Specialist or generalist?

UL_heart_throb

would you consider yourself a specialist or a generalist athlete/exerciser

some loose definitions:

specialist has a specific sport that they train for. this might be bodybuilding, powerlifting, a track sport, a GAA sport, even crossfit (although that probably makes the question flawed) or a martial art.

Their diet, training programme, energy, focus is all geared around improving performance in this specific sport, with short term goals (making some achievement like a new personal best) and long term goals (getting a sub 2.30 marathon, 180kg squat or something).

These people don't really 'play' any other sports that might expose them to an injury or simply they don't have the time, as all spare time is accounted for within their sports specific programme.

Now to be a specialist, you don't necessarily have to be very good at what you do, you can be pretty crap, or Olympic level, the question is just about your focus on this activity.

The generalist on the other hand maybe play multiple sports simultaneously, or perhaps, different sports at different times of the year. E.g. they may play a lot of rugby or soccer in the winter and gaelic football in the summer. Or do some powerlifting type training in the gym and play indoor football on weekends. for these people they might still have specific goals (getting stronger, faster, fitter, slimmer) but their drive isn't as competitive or focused as a specialist. The generalist may be fairly 'good' at each different discipline but obviously isn't Olympic level in anything (or even regional).

do you think you conform (to any degree) to either or are both of these stereotypes artificial

Please Kill Me

I would say definitely generalist for me! I do cycling and running, I do boxing and kickboxing, I do weights and BW training. I think I'm spread out too much to be specialist in anything.

Interesting question all the same.

UL_heart_throb

thanks for replying

yeah definitely a generalist you are

gymfreak

I'd consider myself a bit of a generalist..I like trying loads of activities but really haven't found anything that I REALLY really like and would give my full attention and focus to.

I'd like to think that I'll eventually stumble across a sport or activity that I'm good at and that I enjoy and maybe focus solely on for a while cos TBH I'm just really realising lately that being 'good' at loads of things hasnt a notch on being great at one thing.

...someday:D:D

Please Kill Me

gymfreak wrote: »

I'd consider myself a bit of a generalist..I like trying loads of activities but really haven't found anything that I REALLY really like and would give my full attention and focus to.

I'd like to think that I'll eventually stumble across a sport or activity that I'm good at and that I enjoy and maybe focus solely on for a while cos TBH I'm just really realising lately that being 'good' at loads of things hasnt a notch on being great at one thing.

...someday:D:D

Agreed, although my problem is that I get bored too easlily. Initially I was gonna do just kick-boxing and focus on that, and running for the fitness, but I couldn't do it every day so took on a few more things to do. I'm happy enough with what I do, but sometimes wish there were more days in the week to fit more activities in. LOL

metamorphosis

I used to be a specialist til I got some times i wanted to get in races and then didn't have the desire to keep going to try and improve on those times, so decided to change it up - multi sport now.

UL_heart_throb

gymfreak wrote: »

TBH I'm just really realising lately that being 'good' at loads of things hasnt a notch on being great at one thing.

in the sense of personal satisfaction or in the sense of being paid to do it?

gymfreak

UL_heart_throb wrote: »

in the sense of personal satisfaction or in the sense of being paid to do it?

Purely for personal satisfaction.

I'd love to have the focus to concentrate on one thing and to put all my efforts into it to see what I could do. I've made attempts at it in the past but I always tend to get distracted and my focus is never on one thing/sport/goal.

UL_heart_throb

i seem to have inadvertently paraphrased a cross fit troll

The point isn't to be great at any one thing (a specialist insect), it's to be novice at a bunch of things. That's a firebreather.

colman1212

gymfreak wrote: »

Purely for personal satisfaction.

I'd love to have the focus to concentrate on one thing and to put all my efforts into it to see what I could do. I've made attempts at it in the past but I always tend to get distracted and my focus is never on one thing/sport/goal.

The thing about finding a sport you are good at is it takes time and dedication to get good at it. You probably only really really start enjoying a sport once you break through the beginner stage. Its all about getting through the beginner stage and sticking it out until you get to the point where you are enjoying it. just my 2 cents...

Brian?

I'd love to be a specialist, but given the time constraints of having a family and working it's too difficult. I don't have a sport I love enough to sacrfice time with my family for, but have nothin but admiration and respect for those who do.