Hey Marathoner!
If you’re looking to get faster and avoid stupid injuries, adding strength training to your training plan is the way to go. As the RUN FASTER NOW coach, I’m all about helping marathoners run faster races, and I can tell you that the Orangetheory Strength 50 classes are a great way to build your durability and speed.
Why Choose Orangetheory Strength 50?
So, what’s the deal with these classes?
Orangetheory Strength 50 is all about strength and resistance training, which is perfect for keeping your joints stable and muscles balanced. The Strength 50 classes run alongside the Tread 50 treadmill classes; but you only sign up for one or the other, not both.
The Strength 50 classes are 50 minutes long and come in three flavors: total body, lower body, and upper body. Doing these classes twice a week during your marathon season is a smart move. Offseason? You can crank it up to three or four times a week.
Pro tip: Running is a full body sport, so make sure to mix it up with upper and lower body work, not just the legs.
What’s It Like?
Think energetic vibes, motivating coaches, and lifts outside of your comfort zone. It’s not as intense as CrossFit, but you’ll definitely feel the burn and get results! The focus here is on building functional strength to keep your running form fast and injury resistant. Plus, you don’t have to worry about planning your strength training—it’s all done for you. And, if your form needs a little tweak, the coaches are there to help you get the most benefit out of your lifts and minimize your injury risks.
My Take on Group Strength Training
Back in the day, during my track years at USC, weightlifting was a big part of our training. Going to the weight room after practice was always fun. We had our favorite tunes blasting, and the encouragement (read: yelling) kept us all pushing for that extra rep. Fast forward to post-college life, and my solo gym sessions really lacked that energy. It got boring, and I eventually stopped.
Knowing how crucial weight training is for running and my personal fitness, I pivoted to group classes like Orangetheory. Trust me, it’s way more fun and effective working out in a group. It keeps me accountable and motivated.
So if you’re a marathoner without a regular strength regimen, you should definitely try Orangetheory, especially the Strength 50 classes. Warning: They fill up quickly!
And if you’re worried about bulking up—don’t be. Again, your primary goal is to improve your muscle balance and joint stability to run efficiently and prevent injuries—not gettin’ swole.
Cheers to running 💪,
Martise : )
P.S. – If you’d like to try Orangetheory with a FREE class, feel free to use my referral link.
P.S.S. – If you want to run faster and longer in your Orangetheory class, check out my free RUN FASTER NOW Minicourse : )
P.S.S.S. – If you know your running form could probably use a tune-up—get one now!
