This or That Post Ideas to Boost Strength Training Community Engagement

Tired of low engagement in your strength training community? Spark instant conversation with these playful This or That prompts that make it easy for members to jump in and share their opinions. Say goodbye to crickets and hello to lively discussions.

Strength Training 42 Templates

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Why This Works

This or That prompts leverage the power of quick, low-pressure choices to break the ice and reduce barriers to participation. By offering two fun and relatable options, you invite even the shyest members to join the conversation without overthinking their response.

These prompts create a sense of camaraderie, as members discover shared preferences or laugh over their differences. The playful, binary structure keeps interactions light and fosters a relaxed community vibe, encouraging more frequent participation from all types of members.

When used regularly, This or That questions help build a habit of engagement and create a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing.

42 Ready-to-Use Templates

1

Deadlifts or squats - which would you never skip?

💡 Example: "Deadlifts or squats - which would you never skip? I never miss squats!"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #exercise #core #preference
2

Morning lifts or evening sessions?

💡 Example: "Morning lifts or evening sessions? I like to work out after work."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #routine #time #habits
3

Chalk or gloves?

💡 Example: "Chalk or gloves? I always go with chalk."

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #gear #accessories
4

Barbell bench press or dumbbell bench press?

💡 Example: "Barbell bench press or dumbbell bench press? I feel stronger with the barbell."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #exercise #equipment
5

Training solo or with a workout buddy?

💡 Example: "Training solo or with a workout buddy? I prefer solo sessions."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #social #habits
6

Hitting a new PR or perfecting your form?

💡 Example: "Hitting a new PR or perfecting your form? Form first for me."

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #motivation #goals
7

Protein shake or whole food snack post-workout?

💡 Example: "Protein shake or whole food snack post-workout? I love a shake!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #nutrition #recovery
8

Short, intense workouts or longer, steady sessions?

💡 Example: "Short, intense workouts or longer, steady sessions? Short and sweet for me."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #routine #intensity
9

Sumo deadlift or conventional deadlift?

💡 Example: "Sumo deadlift or conventional deadlift? Sumo all the way!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #exercise #technique
10

Music or silence while lifting?

💡 Example: "Music or silence while lifting? Always music!"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #environment #preference
11

Leg day or back day - which do you look forward to?

💡 Example: "Leg day or back day - which do you look forward to? Back day for sure."

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #routine #favorites
12

Cardio warm-up or dynamic stretching?

💡 Example: "Cardio warm-up or dynamic stretching? Dynamic stretching for me."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #warmup #habits
13

Gym workouts or home workouts?

💡 Example: "Gym workouts or home workouts? Gym is my happy place."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #location #preference
14

Lifting belt or no belt?

💡 Example: "Lifting belt or no belt? I always use a belt for heavy lifts."

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #gear #safety
15

Training for strength or aesthetics?

💡 Example: "Training for strength or aesthetics? Strength is my focus."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #goals #motivation
16

Pre-workout or just caffeine?

💡 Example: "Pre-workout or just caffeine? I just drink coffee."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #supplements #energy
17

Pull-ups or chin-ups?

💡 Example: "Pull-ups or chin-ups? Chin-ups are easier for me."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #exercise #upper body
18

Strict program or freestyle workouts?

💡 Example: "Strict program or freestyle workouts? I like having a plan."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #routine #structure
19

High reps with low weight or low reps with high weight?

💡 Example: "High reps with low weight or low reps with high weight? High weight, low reps."

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #training #intensity
20

Foam rolling or massage gun for recovery?

💡 Example: "Foam rolling or massage gun for recovery? I love my massage gun."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #recovery #tools
21

Front squats or back squats?

💡 Example: "Front squats or back squats? Back squats every time."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #exercise #technique
22

Fasted training or fueled sessions?

💡 Example: "Fasted training or fueled sessions? I always eat before training."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #nutrition #timing
23

Powerlifting or Olympic lifting?

💡 Example: "Powerlifting or Olympic lifting? Powerlifting for me."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #style #goals
24

Classic rock or hip hop for your gym playlist?

💡 Example: "Classic rock or hip hop for your gym playlist? Hip hop keeps me moving."

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #music #motivation
25

Tracking progress with an app or a notebook?

💡 Example: "Tracking progress with an app or a notebook? I use my phone."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #tracking #habits
26

Lifting heavy or lifting often?

💡 Example: "Lifting heavy or lifting often? I go for heavy."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #training #frequency
27

Warm-up sets or straight to working weight?

💡 Example: "Warm-up sets or straight to working weight? I always warm up."

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #preparation #routine
28

Bench day or deadlift day?

💡 Example: "Bench day or deadlift day? Deadlift day is the best."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #routine #favorites
29

Protein pancakes or protein oats for breakfast?

💡 Example: "Protein pancakes or protein oats for breakfast? I love pancakes."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #nutrition #breakfast
30

Rest day: active recovery or total chill?

💡 Example: "Rest day: active recovery or total chill? I like to keep moving."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #recovery #routine
31

Weighted vest or resistance bands?

💡 Example: "Weighted vest or resistance bands? Bands for me."

