Fitness Classes for Runners

During my previous attempts at following training plans, I tended to be a little 'lazy' about doing anything other than the actual running. Yes, I was well aware that cross training and targeted conditioning work could help prevent the muscular imbalances which can arise when you do nothing but pound the pavements everyday.. but, I liked to run. Sitting pedalling on a bike or pulling myself lap - by - lap around a swimming pool just seemed, well, a bit boring really! And as for the squats, lunges and complicated movements involving gym balls, kettlebells or some other equally ominous-sounding piece of equipment - well that was just hard! And not in the painful-but-weirdly-fun kind of way that running was... it was just hard, painful... and if I'm honest, simply left me feeling annoyed and more than a little grumpy! Not pleasant for anyone.

My opinion on this cross-training was however rather forcibly changed when, having ignored all sensible advice being thrown at me, I both upped my training rather quickly and replaced cross training with... well, running! I couldn't get enough of it - or the 'runners high' that it gave me each night. My body, however, disagreed and after a few warning grumbles - and, to be fair to my legs, quite a lot of shouting - I was signed off from running with very painful shin splints. Any kind of weight bearing exercise felt like agony - even walking - and sudden drop in exercise made me a pretty grumpy person to be around!

After a couple of weeks sitting around feeling sorry for myself, I gradually came to accept that I was going to have to find some other form of exercise and so, with a slightly grumpy attitude and the phrase 'I'd rather be running' practically tattooed across my forehead, I started experimenting. Any activity which didn't hurt, I tried - and, to my surprise, I started to find I enjoyed it! OK, maybe not all of it... but using my body in lots of different ways was both challenging and made me much more aware of my strengths and weaknesses - something which, when I returned to running, I was very grateful for!

All the cross training I had done meant that I returned to running a stronger person than when I had been forced to stop - both physically (I now had strong everything, rather than just strong legs!) and mentally (doing and hour and a half of swimming when you find even 5 minutes excruciatingly boring is most definitely mentally challenging!!) - and, at the start of marathon training, I vowed to keep it up!

Given that I do the majority of my running alone, I have now opted for group classes for my non-running days - working out with other is a massive motivation boost and keeps me looking forward to going. Plus, there's the added bonus that, if your not feeling enthusiastic one day, chances are any friends you have made will drag you along anyway! Most gyms these days offer a huge range of classes - many of which can have benefits for runners. The ones I have been going to, and the ones I credit with keeping me injury free (so far...!), faster in speed work and stronger up hills are:

Body Pump

This is a non-impact resistance training class which works every major muscle group in your body. Using barbells and adjustable weights, you squat, press, lift and curl for up to 800 reps - and you feel it! The class is done to energising music and you have control over just how much weight you are using - so start low and increase every 6 weeks or so as you get stronger! I found this class brilliant for helping me with both speed and hill work, finding the hills now that I am stronger. The fact that it works all muscles evenly is good as well, helping to prevent imbalances, and keeping the arms looking as toned as the legs!

Body Conditioning

This class is very similar to body pump, only using handheld weights, or simply your own bodyweight. Again, lots of lunges, squats, press ups and sit-ups - and lots of sore muscles the next day! A great class for toning and a good introduction before body pump if you haven't done any strength work before.

Spin

I love this class! Its a brilliant cardiovascular workout and, being non-impact, is good to give your joints a break from all the running. It will strengthen your legs as well - so a good running alternative. Be warned though - its hard! The bonus is that you choose just how hard, as you control the resistance on the pedals (how hard you have to push...!) and the speed - although the instructor is very motivating and will encourage you to give it your all. The workout is again done to loud, upbeat music, and the setting is a bit like going to a night club (very odd when you go at 9am...) - but that all helps to keep you going! Also a great calorie burner, which never hurts ;-)

Circuits

This is a class which again works all of your body, but in short, intensive bursts. You will get your heart pumping as you run, skip or jump, and your muscles burning as you alternate sets of press ups, sit ups, squats, lunges and more. Because you constantly swop activity, the class never gets boring - and it never hurts for too long!! A good, fun class for both strengthening and cardio work.


Yoga and Pilates

I have grouped these together as I use them for a similar reason - to strengthen my core (I find pilates best for this but yoga is also good) and to stretch out my hard-working muscles - both essential factors in keeping injury free! I have to admit, it took me a while to appreciate the classes as I enjoy high-impact, high-energy exercise - but when you get into to 'zone', these are relaxing and a lovely class to do on a rest day, or after a stressful day at work. I like to follow with a sauna and steam room session when I have time!


So with all those classes, I keep pretty busy! Anyone else use other gym classes to boost their running?