
Why Your Workouts Aren't Translating to Real Life: Open vs. Closed System Training Explained | #091
From The Judd Lienhard Podcast by Judd Lienhard
April 21, 2026 · 28 min
About this episode
This episode explains why traditional gym workouts may not translate to real-life athleticism, focusing on the concept of open system training.
In this episode of the Judd Lienhard Podcast, I break down one of the most overlooked concepts in fitness and performance: open system training. Most people spend years getting stronger in the gym—but still feel unathletic in real life. If that sounds familiar, this episode will explain exactly why. I challenge the traditional idea that closed chain exercises are inherently more “functional,” and introduce a different way to think about training—one that better reflects how the body actually ...
People in this episode
Host: Judd Lienhard
Topics covered
- open system training
- closed chain exercises
- functional training
- fitness performance
- athleticism
Keywords
- workouts
- fitness
- training
- athleticism
- performance
- closed chain
- open system
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