Finding the balance between relative and objective strength is fundamental in the world of fitness.
Relative strength is a measure of muscular power in relation to one's body mass. It quantifies individuals' ability to control A) their own body weight, as demonstrated through exercises such as pull-ups, handstand push-ups, or B) a load based on % of bodyweight, such as a 20 rep backsquat with 120% of bodyweight on the bar.
Objective strength represents an absolute metric of force production, irrespective of an individual's body mass. It is typically (but not always) gauged through performance in standard weight-based exercises such as front squats or deadlifts, and various forms of Olympic weightlifting.
A major goal in fitness is to be strong in both ways.
That can take time, but with proper training, smaller athletes should naturally gain muscle (functional mass), and larger athletes should lose fat (non-functional mass). Both improvements are life-quality enhancers, beneficial for performance, health & longevity. Height can play a role here too, but obviously this cannot be changed with training (lol).
The Conditioning Tests of Level Method account for the various body types, so that both naturally larger and smaller athletes are appropriately represented and measured by our balanced measurement structure. Our goal is to provide a complete and balanced approach.
What do "balanced" and "appropriate" really mean? Level Method has a varied and comprehensive approach to fitness -- a Method based on the 15 categories of our "MAP," where both body size and weight come into play
And we've analyzed and addressed the relationships between exercise modes and physique type beyond relative and objective *strength*.
Inside the "breathing" world of fitness, as an example, running is a fundamental human function that can blend aerobic and lactic systems -- and it favors the smaller/lighter person. Rowing is a full-body, low-impact, functional movement suited to testing longer aerobic endurance efforts -- and it favors the bigger/taller person. By having both tests, we balance out differences.
We also place a significant emphasis on flexibility. Why? Flexibility is an excellent predictor of long-term, pain-free health and functionality. And to reiterate, fitness is not limited to strength, objective or relative. Flexibility truly matters -- and it's a great equalizer. Many folks are trapped at a moderate or mediocre level of overall fitness, because they neglect flexibility work. This goes against a lot of work-capacity based models, but for us, longevity and quality of life is as important as strength work or breathing work.
Level Method is all about safe and well-rounded fitness, incentivizing an optimal bodyweight to strength ratio. We balance objective and relative strength, using simple principles to accommodate the widest range of body-types.
Our reliance on multiple categories of fitness ensures that athletes develop a strong foundation, improve performance, and maintain health and longevity.
