Are Bodyweight Exercises Enough?

Let’s be honest, as a runner, you’re probably not doing that much strength training…

You’ve likely gotten into a nice routine of running a handful of times per week. You feel good and you enjoy your weekly runs. This is a great place to be. But over time, this routine will get stale and likely won’t serve you well in the long term. Once you get to the point where you’re consistently running, it’s time to add in some consistent strength training.

Strength training comes in many different varieties and most people start with some degree of bodyweight exercises. Think squats, burpees, calf raises, bridges, etc. These exercises are GREAT and are a wonderful introduction to strength training. BUT DON’T STOP THERE!

Once your muscles adapt to lifting your body weight, you’re going to want to ADD WEIGHTS. Using weights is the next and crucial progression in anyone’s strength training program. Bodyweight training is not enough in the long term.

In the long term, no, bodyweight is not enough

The beautiful thing about getting into strength training with weights, is the fact you can constantly and regularly make the weights HEAVIER to progress.

The problem with bodyweight strength training is once your muscles adapt to moving your bodyweight, you plateau. With strength training with real weights, you simply increase the weight over time! Simple, easy, and effective.

The winter off-season is the PERFECT time to get into some sort of strength training practice. That’s why this winter, I’m putting together a 12-week small group weightlifting program uniquely designed for male runners.

The program is designed by myself and is called: Own the Off Season Winter Weightlifting. The program is for male runners who want to build strength this winter to prepare for the 2025 running season. Likely program start date in late January/early February.

The small group workouts will be 1x/wk with an added ‘homework’ workout at some other time on your own. Workouts will focus on single leg movements that are crucial for runners and focus on all the key areas I see runners struggle with.

Maximum number of participants for these small group workouts is limited to 6 participants and I’ve already got 12 people who’ve expressed interest

Details of this program are still developing and I’m simply gauging interest in those participating at this time.

If you’re interested in getting updates on Own the Off Season Winter Weightlifting or want to know when registration opens up, reply “Interested!” to this email and I’ll keep you in the loop.

“Own the Off-Season” Winter Weightlifting
A 12-week small group weightlifting program designed for male runners by Dr. Michael

Participants will perform 1x/wk small group weightlifting workouts specifically designed to be beneficial to running

Likely program start date in late January/early February

Reply “Interested!” to this email if you’re interested in learning more and being kept in the loop on updates to the Own the Off-Season Winter Weightlifting program.
Your best is yet to come!

Dr. Michael