Are you one of those runners that just run? So many runners really only love running. I want to be strong the rest of my life, though, and as you get older, it can be an uphill battle.
Strength training is so important. Sure, it helps your metabolism and it carves sexy muscle, but it’s so much more than skin deep. It can be the different between staying independent as we age — or not. Like anything — strength, balance, mental sharpness — use it or lose it!
Although I have been a gym member and loved that, most of my life has been spent exercising at home. It’s convenient. Today it’s also so easy!
Pahla B Fitness
I’ve mentioned Pahla (click here for her Website) time and time again. Because she’s a runner. Because she’s fun. Because even though she’s younger than me, she is aimed at older women. How we work out as we get older, like so many things in life, needs to change. Pahla explains why.
The Peloton App
Even though I’m not super in love with the strength training via the Peloton App (I tell you why in my review here), I enjoy the bootcamps. There are lots of bloggers in our linkups that do love the strength training in the Peloton App, too!
The Movement
The movement is not your typical strength training — and that’s part of why I love it. Erin is super uplifting and encouraging, and the creator of my beloved Soul Strolls. Her strength workouts tend to be more Barre-inspired (think lighter weights, more reps) so it may not be your thing. There is so much more to the Movement than ST and I highly recommend this app too! Find it here (and you can start with a free 1 day trial).
Marcia’s Healthy & Coach Debbie Runs
We have our own secret weapons in the linkup! Marcia’s YouTube workouts (find them here) are mostly short but they ain’t easy. Coach Debbie Runs has lots of workouts for runners on her blog, too. Find them here.
Of course there’s also my YouTube Channel. Not so much strength training — although some Yoga, done right, will absolutely strengthen your muscles. I know that bodyweight exercises can be super effective, but I also feel that there is just so many benefits to adding in some weights. Guess what? I’m working on a Yoga with Weights video. So keep your eye out for that on my YouTube channel here within the next few weeks.
What are your online resources for strength training?
Have you found something new you love due to the Pandemic?
What’s your favorite fitness activity after running?
Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner
This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Some good resources here, Judy! I have never heard of “The Movement”, looks interesting.
I also do my workouts at home with online resources, my favourite is Pamela Reif.
Her core workouts are the toughest I’ve ever done! And on many videos, she just gets on with the workout without any talking, which I like a lot. 😉
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I’ve learned since becoming a Yoga teacher that it’s hard to start a class without talking. There’s so much we need to tell you! But I totally get why you want that too. I spent decades on the other side. 🙂
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That’s very true! I find talking and explaining very appropriate for a yoga class. Yoga teachers’ voices are usually very calming!
However, a coach that shouts around while doing jumping jacks or squats can be quite distracting. 😉
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Oh yes, I totally agree about the instructors that screams at you! I don’t find that motivating at all.
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These are really good resources! I haven’t had a membership to a traditional gym in about a year. Even if I were to cancel my OTF membership, I don’t think I’d ever go back to a gym because there are so many great virtual options to do the workouts at home.
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There were actually a lot of great options online before the Pandemic — but there are definitely even more now!
The good thing about group classes though is that you push yourself harder.
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Not being a coach, doctor or PT, I can only give my opinion.
That being said, in my opinion, you can do fine without any ST as long as you are active and happy.
I don’t enjoy or make time for it and I feel pretty good. Sure maybe I could be a better runner ….. maybe not. As I’ve aged (and I’m a lot older than you), I feel more energetic and less likely to get sick (Knock on wood.)
The pandemic has definitely not made to any ST but I do go out more and drive to see new places. I did that before when I worked in different places. Now I have to make that effort every day to leave the neighborhood.
Besides running, I used to enjoy tennis but I don’t play anymore. My next activity may be biking???
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I’m none of those things either. But we lose muscle as we age, and if we don’t strength train — well, you do the math. 🙂
It makes you stronger in every area of your life — I’ve been doing it for years, long before I started to run.
I don’t like biking. Never have, not even as a kid. But it’s good exercise. I’m happy with my stationary bike — really glad I already had both that & the treadmill, although I’m not sure how much longer my treadmill can survive.
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As i said, never lifted a weight and I feel pretty good. I do like the machines at the gym but I doubt my free gym will open anytime soon.
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Thanks for these resources! I will definitely have to check them out.
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You’re welcome.
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Yoga with weights sounds interesting. Can’t wait to see about that.
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It should be next week. Although after last week’s snafu, you never know. Thankfully our desktop is back up & running.
In the end it was an easy fix — but figuring it out not so easy.
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I’ve learned to love and appreciate strength training! The only thing I don’t like is that it takes away time from running and sometimes leaves my legs tired. But I know I need to do it to be able to continue running!
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I know for you time is at a premium! Some day it won’t be so bad. Although not any time soon, LOL!
I guess I was lucky that I got into ST long before I became a runner, but yup, it’s hard to get it done around the running.
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I completely agree that ST is so important as we age to stay functionally fit. I am fighting aging everyday by staying active and keeping my muscle mass. As you know, I love the variety of the Peloton app and the ability to stack shorter classes.
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We are definitely on the same page, Deborah.
The ability to stack classes is always awesome. 🙂
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Because I usually work out at the gym where I work, I’ve been gym-less since March (with a brief 3 week respite before California closed down again). It’s not all that different for me since I generally use free weights, TRX, and body weight even when I’m at the gym. I don’t usually watch a video though, just do my own thing. I’m happy to hear you like my workouts! Thanks for sharing.
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You have many great workouts, Debbie!
I do use videos. A lot. And before that — DVD! But I do often do my own thing with Yoga. Although sometimes it’s nice to take someone else’s class.
Hope you guys are safe from the fires!
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After running, kickboxing is my favorite. Of course, I can’t really do that right now. I haven’t really found anything to replace running in my heart, and during lockdown, that’s been my focus.
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I went through a brief time when I was really in love with kickboxing too (long before I started to run). Unfortunately I ended with tendinitis from it. 😦
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These are great resources and many that I’ve never heard of. I’ve had a gym membership but only went there to use the treadmills. Like you mentioned, I am loving the strength workouts in the Peloton app. Once it is safer outside, I doubt I will go to the gym anymore.
After running I would say that cycling is my next favorite thing.
Thank you for linking up!
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Like so much in my life, I like a lot of different things. Peloton sounds like it’s perfect for you!
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So far it is!
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