the movement. This is usually referred to as acceleration.

ANAEROBIC STRENGTH: Meaning without oxygen, an anaerobic activity involves little or no oxygen. Anaerobic strength is the ability to perform at an intense level with little oxygen involved over a period of time.

LINEAR STRENGTH ENDURANCE: A form of anaerobic strength. Here, you sustain an all-out, repetitive, maximum effort over a period of time. An example is a sprinter running a 100 meter dash.

NON-LINEAR STRENGTH ENDURANCE: Similar to linear strength endurance, except there is rest in between the movements. Wrestling in a tournament is an example. The competitor must go all-out for a period of time, rest, then go all-out again several times.

AEROBIC STRENGTH: The ability to perform an aerobic movement or exercise over a period of time is a measure of aerobic strength. Just as with anaerobic strength, there are two types of aerobic strength endurance: Linear and Non-Linear. As I mentioned above, a marathon runner is displaying strength endurance. It is aerobic strength endurance.

There you have it. A complete definition of strength. So, why is it important to you and how will it benefit you in your training? Simple. You must understand the importance of strength, and you must understand what strength is.

Now go out there and kick some butt!

Jeff Wooten, president of The Body Mechanic™, is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMBT #4626), Certified Fitness Trainer and Certified Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning. Wooten has extensive martial arts, power yoga and Brazilian jujitsu training and is certified by The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). He incorporates the healing effects of massage into his classes, teaching group fitness, martial arts, health and fitness, and meeting with clients in their homes for personal training sessions.

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