This week I am joining the Friday Five link up sponsored by Eat Pray Run DC, Mar on the Run and You Signed Up for What. The theme for this week is “Five Things I Love About _____”
Five Things I Love About Strength Training
1. Variety. Sure, you can do long runs, easy runs, hill repeats or sprints, but running is still running. And cycling is still cycling, no matter which route we explore. On the other hand, “strength training” encompasses a huge variety of exercises, from subtle isometrics to sweaty plyometrics. Some of my favorite strength training exercises include lunges, squats, push-ups and triceps dips.
2. Conditioning. I do love running and cycling, and I have learned that strength training can help me get better at both. Here are some strength exercises for runners and here are some strength exercises for cyclists.
3. Rehabilitation. When I do fall victim to a running injury, strength training usually puts me on the road to recovery. While I’d rather not be sidelined, I’m usually glad that there is something I can do to help get better. If you aren’t doing planks now, you may be doing them in rehab!
4. Results. Even though I’ve been exercising consistently for years now, a new strength exercise can quickly identify the muscle groups I’ve been neglecting. Instead of being discouraged, I accept the challenge and am rewarded with the sense of accomplishment that comes with being able to complete a few sets a few weeks after I could barely complete a few reps.
Those pictures don’t lie–strength training gets results.
5. Weight Control. It’s been a few years since I lost those “last 5 pounds” that I struggled with for almost a decade after losing 40 pounds, and my weight has pretty much held steady ever since. Since I am not very vigilant about my diet and I don’t run off that many calories, I credit my consistent strength training for building up my muscle mass, increasing my metabolism and tipping the balance of the calories in/calories out energy equation in my favor.
Speaking of which, one more thing I’m loving this week is the POPSUGAR Must Have Snacks by NatureBox, which was provided to me by POPSUGAR and NatureBox.
The box included six different snacks: dried peaches, blueberry almond bites, seaweed rice pops, lemon pucker pistachios, and must have trail mix. So far I have tried (and loved) the dried peaches and must have trail mix. I am waiting to share the pistachios with my husband so I don’t eat the whole bag at once. 😉
For a limited time, you can order POPSUGAR Must Have Snacks by NatureBox for 50% off here.
POPSUGAR and NatureBox provided me with a complimentary POPSUGAR Must Have Snacks by NatureBox box. The opinions I have shared about the box are my own, and POPSUGAR and NatureBox did not tell me what to say or how to say it.
Do you like strength training?
What are your favorite and least favorite exercises?
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for me it is all all all all the fact I found my voice in the weight room.
Strength training has definitely made me a better runner, but I need to become more consistent this year. I am actually thinking about getting a personal trainer to help me get back to a consistent routine.
I love strength training when I actually commit to doing it. I wish i could have a personal trainer because I do so much better when I have someone telling me what to do and pushing me harder. But it is guaranteed to get rid of those 5lbs for me as well. I really need to get back to it on a regular basis!
I’ve made it a part of my schedule – 2 or 3 days a week. But, my schedule is more routine than yours!
I love strength training and have done it religiously for about 10 years now. I love feeling as though I am getting stronger and seeing changes in my body. You’re arms look great in the photo! Whatever you are doing is working!
Thanks! I was doing Tina’s BestBody Bootcamp programs at home – so sad she stopped, but I’m recycling my old plans!
I have currently “fallen victim” to an injury and am hopping my strength training will put me on the path to recovery. I’m almost there, I think!
I hope you get well and stay strong! With each of my injuries I’ve discovered muscle weaknesses or imbalances and tried to stay consistent with those exercises — like planks, planks and more planks!
I sit here with jello arms because I just finished my strength workout. I do enjoy a good strength workout, although I only discovered this about 2 years ago. I’m so glad I did. Great post as usual!!
When I stay committed I love strength training – love the results, especially that it helps make me a better runner. But I must admit my consistency has been lacking!
I laughed at the first one because sometimes I feel like I get in a rut with strength training. I get to the gym and it’s the same machines, but I like those machines, they make me strong!
You know I love my strength training. You make an excellent point about rehab. It’s the unpopular reason to train, but sooooo important!
Rehab is what forced me into strength training the first time, but now I love it in its own right. Plus there’s lots of opportunity for badassery.
I am a cardio lover… but am starting to love strength (or rather what STRENGTH does for my body). I need to mark it in my calendar (like I do my running plan) so I can grow and remember strength too 🙂
I schedule strength training in 2 or 3 days a week, alternating with running or spinning. 😉
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I need to find my love of strength training…and keep it. It comes and goes too often 😉
Stopping by from the Friday Five link up :). I’m just getting back into strength training. I did p90x a few months back and I was in the best shape of my life!
I’ve heard such good things about that program! The great thing about strength training is that you really can see results in a pretty short period of time.
I love strength training – lately I have scaled back while getting ready for my ultra but after next weekend I will be back at it!!
I like doing things with my own body weight (pushups, planks, etc.) more than I like machines. But yes, I do enjoy (sometimes!) strength training! You do look great — it’s paying off!
Thanks. I do a lot of body weight exercise too – that certainly can be enough!
I used to take a class called power hour. it was great. I miss it!
Great point about strength training being a whole variety of things! Never thought of it like that. You can never get sick of strength training because there is always something new to try, whether it’s lowering your reps, doing plyo workouts, or trying something new like Crossfit…I love strength training as well!
I am slowly learning to love strength training, but it is still a struggle to make myself do it.
I love strength training too and I agree, its a great alternative to running. I work on my upper body most of the time because I love having sexy, defined arms & shoulders, especially with spring here and summer coming. I don’t have just one favorite exercise – I do many different ones as I think variety is very important. I hate burpees but that’s not “strength training” :).
I love strength training almost as much as I love running! Burpees! Ugh. I’ll do them but I’m not going to like them.
I really need to commit to strength training more consistently – I vary between barre classes (light weights and body weight training), home video workouts, and various other things but feel as though I need consistency with it! It does make a huge difference for me!