What To Do

Categories

Social Bookmarks

Feeds

General Fitness & Nutrition: Adding Situps/Pushups, other workouts to running regimen

Bottom of Page

1 to 11 of 11

  1.  
    • CommentAuthormeyerboy
    • CommentTimeFeb 21st 2008
     
    meyerboy

    Hi-

    Was wondering what the consensus is regarding other types or workouts.  I havee dropped a decent amount of weight through running in the past 5 months,  and I was hoping to start some mild muscle building in other areas. I was really planning on starting with pushups and situps,  and was wondering whether I should do that before, after,  or at another time completely from my running. Any help would be appreciated.

    dan

    thatmeyerboy.blogspot.com 

  2.  
    jonbartolotta

    Strenght training will definitely benefit your training.  I used to do pushups and situps almost every night.  On longer runs you will need strenght in your core and shoulders to help you finish strong.  This might deter you from doing a real hard workout before a run.  If you do decide to do some before your run, don't do a lot.  This will make you more tired for your run and could possibly lead to injury. 

    I like to do pushups when I get 5 min free at work and also when I am playing with my kids.  They enjoy climbing on me like I'm a tree or a horse.  When they are on my back I start doing pushups.  It gives me a little extra weight and the kids enjoy it too.  They  are always doing yoga with my wife and doing stretches with both of us. 

    My suggestion is to do them after a run, later in the day, or on a day off from running.  I am by no means the expert in this area but this has worked for me.  Hope this helps.

  3.  
    StaceyLeeYee
    Dan, it's always a good idea to warm up/stretch before running and definitely stretch after a run.  The runners I hang with (marathoners) don't do ANY lifting, but alternate doing abs/arms one day, legs (abduction/adduction, for example) the next, usually doing exercises in the morning, then their runs in the evening.  An elliptical is a great cross-trainer for your cardio when you can't get a run in.  You don't want to bulk up your muscles. 
    • CommentAuthorwestconn
    • CommentTimeFeb 21st 2008
     
    westconn

    You are going to get a mix of responses on this one.  It will all depend on your goal.  If your goal is overall health, then a program to build muscle is definitely worth doing.  A few extra pounds of muscle will actually keep your overall weight down because it kicks up your metabolism (muscle needs energy and will require your body to burn more calories).  If your goal is to be very competitive in races.....you will need to watch the amount of muscle you put on.   There is a tipping point at which building strength becomes putting on excess muscle (as far as race times go).

    I don't consider myself in the ultra-competitive race department.  I run several races per year...mostly for fun...but will occasionally pick a few of which I will aim to run hard.  I like to do strength training just add something different to my routine.  I do circut training with Cybex or other weight machines two/three times week.  I always hit the weights after I run.  For me, its easier to lift weights once my body is already warmed up from a run.

    Another important item to add is to make sure you still have at least a day each week for rest/recovery.  Don't replace your rest day with a day to do strength training.  The body needs rest...whether its from running or strength training.

    • CommentAuthorAPDuncan27
    • CommentTimeFeb 21st 2008
     
    APDuncan27
    The idea that you are going to "bulk up" from lifting is very misguided.  I lift 3 days a week, and I lift pretty heavy at times.  The ability to add muscle mass comes from a variety of factors, two of the most important factors are your genetic makeup (especially red/white muscle fiber ratio) and caloric intake.  In order to gain a significant amount of muscle mass, most people must consume a massive amount of calories.  Bulking up is difficult for people who are training specifically to increase muscle mass, and extremely difficult for those who do a lot of aerobic work and don't eat like a horse.
    • CommentAuthorgymbully
    • CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008
     
    gymbully

    Dan,

    Along with the other responders to your question, I agree that adding weight training is going to help you in many ways.  If your goal is shorter faster runs you can increase your size and strength and your run will benefit. If your goal is distance and endurance, your body will respond to strength training that emphasizes a "lighter weights, more reps" approach.  Either way, don't forget your legwork as well, it helps to put some weight resistance exercises to those muscles, even if the resistance is coming from your own body, such as lunges or squats.

    When to do it is a question that is probably as important. WhenI do both lifting and running on the same day,  I  prefer to run first and if I can, wait at least a few hours, or I tend to cramp up, especially if I've done abdominals.  Don't forget to stretch after the run or workout, it helps get rid of the bad stuff, and will help with that stiffness and pain associated with weight training.  Good Luck.

    • CommentAuthormeyerboy
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2008
     
    meyerboy

    Thanks to everyone who responded. I am not running for any major race,  just yet. I have competed recently in some local 4  miles and a 10k,  but may work towards the NY Marathon in 09,  as I have to run my 9 races w/ NYRR to qualify next year. Anyway, I am just looking to tone,  and to do some complimentary work for my running. I am not planning on doing too much weight work,  mostly pushup, situps and the like. Thank you all for your help,  and I'll see you on the road.

    d 

  8.  
    shaneroberson
    I don't do a lot of weight training myself, but I do Core Training exercises which tones and stretches me before and after a run. It has made a huge difference in a lot, but especially in endurance and strength. Shane
  9.  
    anthbailey

    I do push ups and sit ups most mornings before work - it only takes 10 mins including a bit of a warm up (shadow boxing and yoga salutations to the sun). I just do one set of press ups and one set up sit-ups (double the number of press ups). It's not a great deal but makes you feel great and doing it every morning does make a big difference to your muscle tone and strength. I'm predominantly a runner (a couple of marathons and halfs) but am now training for triathlons. The extra strength you get from pressups and situps is very useful for everything including running - particularly for your core. Try and do a range of different ab movements to cover all your obliques and upper and lower abs.

     On top of this I do a session where I'll double or triple the sit/ press ups I do in the the morning. Can have then next morning off!

     Btw I'm not a sports scientist or Personal trainer, this just works for me.

    • CommentAuthorTxaz
    • CommentTimeMar 3rd 2008
     
    Txaz

    Heres a link with some really good core exercises (for free).Cool

    http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=486

     

    • CommentAuthorBendy
    • CommentTimeMar 9th 2008
     
    Bendy
    Try doing a small number of crunches and pressups after your run.

1 to 11 of 11

  1.