I am trying to get back in shape after a long period of little activity due to long bed rest and challenges of new motherhood. Used to do Body Pump and loved it, but can't afford a gym right now. I like to push myself, and am anxious to rebuild lean muscle mass and strength. However, I am also getting back into running and thinking about training for my third marathon. I have found in the past that too much bulk or too many days per week(I am NOT one of those people afraid of getting too big) sabotages my ability to complete my long runs. Which videos would you suggest for me? I'm looking for strength training 2-3x per week.
Best videos for dstance runner trying to get back in shape?
- Thread starter bjschiap
- Start date
RE: Best videos for dstance runner trying to get back i...
I recommend the Power Hour+ DVD which includes MIS & Body Max. Power Hour is similar to Body Pump. You could do any of the 3 full body workouts while your mileage is low. As your mileage climbs, you could do PH with body weight only if your legs are getting fatigued by running. The DVD makes it easy to do the upper body segments & abs only. The Body Max upper body segment is very efficient. And MIS is a wonderful gym style full body workout.
Debra
I recommend the Power Hour+ DVD which includes MIS & Body Max. Power Hour is similar to Body Pump. You could do any of the 3 full body workouts while your mileage is low. As your mileage climbs, you could do PH with body weight only if your legs are getting fatigued by running. The DVD makes it easy to do the upper body segments & abs only. The Body Max upper body segment is very efficient. And MIS is a wonderful gym style full body workout.
Debra
I agree with the previous poster that the DVD with MIS and Power hour is ideal for you, two workouts that sculpt the entire body.
Another suggestion is the Pyramid Upper and the pyramid Lower body workouts on the same DVD from the intensity Series. You could for example work the upper body twice per week and do the lower body once per week. You won't need much weight training for the lower body with all that running, but one good lower body routine per week could be good to strengthen muscles and thus protect joints made vulnerable through middle to long distance running.
If you can afford both DVD's you will have maximum flexibility because the Pyramids feature premixes for days when you want to hit it all but quickly.
Ease back in slowly, won't you? Even though you were a runner before the baby, pregnancy and bed rest will have totally depleted the body's endurance and you may still have some loose joints and ligaments due to pregnancy hormones.
Best of luck!
Clare
Another suggestion is the Pyramid Upper and the pyramid Lower body workouts on the same DVD from the intensity Series. You could for example work the upper body twice per week and do the lower body once per week. You won't need much weight training for the lower body with all that running, but one good lower body routine per week could be good to strengthen muscles and thus protect joints made vulnerable through middle to long distance running.
If you can afford both DVD's you will have maximum flexibility because the Pyramids feature premixes for days when you want to hit it all but quickly.
Ease back in slowly, won't you? Even though you were a runner before the baby, pregnancy and bed rest will have totally depleted the body's endurance and you may still have some loose joints and ligaments due to pregnancy hormones.
Best of luck!
Clare
Mckmain
Cathlete
The other posts were great, I would say the same DVD's. I am also a distance runner. I've had to cut back the last 5 months due to Achilles Tendonitis. I had also quit lifting as I got bored. Big mistake as I lost definition and then when I couldn't run I went nuts!! I don't bulk up either but something funny I used to lift heavy on my legs before a long training run (18-20 miles) and my legs felt great, so I always lifted 3 times a week, upper and lower. I have most all of Cathe's strength and step workouts. I haven't done traditional weightlifting for some time, but have used Cathe's weight workouts to get my shape back. It's working and my injury is much better and I hope to run my 11th marathon in Dec!...good luck...Carole
I agree with previous suggestions, and just wanted to add a little note on something I found working really well for myself, I alternate leg workouts between standing and floor work. I either do standing one day, and then floor work later in the week, or if its been a really tough running week, I might just do one or the other. I found I dont get that "lead leg" feeling doing it this way.
To have a DVD that contains both, you would have to get the Pyramids
DVD (or Pure strength).
Good Luck
Jayne
To have a DVD that contains both, you would have to get the Pyramids
DVD (or Pure strength).
Good Luck
Jayne
dmd
Cathlete
RE: Best videos for dstance runner trying to get back i...
Hello there~
I too am a distance runner and am now training for a 1/2 marathon. I have run a full marathon before, but found that it compromised my muscle gains too much....I love to run! It is my therapy, my prayer closet, my endorphin fix. I have found that the Pure Strength Series is the best for me during my training ( off training I love the Pyramid, and others). The P.S. Series is wonderful. The leg workout can be split into two workouts: Standing legs and floor work. Just as a side note: My husband was a runner in college and began to have knee problems and trouble completeing even a long walk. He saw a Physical Therapist for help and showed him Cathe's P.S. Workout. The therapist was very impressed with this workout and ordered my husband to continue with it .Forward four years and my husband continues to run injury free 20mi. a week! We can't say enough about the PS series.
Good luck and happy running...Deb
Hello there~
I too am a distance runner and am now training for a 1/2 marathon. I have run a full marathon before, but found that it compromised my muscle gains too much....I love to run! It is my therapy, my prayer closet, my endorphin fix. I have found that the Pure Strength Series is the best for me during my training ( off training I love the Pyramid, and others). The P.S. Series is wonderful. The leg workout can be split into two workouts: Standing legs and floor work. Just as a side note: My husband was a runner in college and began to have knee problems and trouble completeing even a long walk. He saw a Physical Therapist for help and showed him Cathe's P.S. Workout. The therapist was very impressed with this workout and ordered my husband to continue with it .Forward four years and my husband continues to run injury free 20mi. a week! We can't say enough about the PS series.
Good luck and happy running...Deb
RE: Best videos for dstance runner trying to get back i...
I'm trying to log some miles in atleast 3-4/week and have been struggling trying to get weights in. Most of the time it's difficult because I do shift work and the legs are too tired to do a lower body day or I'm too lazy or would rather run. But I have found that the PS series for upperbody has just the right pace for me because it goes slower than PUB and has more back work. The PLB workout with 3 sets works just fine for my lowerbody day because it has no half way ups or downs or hover holds or pulses. It's simple and gets the job done without making my quads spasm like PH does. I like PH but not during a running rotation.
I'm trying to log some miles in atleast 3-4/week and have been struggling trying to get weights in. Most of the time it's difficult because I do shift work and the legs are too tired to do a lower body day or I'm too lazy or would rather run. But I have found that the PS series for upperbody has just the right pace for me because it goes slower than PUB and has more back work. The PLB workout with 3 sets works just fine for my lowerbody day because it has no half way ups or downs or hover holds or pulses. It's simple and gets the job done without making my quads spasm like PH does. I like PH but not during a running rotation.