Understanding Farms Strength vs. Gym Strength

Lift 80-pound bales of hay. Tend to livestock. Walk, push, pull, carry, throw. Fix things. Eat a hearty dinner at the end of the day — meat and potatoes. No protein shake or creatine. No bench press or squat rack. Just physical conditioning brought on by manual labor. This concept is often referred to as “farm strength” and compared to “gym strength.” Someone might have an anecdote about their friend’s dad being able to lift more weight than them even though he’s never set foot in a gym — he just spent his whole life doing physical work. RELATED: The Emotional Benefits of Working Out But is being farm strong better than being gym strong? The discipline, hard work and consistency it takes to set goals, get stronger with each lift, eat clean and sculpt your physique can be just as impressive as the idea of being strong in a rugged way. The truth is, there are benefits and lessons to learn from both types of strength. So let’s unpack them: ‘Farm Strength’ vs. ‘Gym Strength’ The idea of being “farm fit” may be inspired by the lifestyle of farmers, but it refers to a broader concept: you can be in great shape through activities performed in daily life, such as a job that keeps you on your feet. RELATED: How to Get Six-Pack Abs “Farm strength really focuses on functional movements. It allows you to build strength in ways that will benefit your natural movement throughout the day. It enhances your ability to be fit in ways that make an impact on your daily life,” according to Antonio Harrison, virtual reality fitness coach at Supernatural. “Gym strength,” on the other hand, is cultivated in a more controlled setting. “It supports specific physical development and goals like bodybuilding or endurance training,” says Dr. Chris Mohr, fitness and nutrition advisor at Fortune Recommends Health. That said, you can train functionally in the gym too. Being “farm strong” may translate into a ripped physique — or it might not. Having a bodybuilder’s physique may help you move a large piece of furniture — or it might not. It depends on different factors. For example, results can plateau when you do the same thing day-in-day-out, whether at the gym or outside of it. You may get big biceps from performing isolation exercises, but that won’t help you be as strong as incorporating compound movements such as deadlifts into your routine. Strength can also be impacted by your flexibility and mobility, whether you’re a farmer or powerlifter. In other words, things aren’t so black-and-white when it comes to the “farm strength” versus “gym strength” debate. “Both [types of fitness] increase your strength and shape your body composition in different ways,” adds Harrison. Pros and Cons of ‘Farm Strength’ Being “farm strong” comes with several upsides — and you can take cues from them even if you don’t actually have a physically demanding job. “Gym enthusiasts can learn quite a bit from the ‘farm fit’ philosophy. Integrating exercises that replicate everyday tasks can build not only aesthetic strength but practical strength too, which is useful in daily life and helpful in preventing injuries,” says Mohr, who adds that variety of movement is another important benefit of “farm strength.” There’s also the fact that being “farm fit” often involves time spent outdoors, which can reduce stress and improve your mental health. “You may not even think of it as exercise.” adds Mohr. However, staying active because of certain life demands isn’t the same as training for a specific goal. One downside of “farm strength” is that it won’t help you improve your performance in a specific sport. Additionally, it may not help you meet aesthetic goals in a targeted way. Pros and Cons of ‘Gym Strength’ Being “gym fit” is certainly valuable too. It’s intentional. You can personalize your workout plan to meet specific goals, such as building strength to become a better cyclist or runner. You can incorporate functioal training in your routine to reap some of the benefits of being “farm fit” — minus the farm. Most gyms offer a wide variety of equipment to help meet your needs, along with access to personal trainers who can guide your efforts. In other words, you have full control over your fitness journey when working out at the gym. However, it also costs money. And if you have a sedentary job and lifestyle that involves a lot of sitting for the rest of your day, it can only take you so far in terms of health benefits. Regular movement is key. RELATED: Get Bigger Biceps With a Bodyweight Workout Ultimately, staying active is what matters the most. Regular exercise strengthens your heart, muscles and bones. It helps keep you mobile as you age and reduces the risk of disease. Whether you achieve this through your lifestyle without ever going near a weight room or whether you make going to the gym a priority doesn’t matter. As Harrison puts it, anything that gets you moving and focused on a healthy lifestyle is a win. When it comes to “farm strength” versus “gym strength,” he wouldn’t consider one better than the other.” If anything, mixing both can be a good idea, notes Mohr: “Recognizing how both can be rewarding may lead to a more holistic approach to fitness and sometimes the best ‘prescription’ is to mix things up for interest.” You Might Also Dig: Best Adjustable DumbbellsHow You Should Change Your Workouts as You Age Workout Recovery Tools