It’s no secret that our goal at Telos is to help our members use training and nutrition to live active, healthy lives outside of the gym. We employ a sustainable approach to our training, using science-backed techniques like progressive overload and four-week strength cycles to maximize results while minimizing injuries.
If that doesn’t mean much to you, that’s ok! All you need to know is that our focus is on ensuring our members can make continuous progress while reducing the risk of injury. We program movements that prioritize longevity and increasing quality of life OUTSIDE of the gym.
By doing this, one area we want to see improvement from our members is their relative strength. If this term is unfamiliar to you, here’s what it means:
What is Relative Strength?
Relative strength refers to the amount of strength you have relative to your body size or weight. In other words, it’s not just about how much weight you can lift, but how much you can lift compared to your own body weight.
Why is this so important to us at Telos? Because relative strength is the key to thriving in your daily life. Think about it:
- Carrying heavy grocery bags up a flight of stairs.
- Lifting your kids or grandkids with ease.
- Climbing stairs without feeling winded.
- Getting up and down from the floor effortlessly.
These are all examples of activities that require relative strength—the ability to move one’s own body weight and external loads efficiently.
You might have noticed that our level testing system uses percentages of body weight to determine testing weights, rather than a “one size fits all” approach. This allows us to truly assess your strength based on your individual body composition, providing a more accurate and personalized assessment.
Our goal: increase relative strength, ensuring that our members are strong and healthy enough to tackle whatever challenges they face outside of the gym. This strength is essential for handling the demands of everyday life. Whether you’re a serious athlete or a busy parent, relative strength serves as the foundation for a fulfilling and active life.
In essence, relative strength is about maximizing your strength potential based on your body size. It’s a measure of functional strength that translates to improved performance in daily life, whether you are a serious athlete or a mom looking to get back into shape after having kids.
Today, I’ll share five important reasons why you should prioritize your relative strength:
Why Relative Strength Matters
1. Relative strength refers to the ratio of an individual’s strength to their body weight. Unlike absolute strength, which measures pure force output regardless of mass, relative strength emphasizes efficiency — how effectively one can move their own body or external loads proportional to their size. This concept is critical across all fitness levels, from elite athletes to everyday individuals.
2. Daily tasks (e.g., carrying groceries, climbing stairs) demand strength proportional to body weight. Improved relative strength enhances ease and reduces injury risk in these activities. Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat. By building lean mass while managing weight, individuals boost metabolism, aiding weight management and overall health. Stronger muscles relative to body weight reduce joint and tendon stress. For instance, a runner with robust leg muscles experiences less knee impact, lowering injury risk.
3. Bodyweight exercises (push-ups, squats) build foundational strength. Progressing to weighted movements while controlling body fat enhances relative strength. Maintaining relative strength preserves mobility and balance, which are critical for preventing falls and sustaining independence. Advanced training (plyometrics, compound lifts) fine-tunes power-to-weight ratios, crucial for marginal performance gains.
4. Relative strength is universally scalable. Beginners start with bodyweight exercises, while advanced athletes incorporate resistance training. Metrics like pull-up reps or vertical jump height can serve as practical benchmarks.
While absolute strength dominates powerlifting or strongman events, relative strength’s versatility makes it indispensable for most. It complements other fitness metrics rather than replaces them, emphasizing efficiency and practicality.
5. Relative strength is a cornerstone of athletic and functional fitness, transcending age, sport, and skill level. By prioritizing strength efficiency, individuals enhance performance, reduce injury risks, and improve quality of life, proving its universal relevance in both competitive and everyday contexts.
At Telos, we’re not just about building muscles for the sake of aesthetics. We’re passionate about empowering you to live active, healthy lives outside the gym. We believe that fitness should enhance your everyday experiences, from chasing after your kids to enjoying a hike with friends. That’s why we emphasize a sustainable approach to training, using science-backed techniques like progressive overload and 4-week strength cycles to maximize results while minimizing injuries.
If terms like “progressive overload” and “strength cycles” sound intimidating, don’t worry! The core of our philosophy is simple: we want you to make continuous progress while staying safe and injury-free. We design our programs with longevity in mind, prioritizing movements that improve your quality of life far beyond the walls of our facility.
At Telos, We Prioritize Your Real-Life Strength
We understand that you’re not just training for the gym; you’re training for life. That’s why we place such a strong emphasis on relative strength. We want you to feel strong, confident, and capable of handling whatever challenges come your way.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of relative strength training, join our community! We’ll guide you through a personalized program that will help you maximize your strength potential and live a healthier, more active life.Ready to build strength that matters? Book an appointment HERE to learn more about how we can help you achieve your fitness goals.