2026 Strength Training Accountability Thread

[SheHulk]

Come one, come all, and post your strength workouts here!

2026 Marathon Weekend is behind us, and, once again, despite having a good running training cycle, something on my left side crapped out on me at mile 17 (this time my quad, but it's always something it seems), and, frankly, I'm tired of it. Coming to realize I need to either get with strength training or quit running marathons. I'm starting this thread to try to get some accountability partners. Anybody interested? Post here when you do a strength training workout and get congratulated (by me at least)!

This thread is for everybody: If you already strength train all the time, we need you as a role model. If you struggle like me, come get and give some support.

 

[SheHulk]

I'll start: Today, I did a strength training routine for runners, the legs part, at least, found here:
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/cross-training/a43155365/7-best-strength-moves/
I meant to do some arms too but a) I hate it and b) I ran out of time before having to get ready for work.

 

[The Expert]

Great idea @SheHulk -- I'm in! I do a reformer Pilates class once a week, so that's kind of set, but as my running has ramped up, my weight training has dwindled. I have a home gym and ZERO valid excuse not to do it.

 

[SheHulk]

A class is a great idea and I’d love to try Pilates… I just have such a mental block around scheduling a class and having to be somewhere at a specific time. There is a Club Pilates studio right around the corner from me, maybe if they have an introductory thing I’ll do it someday. What are you getting out of Pilates?

 

[The Expert]

A class is a great idea and I’d love to try Pilates… I just have such a mental block around scheduling a class and having to be somewhere at a specific time. There is a Club Pilates studio right around the corner from me, maybe if they have an introductory thing I’ll do it someday. What are you getting out of Pilates?

I had the same hesitation for a long time, so I get it! But bottom line for me, having it on the calendar and having to GO somewhere to do it keeps me accountable. AND I'm paying for it, so if I haven't canceled or rescheduled within 12 hours out, I'm paying for it either way and may as well go.

Club Pilates is where I go. They do a free intro class for newbies weekly, and it took me a good three months to finally make myself go. I signed up on the spot for a four-class monthly pass. Scheduling is all on the app, and even if it looks full when my monthly passes hit, I have never had a waitlist not come through.

As for benefits, it's actually fun! It's a combination of fairly light strength work (springs, light hand weights, ball, body weight) and flexibility/balance work. The latter has really helped my running. The work on the reformer with the straps really helps you hone in to which side of your body is weaker. It forces you to find a balance and do the work evenly. And there's quite a bit of mat work with some classes/instructors with heel raises and other balance exercises that is super complimentary to running. There's always a lot of good stretching in between movements, too. I've found the instructors and classes that are challenging enough, so if the intro feels a little easy, know that you may need to ask other members or try a few classes to find your right fit(s). They also have class levels (1, 1.5, 2), and after four months I'm feeling confident enough to sign up for a few 1.5 level classes. If you get REALLY into it, there are one-on-one classes too. My studio doesn't do a hard sell, but ymmv.

If you think you want to try it, I have a referral code. I'm not sure what it gets us, but can't hurt: https://members.clubpilates.com/auth/register?referral_code=cp-cwsse

 

[SheHulk]

Intriguing... thank you for the code, that is definitely a plus. It always sounded like something runners can benefit from.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Great idea, @SheHulk!

I've mentioned this before, but I have been using Fitness Blender for many years and would definitely recommend it if you're like me and hate the idea of going anywhere for your workouts.

 

[nancipants]

Great thread! I have two days per week specified for strength training (Wednesday and Friday, which are non-running days), and try to do legs on running days (Tuesday or Thursday). I don't always succeed. I started with 5 pound dumbbells, went up to 8, and just got 10 pound dumbbells for Christmas. I definitely feel stronger in my arms! My legs? Unsure.

I usually do follow-along videos from Lisa Hart Fitness on YouTube, generally 20-30 minutes. (She won Princess last year!) Sometimes I do my own workouts while watching TV, and have a list of exercises I try to follow.

