Conditioning program

Llamapants86
Llamapants86 Posts: 1,221 Member
edited November 12 in Social Groups
My plan is to move from SL 5x5 to something geared toward conditioning. I think that with my 5k in May and being on a cut, sticking to a strength program probably isn't going to work towards my goals effectively.
The problem I have is that google pops up with 8239858275287094509784 different programs and I really do not know what to look for. Any tips on what to look for or recommendations? I feel pretty lost on this.

Replies

  • Fittreelol
    Fittreelol Posts: 2,535 Member
    What are you looking to get out of a program? Typically conditioning just refers to cardio geared towards increasing strength; ie making sure your lungs aren't the limiting factor in amrap sets. It can also just refer to cardio in general or GPP- general physical preparedness. Big burly he men can't call their treadmill time cardio!!!!! I would think your 5k training world cover both of these.
  • a_stronger_steph
    a_stronger_steph Posts: 434 Member
    I'm not anything remotely resembling an expert, but I thought I'd chime in and mention that my fastest races were run when I was incorporating strength training. So if you wanted to stick with a strength program, it might end up helping instead of hindering. Your call, of course - especially being on a cut, I have no idea how things work with bulking and cutting and racing and lifting. :smile: Sorry I can't actually help with the question. No idea about conditioning programs!

    Good luck! Have fun!
  • krokador
    krokador Posts: 1,794 Member
    edited February 2015
    If you have access to kettlebells or a few different weights of dumbbells, i could probably share with you the program I was doing in January - the Garage Built Body. I got it while it was on sale but I don't think I'd be ready to pay 40$ for it which is the cost of the program right now. So I can share. It's not like I haven't posted every single workout on the daily check-in tread anyway :p

    There's http://crossfitfootball.com/ that has some kind of powerlifting program + WODs which make it pretty effective at conditioning. Although their website confuses me so I never looked into it that far.

    There's a 5/3/1 for football somewhere out there that might be interesting. Any program that focuses on sports would be good for general conditioning, IMO

    If you're looking for something free there are indeed a lot of options, but they pretty much all boil down to a similar thing: strength training paired with high intensity circuits. Thinking here anything about obstacle races could work (although those tend to be a LOT of running and then mostly bodyweight). Maybe this one? http://breakingmuscle.com/strength-conditioning/6-week-training-plan-for-your-obstacle-course-tough-mudder-spartan-race

    But you could also just do 5/3/1 and add a crossfit WOD at the end and get similar results, I think.

    If you wanna work on running but not make it 100% your main focus, do a 2 or 3 day full-body and run on off days. Focus on single limb moves (DB or KB) to develop coordination and core stability to get you more mobile. Include POWER moves in your routine (cleans, squat jumps, DB snatches). Do some AMRAPS, EMOMs or intervals on time instead of rep ranges. It really doesn't have to be super complicated?

    Hope that helps and does not confuse you any further, lol. I know I'll never let strength take a backseat to running even if my plan is to run several obstacle races this summer. It's all about balance, right?
  • Llamapants86
    Llamapants86 Posts: 1,221 Member
    I think maybe conditioning was the wrong term. I am looking for something to balance with my running that still keeps me in the weight room but I am finding stronglifts to just be too much (weight, volume and starting to get plain boring). I definitely want to make sure I am keeping my strength, but something that will also help my overall fitness would be nice.
    I've also been thinking about signing up for an obstacle race as well. That would require some great improvement in that realm.
  • Fittreelol
    Fittreelol Posts: 2,535 Member
    If you're just looking to maintain your strength you could do SL 3x5 or even 1x5 twice a week alternating A and B. Or you could do the "Jack *kitten*" 531 template with squat+bench one day and DL+OHP another day. If you plan on competing in obstacle races I would add a lot of upper body pulling as accessories- pull/chin ups/all the rows, maybe some farmers walks if you have weak grip. I've never competed in an obstacle race, but I do watch a lot of ninja warrior, and it seems all about upper body pulling.
  • Llamapants86
    Llamapants86 Posts: 1,221 Member
    Thanks for the input. I think I am going to run wendlers 5/3/1 and just have a bunch of pulling/grip accessories (and all the rows) on Bench and press days and then power moves like Krok suggested on lower days. I am used to the structure of SL 5x5 and branching out is terrifyingly exciting and my first instinct is to complicate the hell out of it.
This discussion has been closed.