Runners turned lifters

RUN_LIFT_EAT · February 2016

Any longtime runners who switched to lifting as your main/sole workout? What changes did you see in your body over how long a time period? How did your diet change? Any other positive or negative experiences you'd like to share about making the switch?

datsundriver87 · February 2016

Not sure if I completely qualify here but was a cardio bunny all last year didn't touch a weight at all while I was losing weight, switched to weight lifting in November and so far I haven't seen a massive appearance change, except maybe being a little more bulky in general, but I've maintained my weight since November and more than doubled my strength, so I know it's working. My calorie consumption is a good 500-700 calories more a day and I've paid allot more attention to macros, it's gonna be tough to go on a cut and drop my calories down again I'm loving eating all the eggs and chicken I want

Equus5374 · February 2016

I'm a distance runner and for a few months last year I concentrated on lifting. It seemed to help me burn fat a little faster than my running does. I didn't change my diet really. The lifting seemed to also help with running in the sense that I felt my core was stronger and I had an easier time powering up hills. I love running so much so I won't ever completely switch, but I think the lifting definitely had benefits for me physically and with my running in general.

DStroyNKonker · February 2016

I've been running for a few years. In the spring I start training for a September half-marathon and I run about 5 days a week. When the winter rolls around I like to change it up. This year I've dropped down to running 20km/week and I'm doing Body Beast so lifting 5 days/week. Running has always been the easiest way for me to stay lean, but only lifting has ever made any noticeable difference in muscle definition. I spend about 3 months focusing on lifting and I notice changes in less than that. I play roller derby too and both lifting and running have played a role in increasing strength/endurance. I couldn't tell you which I prefer.

lkpducky · February 2016

I've been a runner for years and have completed over 20 marathons. However, more injuries have been cropping up in the past 2-3 years. I've also lifted off and on for years but am doing so more regularly now, 3 times a week. I have decided that I can't just concentrate on one activity, but should get stronger through the whole body. The lifting is helping with body composition and hopefully making running injuries less likely.

McCloud33 · February 2016

I never touched weights until June 2014. I played soccer in school (and even after) so I was always a "runner". I did very little of anything for about a 10 year period and got all the way up to 235lbs. I finally decided to lose weight and so I did it the best way I knew how...run. I lost 50 lbs this way, but then I started weight training too and it really changed my shape. Below is my progress up to last spring. You can see a big difference between 185 and 182 and that is where I started lifting.

I also found that it really helped my running. It gave me more speed. I was able to break the 20min 5k barrier at about 170lbs last year and had a couple of 2 mile sprints under 13min.

LeanButNotMean44 · February 2016

I used to run 6 days/week, no other form of exercise. I ran races at all distances, including a couple of ultras. When I met my guy, he "converted" me into a lifter first, runner second. Now, I lift 4-5x/week and run once per week (plus other forms of cardio 2-3x/week).

I have seen a pretty big change in my body since I started primarily lifting. When I only ran, I definitely fit the description of "skinny fat". Now I have WAY more muscle and a ton more definition in my upper body. My lower body is and always will be my trouble spot (as it is for a lot of women, I think) but I think it will eventually progress.

IMHO (and hopefully not sounding conceited), I think I look better than I ever have in my life at 47 years old and think that lifting has been a MAJOR life-changer. I also wear the same size clothes that I did when I ran and was 10+lbs lighter.

time2cutnow · February 2016

I was a runner for 3 years with minimal lifting and have switched to primarily lifting in the last year. I've seen dramatic changes. For one I now have a butt and abs which were nearly impossible for me to achieve with solely running. Also I can run way faster since I started lifting.

I lift 6 x a week and run 3 miles 4x a week. I'm currently cutting, but when I was bulking I would only run 1 - 2 x a week.

I saw changes within a month or two, but significant changes after 6 months.

I will look for some comparison progress pics of running vs lifting.

Runners turned lifters

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