Training

lucyholdcroft363

Hi guys,

So I'm wanting to work on both cardio and strength at once. I enjoy running and run around six miles three times a week. However, I also want to begin strength training.

Would it be too much to go for my run early morning then head to the gym in the evening and do a strength session that same day for the three/four times a week rather than going to the gym every day pretty much?

I'm not looking to bulk up, just to retain as much muscle as possible during my loss.

Thanks.

vespiquenn

I did this while still training for my half marathon because the gym daily wasn't practical for me, and I enjoyed both running and lifting too much to give either one up.

In a case like that, if you're only doing it to maintain muscle mass, just getting it done is better than not.

peleroja

I do something like this - morning runs with some lunchtime strength sessions on the same day - and it works for my purposes. However, I'm not on any kind of lifting program or anything, I just like to run and go do some strength stuff because I know it's good for me. Any little gains are fine for me and I don't mind slow progress or no progress really because running is my focus.

Worse, I don't do any lower-body work or do any compound lifts, so you might wish to discard my anecdote if you don't plan to just muck about with pull-ups and rows and other mostly-upper body focused stuff. I'm pretty much just looking to make sure I don't end up with doughy arms and muscular runner's legs on the same body, it's not cute.

giantrobot_powerlifting

Cardio doesn't necessarily have to be steady state cardio. If you want to keep or minimize lean mass but desire a calorie burn, try hill sprinting, sled work, or Tabatas. Heck walking is great too.

Big plus is you could do this at the gym in 10 minutes or less after your strength work.

rybo

Yes that is perfectly fine

tillerstouch

Yes that would work well and would give yourself some rest time so your cadio and weight lifting dont effect each other as much.

Also dont worry about getting bulky, it wont happen. Go lift heavy.

pmm3437

Split sessions is fine, so long as you allow adequate recovery time in between, otherwise your lifts will suffer.

When combining both into a single session, the normal recommendation is for cardio after lifting, with the exception of a brief warmup if desired.

Long duration steady state cardio can be catabolic, but since your not looking to add mass, this should have little affect, so long as you are getting adequate protein in your nutrition plan.