Should I do Strength and Flex workout on rest days?

[runlikethewind1]

I have just finished week 2 - hooray and wondering about activity on my rest days. I have a slightly dodgy knee, nothing serious, but wondering if doing strength exercises will improve my running and knee or just make me more knackered. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

You can do any other form of exercise on rest days but advised not to run, this is to give your muscles a chance to repair. Stretch and flex sounds good to me, you could also check the internet for some knee exercises and try and build up the muscles around your problem knee which will help support it when running. Well done on starting C25K and I wish you all the best, its a wonderful program as hundreds of graduates will tell you.

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

I do SandF on my non-running days and I think it's excellent. But I suggest you concentrate on C25K first as it can all be a bit too much! Happy running nad welcome

[Beek Graduate]

I started off using S&F on my rest days. I loved it and regret letting it lapse. It's just that life gets in the way sometimes! I am certain that it helped my to not get any injuries when I was new to running. I am hoping to get back into doing it soon.

It is quite gentle, less cardio and well worth doing if you have the time.

Well done for starting the programme and keep coming back to this site for loads of support and inspiration!

[runningnotwalking Graduate]

Depends how you cope with C25k but like Delia, I would suggest concentrating on C25k first.

I've just started up again with Strength & Flex week 2 having graduated C25K about a month ago. Hopefully it will help prevent injuries but apparently it's good to alternate between aerobic and strength so I'm taking that advice for now.

nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pag...

[edqa233 Graduate]

I've just started the S&F podcasts today (I'm on week 4 of C25k) and it seems like a nice balance to do cardio on one day and this fairly gentle stretching programme on other days.

[runlikethewind1 Graduate]

Thank you so much for all your helpful replies and support. It's so nice to be part of such a positive community - it really keeps my motivation going.

[bloodofareptile Graduate]

Like others, I didn't start the strength stuff until after I graduated. I really had to focus on the running to make sure I made it through. After graduation I added in other stuff to keep it interesting.

[SimonMonger]

I've just completed Week 2 of Couch to 5K and started Strength and Flex on rest days last Monday, at the beginning of my Week 2. Finding it quite good to have an excuse to get out and exercise six days a week (with Sunday a rest day!) and the first week of Strength and Flex at least hasn't been too taxing. It's quite calming. I say go for it. You can always stop if you find it too much with Couch to 5K.

[moopo]

I didn't find c25k until after I had decided I was fat, unfit and needed to do something about it. I was walking, doing weekly yoga and a kettlebells/body weight routine. So I think I already had some of the S&F before I looked at running for the cardio. I have an improving clicky hip, poor hamstring strength and reduced ankle movement and when I moved to a running plan I had already looked at my shortcomings. Isn't the clue in the name - rest days. I sort of see swimming is different to running, so is tai-chi but if you've pushed a bit or just had something amiss with your knee (or any other area of problem) on c25k giving it a day or two off seems logical.

Now I'm more than half way through I do think about conditioning but I still only kb/yoga once a week, I do go ut for a walk less, running has replaced that.