Jumping into the Peloton Community can be the most wonderful thing a runner can do. We all know we should do some sort of crosstraining and strength training. Peloton offers runners a huge plethora of classes to choose from. However, this can also be a curse of sorts. It is easy to fall into the “do all the classes” mentality and find yourself hurting your run performance or worse, getting injured. How can you successfully pair running with Peloton Cycle and Strength Classes?
How To Pair Running With Peloton Cycle and Strength Classes
When you are new to Peloton (or even if you have been a devoteé for a long time), it is easy to want to “take all of the classes”. A variety of classes is one of the best perks of Peloton but it takes some planning and well, self control to avoid falling into this trap. I equate this to the same feelings we might have when trying to lose weight. We can eat all of the foods we love but just not every day.
Determine your goals
If improving running pace or increasing base mileage is your current goal. then your other workouts should support that goal. Instructor, Matt Wilpers says “make your main thing your main thing”. If running is your main thing right now, then your other workouts should support that goal.
Plan your week or workouts
First, determine how many days and which days you typically run and build your weekly schedule from there. Plan which days you will add strength training and/or cycling classes to the mix. This is where it can become tricky. Some runners prefer to do strength training on the same day that they run (normally post run) while others prefer to do their strength training on non run days.
I offer you this weekly plan based on a 3-4 day a week run schedule with 2-3 days of strength training and one rest day. While I am a certified running coach and group exercise instructor I am not your coach. This is a suggested schedule that may or may not work for you.
I am offering this weekly schedule that pairs running with Peloton Cycling and Strength Training classes in a way that focuses on running as the main goal. This would be appropriate for someone who is already running 3-4 days a week and looking to add in Peloton cycling and strength training classes to balance out their fitness routine.
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Many runners (myself included) find it challenging to get in solid lower body strength workouts without feeling sore on their run the next day. I’ve set up this schedule to allow for a rest day the day after a lower-body workout. This allows you to get in a solid lower body day without it impacting your run performance.
It is tough to fit it all in! With a little planning and restraint, it is doable to pair running with Peloton cycling and strength and have a successful outcome for each. How do you pair your running and strength training?
Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Laura, Me, Debbie, Jen, Lisa
I could see myself falling into the trap of taking ALL the classes! It’s important to be disciplined about it and I love your suggestions.
I follow a similar pattern: I do core/upper body/glutes 5 days a week. On the two days where I do my long runs, I only stretch. That stretching feel so good!
The stretching always feels good! I have found that I have to be careful when I do my lower body strength before a run
I could definitely see how it would be easy to want to do all of the classes. It seems like when people post their classes they take so many, but I know sometimes they are short. Its a good idea to plan workouts ahead of time so you can prioritize what you want to focus on.
Yes it really helps me to plan the type of workout and then fill in the specific classes each day
All great ideas.
As I’ve said many times I don’t do any ST.
I think about it. But I have to plan it and do it.
I barely have time to run. And I guess that’s my priority.
It is important to work on what is your priority. I am a big fan of strength training for women and it has helped me tremendously
I’m so poor at combining running with strength training. I always say I’ll do it but I’m starting to sound like a broken record. I guess like Darlene, I just prioritise running because I like it and don’t make a real effort to plan strength work. Definitely an area I should work on.
Prioritizing your goals is certainly important. It can be hard to fit it all in for sure. I am a big fan of strength training and feel it’s really important to do as you age
especially because I do OTF and Peloton, planning out my workouts for the week has been key. It’s really easy to get wrapped up in everything the app has to offer and try to do all the classes but that’s definitely a recipe for disaster!
Yes I bet that makes it even more challenging but you do seem to have it figured out!
Thank you for creating such an easy to follow schedule. I love using my Peloton, but miss fitting in my running too. Love it!
It can be challenging to fit it all in! Glad you found it helpful
Many of my coaching clients love their Peloton! For some, I give easy runs and then we do intensity on the bike; others use the bike for cross-training/recovery days.
It can be tough to fit it all in with strength training too
Pairing running and strength training is hard- I still don’t really have it figured out. I do different things each week and sometimes it works better than others. Your schedule looks good- I like the rest (or stretch/yoga) day in between lower body strength and the long run.
It is challenging. It took me a long time to realize that my body appreciated the rest day after the lower body workout and before the long run. Happy to offer any advice anytime!
I like that you have such a variety of movements on your schedule – running, cycling, lower body strength, upper body strength, yoga…I tend to get in ruts where I don’t look forward to exercising as much, but that seems to happen less when I mix things up. Smart thinking!
Yes mixing it up really does help keep things interesting
It is SO tough to keep everything in balance. I’ve been doing a similar schedule as you shared, but it’s been working out well (so far) to do my cycling on the same days as my running (but my cycling is not too intense; more for recovery or extra cardio). I’ve held off on Peloton for “fear” of doing all the classes LOL Who would have ever though this kind of problem could exist? Definitely not my younger self LOL
You do seem to have a great schedule in place. I do think you would enjoy the variety of classes though 🙂
I haven’t tried any of the Peloton workouts but I’ve heard really good things. They seem like they’re really fun! I may have to give that a try in the future!
I think you would love them. They are still offering a free trial-just saying 🙂
Great tips and suggestions! It can be hard to fit everything in but sounds like you have it down.
yes it can be hard to fit it all in
This sounds like a great plan of attack!
Thanks!
This is such a great way to get the benefits out of both types of exercise. It’s hard to balance both but this is some great advice to do it.
It can be super hard to balance and fit it all in
This is so useful! I am about to buy the Peloton bike and want to use it all the time but still need to stay on track with my other workouts.
Congrats! You are going to love it! Happy to answer any questions you may have feel free to reach out
This sounds like a great way to mix it up! I don’t have a Peloton, but have a bike on a trainer, so can definitely follow this plan.
It can be hard to fit it all in!
I’ve seen so many runners jump on the Peloton train! It seems like a great way to cross-train. Peloton manages to make fitness look fun. Good advice on how to fit it all in.
Fitness is fun with Peloton but it can be hard to fit it all in
this is a really good guideline Deborah! thanks for this. I don’t use Peloton, but Les Mills instead. There are also a lot of classes (called releases) to choose from. I tend to stick to the same and every time I want to mix it up I can’t decide. So I think first determining how I want my week to look and then make a decision for each day is the best idea instead of just scrolling through and not deciding at all!
That sounds like a good plan it can be overwhelming. Happy to assist in any way that I can