• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Soccer Training Solutions

Individual Soccer Training Tips, Soccer Drills, Fitness Tips and More

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Individual Training
  • Our Complete Training System
  • Fitness & Strength
  • Game Tips
  • Nutrition

Bodyweight vs Weight Lifting: Which Is Better for Soccer?

By Parker & Walsh Leave a Comment

weight training soccerA question recently came up about speed and strength training. Specifically, the question was about bodyweight training vs. weight training. Which one is better for you as a player?

In the context of soccer, both bodyweight training and weight training will help you build strength and speed.

Each, however, has a distinct main benefit. What really matters is how hard you train and when you are training.

This article will go over the details, and you’ll see that it’s not always a one or the other proposition; both can be modified and customized in order to fit your needs best.

Bodyweight Training vs. Strength Training for Soccer

The main benefit for bodyweight training is the convenience of performing the exercises anywhere, so you can continue to accomplish your training goals. There is no equipment needed!

Bodyweight training also helps you to master your form which is really important when strength training.

A lot of the time, bodyweight training is performed first in order to master one’s form. And you can still add strength with bodyweight training by adding in static holds.

You can also add speed training with your bodyweight routine by adding in plyometrics.

So bodyweight training overall can be more flexible than you might have assumed.

Benefits of Weight Training for Soccer

The main benefit for weight training, on the other hand, is that you can really add muscle mass and maximize your strength since you can keeping increasing weight.

It is easy to know how much weight you lifted. If you want to get stronger, then you need to add more weight. You can add strength by adding more weight.

You can add speed training with weights by doing explosive movements or using lighter weights with as faster speeds.

In Season Speed and Strength Training

Overall, it doesn’t matter whether you choose bodyweight or weight training. But you DO need to be consistent in how often you workout and take the proper amount of recovery time to make sure you are performing your best.

For a hard workout that pushes you beyond your current physical capacity, you are going to need 72 hours to recover before your next game.

For a threshold workout that holds you are your current limit, you will need 48 hours to recover before your next game.

For a maintenance workout that holds your fitness level without overextending, you will need to 24 hours to recover before your next game.

Also, since you use your quads so much in soccer, you should concentrate on making sure that you work out your hamstrings more than your quads.

Off Season Speed and Strength Training

Again, it doesn’t matter whether you choose bodyweight or weight training. However, you may want to lean towards weight training because this is the time you can try to add muscle mass.

Weight training allows you to add muscle mass quicker, but again you need to be consistent in how often you are working out.

However, remember you still need to have endurance and be able to sprint and run for the entire game. This will limit your muscle mass. So there is a fine line with adding muscle mass and being soccer fit.

What’s your favorite way to improve your strength and speed through strength training?

image credit

Related Articles:

  • Soccer Workout Challenge: Push-Ups, Abs and Bodyweight Squats Circuit
    Soccer Workout Challenge: Push-Ups, Abs and…
  • woman lifting weights
    Should You Lift Weights During Your Soccer Season?
  • stamina and endurance soccer
    How to Improve Stamina and Endurance for Soccer
  • Why Lifting Weights is Crucial in Soccer
    Why Lifting Weights is Crucial in Soccer

Ready to improve your game faster? Our proven system has everything you need to reach the next level.

soccer training system ebook
Get Started Today - Button Orange

Filed Under: Fitness and Strength Tagged With: Bodyweight Exercises, Weight-training

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Get Better at Soccer – Faster!

Get Started Today - Button Orange

About Your Coach – Parker Koester

Parker Koester
I have extensive experience coaching soccer players of all types and can't wait to help you reach your highest level. Read more

Connect With Us

RSSTwitterFacebook

Soccer Tips Newsletter

Sign up for exclusive soccer tips sent to your inbox and a free ebook of our best soccer training content.

Latest Blog Posts

  • 5 Things You Can Learn from Watching Center Midfielders Play
  • How Youth Players Can Get Better By Watching Local High School and College Games
  • True Size and Height: How Big Are Pro Soccer Players, Anyway?
  • Best Practice Drills for Kids Ages 5 and Under
  • Why Every Soccer Player Should Know Tactics
  • Best Ways to Warm Up for Soccer Training or Pre-Game (Solo, Partner, and More)

Recent Comments

  • Scotty on What Would Happen if the Offside Rule Was Abolished?
  • Mike on What Would Happen if the Offside Rule Was Abolished?
  • Booze Baron on What Would Happen if the Offside Rule Was Abolished?
  • Hugh on What Would Happen if the Offside Rule Was Abolished?
  • Tarr on What Would Happen if the Offside Rule Was Abolished?
  • Tarr on What Would Happen if the Offside Rule Was Abolished?
Affiliate Disclosure and Privacy Policy

True Size and Height: How Big Are Pro Soccer Players, Anyway?

· Leave a Comment

Best Practice Drills for Kids Ages 5 and Under

· Leave a Comment

Why Every Soccer Player Should Know Tactics

· Leave a Comment

Best Ways to Warm Up for Soccer Training or Pre-Game (Solo, Partner, and More)

· Leave a Comment

How Much Do Managers Matter? From Tactical Genius to Man Manager

· Leave a Comment

guardiola

Club vs. National Team Tactics: Why They’re So Different

· Leave a Comment

The greatest accomplishment for any soccer player is to win the World Cup for their country. So it may come as a surprise to many to learn that this and other international tournaments aren't where … [Read More...] about Club vs. National Team Tactics: Why They’re So Different

nou-camp-la-liga

Premier League vs. La Liga: Tactics and Style of Play Compared

· Leave a Comment

It's no secret that watching the best professional players in the world can help you improve your own game. But is there a clear-cut best league to choose? The two top candidates that tend to … [Read More...] about Premier League vs. La Liga: Tactics and Style of Play Compared

epl champions

EPL Tactical Trends in 2022-23: What to Watch For

· Leave a Comment

One of the best ways to get better at soccer is to learn from the pros, and with the recent boom in soccer streaming services there are more ways than ever to watch the best leagues from around the … [Read More...] about EPL Tactical Trends in 2022-23: What to Watch For

soccer shin guards

Soccer Shin Guards: How Big Should They Be and What’s the Best Type?

· Leave a Comment

One of the benefits of soccer over certain other sports is that you don't need to wear lots of protective equipment like pads and helmets. There's one safety measure that is well worth it, however, … [Read More...] about Soccer Shin Guards: How Big Should They Be and What’s the Best Type?

soccer tactical analysis

The Problem With Soccer Tactical Analysis

· Leave a Comment

In recent years a particular type of soccer writing has boomed in popularity: the tactical analysis. These pieces aim to tell a story about how a game unfolded using subtle, easy to miss details that, … [Read More...] about The Problem With Soccer Tactical Analysis

  • The 4 Basic Soccer Skills Required To Play: A Beginner’s Guide
  • 7 Best Fitness Trackers For Soccer
  • Youth Soccer Positions Explained
  • Why All Soccer Players Prefer Grass Over Turf
  • What Are The Physical Benefits Of Playing Soccer? Find Out Here!

Copyright © 2025 · Log in