Another exercise recommended by Galloway is arm running. Basically, you do slow-motion arm movements as you would when you run, holding either dumbbells or gallon jugs or whatever you have around. I have REALLY noticed a change in my posture and core strength since doing these, and I use my arms a lot more when running now.

I also started doing some IT band exercises and stretches this week, hoping it will help my knee.

 

[The Expert]

Great idea, @SheHulk!

I've mentioned this before, but I have been using Fitness Blender for many years and would definitely recommend it if you're like me and hate the idea of going anywhere for your workouts.

Actually this may be of interest to me to get out of my weight training rut. I tend to do the same couple of workout rotations from my old trainer. Does Fitness Blender have anything for gym equipment? We have a pretty good setup with benches and machines but I just need someone to tell me what to do on them.

 

[KCO5988]

Yes! Need this thread! I always slack on strength training but really plan to make an effort during my "off season" this year!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Actually this may be of interest to me to get out of my weight training rut. I tend to do the same couple of workout rotations from my old trainer. Does Fitness Blender have anything for gym equipment? We have a pretty good setup with benches and machines but I just need someone to tell me what to do on them.

Typically it's just dumbbells and maybe a bench or step. But you can filter the videos by training type, equipment, upper/lower/core, etc. so if there's something in particular you're looking for, that's a good place to start.

 

[pluto377]

Perfect timing for this thread! I was just googling yesterday good workouts on youtube for runners. Fitness Blender was one of the ones I was going to check out. My goal is to strength train on Mondays and Thursdays on my lunch hour so I need short workouts where I won't get sweaty. I have a Planet Fitness membership so I might trade one of my weekend running days for a gym day at least until I start training for a specific event.

 

[Professor_Cookie]

Erm, if only I were more consistent…

I have two workouts that I try to alternate, things in pairs are performed as supersets

(Edit to add)- I would be remiss to not mention that when I’ve been off for awhile I usually start with one set the first week, 1 set + 2x half sets the second week, and then week by week add reps to the half sets until I’m at full sets of all. I think this helps mitigate some of the defeated feeling I get when I try to go back to the gym and can’t move for the next workout, when I am starting out.

A-
Warmup -5 min jumprope
3x
Push-ups 10
Prisoner squats/air squats 10
3x
Wide grip Lát pull downs 10
Forward Lunge 6
3x
Arnold press 8
Lateral lunge 6
3x
Hammer curl 10
Single leg deadlifts 6(per leg)
3x
Bicycle Crunch 10(per side)

B-

5 min jump rope
3x10 6-Beat burpees
3x narrow underhand grip pull downs
3x
Lateral raises
Bent fly
Wall sits(1 gradually lengthening set)
Chatterunga-(1 gradually lengthening set)

I tend to focus on being controlled and getting full ROM and not power(which I did when I was younger), and I would like to be able to do pull ups again some day, but our condos gym is not the place and I don’t feel like paying for one and having to drive to it.

 

[azrivest]

Thanks @SheHulk !

I've been trying to follow RunFitMama's training plan for Princess, which has 3 days of strength per week. I usually manage around 1-2 days, rarely 3.

Yesterday I managed some single-leg squats, plank clamshells, push-ups, shoulder presses and tricep dips. The last one was the worst for me, I've always had really weak triceps for some reason.

 

[jmasgat]

@SheHulk I have had the same thought to myself about the idea of running a marathon again (currently “done with marathons”). And I have had the same issue of non repeatable problems cropping up.

I have bookmarked a bunch of workouts—upper, lower, core, overall, easy, iron, etc, etc. I try to do 2-3 workouts /week, but they are not always the same workout, so I am sure I am suboptimizing. I also count Vinyasa yoga as a form of strength workout. Holding a warrior pose, doing chaturangas, balance poses, and doing stretches are all good for overall body structure.

My latest thought is to go back to my PT for a tuneup. Have him assess my current state and give me targeted exercises. I also have had chronic C5/C6 issues in the past, and need to be reminded what types of exercises I need to avoid so I don’t exacerbate that.

So far this week, I have done my upper body PT and 1 yoga session. I highly recommend DownDog if anyone is looking to dd that to their repertoire. Highly customizable. They also have HIIT and Pilates.