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #gear #accessories
32

Strict pull-up or kipping pull-up?

💡 Example: "Strict pull-up or kipping pull-up? Strict always."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #technique #upper body
33

Lifting with shoes or barefoot?

💡 Example: "Lifting with shoes or barefoot? Barefoot for squats."

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #gear #preference
34

Full body workouts or split routines?

💡 Example: "Full body workouts or split routines? I do splits."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #routine #structure
35

Supersets or straight sets?

💡 Example: "Supersets or straight sets? Supersets all the way."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #training #intensity
36

Protein bars or jerky for on-the-go fuel?

💡 Example: "Protein bars or jerky for on-the-go fuel? Jerky is my snack."

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #nutrition #snacks
37

Push day or pull day?

💡 Example: "Push day or pull day? Pull day for me."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #routine #favorites
38

Gym selfie or no phone at all?

💡 Example: "Gym selfie or no phone at all? No phone here."

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #social #habits
39

Training in silence or with a hype playlist?

💡 Example: "Training in silence or with a hype playlist? Playlist every time."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #music #environment
40

Sticking to machines or free weights?

💡 Example: "Sticking to machines or free weights? Free weights for sure."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #equipment #preference
41

Power naps or extra caffeine on tired days?

💡 Example: "Power naps or extra caffeine on tired days? I take a nap."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #recovery #energy
42

Group classes or solo lifting?

💡 Example: "Group classes or solo lifting? I love solo lifting."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #social #habits

How to Use These Templates

Pick a template and post it as a standalone question or as part of your daily engagement routine. Encourage members to share not only their choice but also a quick reason why. Mix up topics to keep things fresh and relevant. Rotate between equipment, routines, nutrition, and fun lifestyle contrasts. For extra engagement, use polls or stories where possible to make voting even easier.

Best Practices

  • Keep prompts light, fun, and easy to answer.
  • Rotate topics to appeal to both beginners and advanced lifters.
  • React or reply to member answers to encourage conversation.
  • Avoid technical jargon or polarizing subjects.
  • Use images or emojis where platform allows to boost visibility.

All Platforms Tips

These templates work well across all platforms. On forums or Facebook, post as questions or poll threads. On Instagram and TikTok, use Stories or Reels with the poll sticker. On Discord or Slack, drop them in a casual chat channel. Wherever you post, keep the tone casual and reply to early responses to encourage more participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I create This or That posts that spark debate around popular strength training methods, like full-body routines vs. body part splits?

To encourage meaningful discussion, frame your This or That posts around recognized training philosophies, such as ‘Full-Body Sessions vs. Bro Splits’ or ‘Push/Pull/Legs vs. Upper/Lower Splits.’ Use terminology familiar to your members and invite them to share personal experiences or results. You can also ask follow-up questions in the comments to dive deeper into why members prefer one method over the other.

Is it effective to use specific exercise pairings (e.g., deadlifts vs. squats) in This or That posts to engage experienced lifters?

Absolutely. Experienced lifters often have strong preferences for foundational lifts like deadlifts, squats, bench press, or overhead press. This or That posts comparing these exercises can prompt passionate and insightful discussions about technique, muscle targeting, and progress. Just be sure to moderate respectfully if debates get heated, and encourage members to share reasoning or program context for their choices.

How do I use This or That posts to address common strength training challenges, like ‘training to failure vs. leaving reps in reserve’?

Addressing nuanced training strategies such as ‘Training to Failure vs. RIR (Reps in Reserve)’ helps educate your community on advanced concepts while inviting opinions. Clearly define the terms in your post, and encourage members to discuss how these approaches have impacted their strength gains or recovery. This can foster knowledge sharing and highlight the diversity of training styles.

What’s the best way to use This or That posts for debating popular strength training equipment, like ‘power rack vs. Smith machine’?

Equipment-focused This or That posts are great for both new and veteran lifters. Present scenarios like ‘Power Rack vs. Smith Machine for Squats’ or ‘Barbells vs. Dumbbells for Bench Press,’ and ask members to share their reasoning, gym limitations, or injury considerations. This not only drives engagement but also helps members make informed decisions about their own training setups.

How can I incorporate nutrition strategies into strength training This or That posts, such as ‘bulk vs. cut’ or ‘high-protein vs. balanced macros’?

Interweaving nutrition into your This or That posts—like ‘Bulking vs. Cutting Season’ or ‘High-Protein Diet vs. Balanced Macros’—lets members align their training goals with their nutrition approaches. These posts are especially relevant around seasonal transitions or after competitions. Encourage members to discuss their experiences with each strategy and share results, recipes, or meal planning tips.

Are there ways to use This or That posts to engage members about recovery practices, such as ‘foam rolling vs. static stretching’ after heavy lifts?

Yes! Comparing recovery methods like ‘Foam Rolling vs. Static Stretching’ or ‘Ice Baths vs. Active Recovery’ addresses a critical component of strength training that’s often overlooked. These posts can prompt valuable discussions about injury prevention, mobility routines, and optimizing performance. Encourage members to share what’s worked for them, and consider highlighting expert opinions or recent research to add depth.

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