I've really enjoyed Mark Rippetoe's writing about the difference between Exercise and Training. From the gloss for Practical Programming for Strength Training

I've really enjoyed Mark Rippetoe's writing about the difference between Exercise and Training. From the gloss for Practical Programming for Strength Training [1]: "Exercise is physical activity for its own sake, a workout done for the effect it produces today, during the workout or right after you're through. Training is physical activity done with a longer-term goal in mind, the constituent workouts of which are specifically designed to produce that goal." He emphasizes that a realistic means of progression is one of the most important aspects of any training program. Practical Programming and Starting Strength [2] (which is a better introduction to these ideas for novices) are together the best analytical discussion of physical training that I've seen. [1] http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Programming-Strength-Training-Rippetoe/dp/0982522754 http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Programming-Strength-Trainin... [2] http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Strength-3rd-Mark-Rippetoe/dp/0982522738/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CZQX2JG281P7AP8SWNT http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Strength-3rd-Mark-Rippetoe/dp...