OK. Just ask that question to a "bodybuilder" or a "weightlifter" and you could get a load of an response. While it is very true that bodybuilders and weightlifters will train with weights - they are two distinctly different activities, with two very distinct goals in mind, in particular when we are referring to them on the professional or semi-professional level.

A professional or competitive bodybuilder is mainly concerned with his appearance. Many are looking for an overall body image that displays off a cut and hard and defined muscle mass to its most visual outward look. A weightlifter on the other hand is mainly absorbed the strength in the specific areas of their competition. In other words the muscles that are most important during a Snatch or Deadlift competition. However the competitive bodybuilder, participating a competition has little to do with your strength or how much you can lift, but your overall looks. All the muscles on a competitive bodybuilder should look symmetrical, and in proper proportion, therefore bodybuilders try to out all parts of the body evenly.

Now if you are not planning on competing in either athletic sport the distinction may not really be that important to you. However, the discussion outlines how meaningful it is to clearly realizeyour ultimate goals as to why you are lifting weights. Are you looking to improve physique? Maximize your strength and stamina? Possibly a little of both? If you are not a competitor, it really matters less what you identify with, then what you hope to accomplish with weightlifting. When you decide what you hope to get out of a weightlifting program you can then craft a series of routines, exercises and lifestyle changes to meet these goals. Bodybuilding