Forums >Running 101>Why I should run instead of lifting...
Afternoon all,
For the past 5 years, I have found lifting weights to be a transformative experience - rewarding, addictive and kickstarting my momentum for everyday.
However, I have mixed up my training with running over the years i.e. sprint training, or the occasional half-marathon to train for.
In the past 6 months, I have emigrated to the Middle East where the gyms are very, very expensive. Therefore, I have taken on a short-term gym membership in the mean-time to decide, what to do next.
I feel like running would enable me to hit my savings targets and truly believe that exercise should be inexpensive and accessible to all. However, I also feel like not lifting weights is denying myself pleasure.
As a forum dedicated to running - could you provide some encouragement as to why I should prioritise running over a gym subscription. I have recently read the works of David Goggins and Rich Roll and am trying to 'buy into' the romance of running.
Also, I have a few concerns and would love any thoughts on the following:
1) I am concerned that sometimes after running I feel exhausted to the detriment of being able to achieve all of my goals in the day. Is this a question of conditioning? Will this cease over time? After all, I know that I'm conditioned with lifting, so it would be unfair to say that I feel 'pepped' after lifting and 'wiped' after running when I am more conditioned for the former rather than the latter. Or, is this a consequence of testosterone depletion? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
2) I'm traditionally a hard-gainer and have had to work hard by lifting weights to develop a physique which I'm pleased with. What can I do to stop being softer and weaker when prioritising running over lifting? Rightly or wrong, for me, this is important. I see exercise and feeling good about myself as linked. Once again, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
run, rest & read
To question 1, yes, as you adapt you won't feel as tired for the rest of the day. If you are in the Middle East, is running outside during the day a real option for you? Don't know the climate where you are, but maybe it won't be so possible during some parts of the year.
To question 2, body weight training can give you lots of strength gains. Hypertrophy isn't so easy with body weight only, but possible. Look into Al Kavadlo's stuff, books etc. He has great programs that just require some floor space and a pull up bar.
Are the two absolutely mutually exclusive to you? I've done a bit of both (lifting 4x/week and running 2-3x, changing this ratio when training for long races) and have found the two to compliment each other nicely. By being purposeful about my caloric intake, I've been able to not lose any noticeable amounts of muscle and my lifting numbers haven't dropped a bit. If they're not mutually exclusive, the answer to #2 may just be "do both!"
I have always done both.
It's kind of amazing how kind and considerate people are around here, despite questions like this one... Or 4 minutes mile thread... - you are really nice people, you all should know that...
paces PRs - 5K - 5:48 / 10K - 6:05 / HM - 6:14 / FM - 6:26 per mile
This now is my cue to flame the OP.... must resist.
https://www.strava.com/athletes/2507437
PR's - 5K - 17:57 (2017) | 10K - 38:06 (2016) | 13.1 1:23:55 (2019) | 26.2 2:58:46 (2017)
2020 Goals - Sub-2:55 Marathon Up Next: TBD, Boston on 9/14?
It's an honour to be open a dialogue with such inclusive and engaging members of the running community like yourself.
Re: the question of the two being mutually-exclusive, in this case absolutely yes. I know the simple answer that it may be seen to be escaping me is the question of balance. Of course, balancing the two is best. Like I said back in the UK, I was running half-marathons whilst deadlifting and squatting and I loved that.
Of course, the question of spending the equivalent of 200GBP on a gym membership just feels absurd, so I'm trying to convince myself that going 'all in' on running is the solution. Given my genetics and what I've enjoyed in the past, I don't necessarily think I would pursue running whole-heartedly if it wasn't a question of finance. So, I guess the reason why I'm posing this question is to try and embrace running 100% (I know balance is best, but it isn't financially viable)
Thank you for all of the enthusiasm. Hearing why you enjoy running is infectious and helping me make this lifestyle change.
Good luck : )
Body weight strength training, all you need is a pull up bar, not a gym. I've never had a gym membership in my life and I'm middle aged now.
Is it possible to buy some used weights cheap over there?
Do both. Running for cardio and general fitness, lifting for strength and muscle definition. If doing both on the same day, lifting before running should be easier and less exhausting. Get some equipment for home weights workouts in case you can't or don't want to use the gym. There are also plenty of muscle-building exercises to try that don't require equipment.
I do both as well. Right now I do a 2 mile run at 5am. Throughout the day I do 60 push ups, 30 pull-ups and then a specific dumbbell workout-today is 21's for example. I started full time second week of April and while I have only lost 9 pounds (Down to 241 from 250) I am in my 36 pants and can squeeze into my old 34's. I was at size 40 or LARGE 38's. So I think I strong mixture of both is good. I just don't believe after a certain age there is a need to "bulk" up like I see some people doing. MY neighbor lifted so heavy throughout his 30's into his early 40's he stopped for a year around 45 or 46 and all that muscle quickly turned to fat. I'd say do pull ups and push ups and squats (I do no weight squats) as much as you want and targeted weight lifting. For example Biceps and triceps are good.
That is just one mans opinion
... MY neighbor lifted so heavy throughout his 30's into his early 40's he stopped for a year around 45 or 46 and all that muscle quickly turned to fat.
I hope you didn't mean this literally! On the off chance someone may think like this:
Muscle tissue cannot turn into fat. That would be like bone turning into skin.
Your neighbor just got fat, and it doesn't take much of a fat layer over muscle to lose definition and have a big muscular strong person just look fat.
This again. It's a comet topic that has been coming up in running message boards since the 1820s.
You have been conditioned by social media to view everything as an either/or choice. Do this instead of that. Pick one over two. Make a list.In real life this is mostly bullshit.
As you age, you will benefit most by strength training (to slow down muscle loss as we age along with some other fun aging stuff) AND ALSO keeping your cardio health in tip top shape.So, run and lift. You aren't going to get muscle-bound.
And stuff about muscle turning into fat... that is not a thing.