I have a question about strength training and running

nikkistarrr
nikkistarrr Posts: 8
in Fitness and Exercise
Instead of going to a gym, I bought 'the book You Are Your Own Gym' and am planning on starting the beginner level this week. It has 4 days of strength training, and the first 2 weeks are days 1&3 arms/chest and days 2&4 legs/core...I am doing c25k 3 days a week, and I am going to have a rest day (sunday) but I don't know if I should be doing cardio on the days I strength train, and if I don't, well, that means I can't have a rest day lol.
So I guess I'm just wondering is if it would be best to do strength training/running on the same days?
Also, do I do all 4 days of strength training in a row or every other day?

Replies

  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    You can do cardio & strength in the same day. Do the strength part first though. Or if you can separate them then it doesnt matter. Like one before work, the other after work.
    If you do legs & try to run, that could leave your running pretty slow, so be aware of that.
    You could do the strength 2 days on, rest, 2 days on. Or every other day, it really doesn't matter.
    M-Upper body & C25K
    T-Lower body
    W-C25K
    Th-Upper
    F-Lower
    Sat-C25K
  • beachlover317
    beachlover317 Posts: 2,848 Member
    I do Stronglifts 5X5 three times a week. I run (treadmill or outside) 3 times a week. I have one complete rest day. I don't do them on the same day, but alternate days - however, I'm older than you. Listen to your body and take a rest week/diet break week every 2 months or so.
  • nikkistarrr
    nikkistarrr Posts: 8
    Ok, thank you both!!! :)
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    You can do cardio & strength in the same day. Do the strength part first though. Or if you can separate them then it doesnt matter. Like one before work, the other after work.
    If you do legs & try to run, that could leave your running pretty slow, so be aware of that.
    You could do the strength 2 days on, rest, 2 days on. Or every other day, it really doesn't matter.
    M-Upper body & C25K
    T-Lower body
    W-C25K
    Th-Upper
    F-Lower
    Sat-C25K

    This looks like a solid plan. You also may find that you don't really need a totally nothing rest day and if that's the case you can just split everything out. As long as you're progressing and not dragging all the time you'll be fine. Play with the scheduling until you find what works for you.
  • burbacka1132
    burbacka1132 Posts: 19 Member
    Try the app, it's really great. You can choose from different workouts and it puts is all together for you, along with video of how to do each rep, as well as a built-in timer.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    Absolutely have no fear doing th both on the same day. If you were planning to run a great deal longer, like half marathon distance than I would be worried but as is now you are completely fine. I have 3 days a week where my strength and cardio sessions meet on the same day. I found I perform better at both if I do my strength training in the morning as my cardio at night.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    You can do cardio & strength in the same day. Do the strength part first though. Or if you can separate them then it doesnt matter. Like one before work, the other after work.
    If you do legs & try to run, that could leave your running pretty slow, so be aware of that.
    You could do the strength 2 days on, rest, 2 days on. Or every other day, it really doesn't matter.
    M-Upper body & C25K
    T-Lower body
    W-C25K
    Th-Upper
    F-Lower
    Sat-C25K

    I second this motion!

    It's good to keep a day where you do nothing or leave free to do something unscheduled, impromptu, fun, etc (possibly with family or friends). So Sunday works for that.

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