compare a bodybuilder with a strongman competitor
the bodybuilder will look more toned because they work on muscles that you can see, solely for appearance
the strongman works more so on functional muscles; they don’t look as unnaturally swole and toned as a bodybuilder
Not 100% accurate. A primary difference between “show” body builders and strength competitors is fat and water. Most body builders bulk up then “cut” down by cutting fat, then dehydrating before a show or photo session. That’s why their muscles are so defined, VERY low body fat and thin tight skin (without getting into “performance enhancers.”) That “V” shape with large broad shoulders and a skinny waist is largely from low body fat percent (along with targeting muscle groups like you say, and some genetics.) it’s an “action figure look.” Contrast that to “strong man” competitors who are wider and have far more body fat, less definition, and look more “strong fat.” To perform at your peak of strength you NEED a certain level of fat. Many body builders would injure themselves if they used their full strength in competition shape- but when “show ready” couldn’t anyway because of malnourishment and dehydration.
You are correct though that body show builders tend to target certain muscle groups for show, and that they also work muscles based on proportion of size and show and not by functional muscle group. Only a rank noob or “gym rat” body builder and not a pro would fail to work support muscles though, you’ll get injuries if you don’t work your support muscles as well as your major “show” muscles. But a MAJOR difference is in the types of training different athletes do.
In general, strength comes from moving the heaviest weights you (safely) can repeatedly and consistently for an exercise. You will almost always gain SOME size with strength- but a “pure” strength program doesn’t build maximum size or “sculpt,” it builds- strength. Contrast that to a size program- which usually will have a much higher volume (more reps, more exercises, lower weights) than a strength program, but less volume and heavier weights than an endurance or aerobic program (which will build little size or strength compared to the other two.) So a smaller person could have higher lifts than a bigger one for both their reps and max weight.
But to gain size you generally do have to increase weight lifted. So someone massively huge will still be very strong, just not as strong as someone focusing on strength. Competitive strength athletes also generally focus on the activity they plan to do, so they may or may not be as strong at another strength related task that falls outside the scope of their primary activity than a body builder who is in a “bulking” phase and has a surplus of nutrition.
If we are talking about non pros, well.... that’s all over the place. Of course there’s also the fact that if we include genetic “freaks” and those using performance enhancers like steroids- the training and diet routines can generally be very far off from what a “natural average” person can do and get good results. Plus there are so many ways to train (not all body builders “bulk and cut” most pros do- but many non pros do not, etc,) and especially for non pros, if they do other training or exercises as supplements or focus on “functional” exercises which have direct real world applications for things they do in everyday life.
Body building culture isn’t a bunch of crap. Pro level and obsessive bony building can be unhealthy physically and mentally. But body building can be highly functional as well for those who require strength. There are many who work out just “for show,” or because it makes them feel better. I mean- in the name body building. You’re building the body you want to have. But there are many myths about body building too. There are MANY body building programs and diets etc. and each applies to different goals and types of people and desired results. In fact- if you aren’t training for a specific activity like sport specific training or to run marathons etc- you ARE body building wether you’re doing an aerobic class or cross fit or just running after work. You’re building the body you want. When you decide to swim to lose some holiday weight? That’s body building too.
So not every “body builder” is hitting the rack hoping to be Arnold buff. Most sports benefit from a weight lifting program (even motor sports!) and most people will as well. Women especially can benefit and weight training can help with loss of bone density as we age (again, especially a problem for women.) A weight training program can be worked into your regular running or swimming or dance, boxing or whatever. Athletes training for a specific sport seriously may want to skip the weights and focus on the main things their sport needs. For instance a pro marathon runner needs endurance and strength training might slow their progress. But in every day life they could benefit from some weights.
the bodybuilder will look more toned because they work on muscles that you can see, solely for appearance
the strongman works more so on functional muscles; they don’t look as unnaturally swole and toned as a bodybuilder