I suppose I'm not the only one to get impatient on the rest days.
So, I've been thinking, while waiting for W5R2 - it would be nice to have a strength building program nudging just as gently as C25k does. Ideally, there would be:
1. Short workouts. I mean, 40 minutes of C25k are OK, but that's an outdoor activity. Indoors, I would be bored long before.
2. Limited number of exercises for a day - I get scared by a workout plan consisting of more than 5 lines, no matter how little time it's supposed to take.
3. No pain, no pushing myself to the limit, no orthorexic-fatphobic propaganda. By no means am I trying to lose weight with this training, nor am I going to take any exercise-related food choices. It should be just some rewarding endorphins-releasing activity I would actually look forward to, as it happens with my jogging sessions now.
The problem is, while C25k leads you very smoothly from a workout virtually everyone can complete (and if not, there are the obvious way of preparation starting with 10-seconds jogs and gradually increasing its duration) to an achievement most people would be proud of, I don't see anything like this in the strength training world. I mean, how does one make it from the couch to performing just one decent push-up or pull-up without losing confidence and giving up?
Is it just very lazy me or does anyone else feel this way?
Written by
bitseybloom
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Have you seen the Strength and Flex programme that accompanies C25k?
You can build yourself up gently. Swimming and walking. Cycling, Zumba or dancing in the front room I do Jillian Michaels dvd’s which are brill and they build up
I do beginners yoga using a dvd too which I am loving
We have our own fitness guru, Rig, who has a link to his workouts hereabouts. Dunno, if he does beginners though but he might be along to tell you
I'm doing the strength and flex podcasts on my rest days and it's great. Can do it all in the front room, just hoping other half doesn't find our I'm using the mantelpiece instead of railings for the pull-ups
Funny you should mention that, @misswobble, because there is a beginner squat challenge that many of the C25k gang are taking part in at the moment, and I am going to be following that up with beginner pushup and pullup programmes.
I swear by yoga, John! (Like, f*%k, this is hard!) Many of the postures are great for runners, such as plank, high lunge and bridge. (But I don’t recommend doing yoga at home unless you have had lots of classes before - a teacher is key to making sure you are getting the postures correct.)
I have never done Pilates, but imagine the same principle would apply. If you don’t know the right form for a posture, it is all too easy to hurt yourself...
And if lots of classes are not something that is ever going to be available to you (which is going to be quite a few people), a better option than never doing yoga is Ekhart Yoga and follow one of the absolute beginner programmes.
I like the idea very much, but isn't one supposed to do yoga in class? Tried once and loved it, but wasn't able to keep with it, just as with any other group activity. But now I wonder maybe there are some low-risk loners-suitable version.
May I ask more about your own experience, how did you come to that and which yoga do you practice?
I've only been going a few weeks and all the different styles are a bit bewildering still, let alone a lot of the poses within any particular style. However, one thing ALL the Instructors say without fail is that you take it at your own pace and comfort level and not try to "keep up" unless that's in your "comfort zone".
It sounds like you had a less than good experience in your class, but I would say find another Yoga center in your area - a "proper" one is worth it
And, just like being a Runner, I still find it hard to believe I am doing Yoga! ME! 😂😂😂 Wishing you many happy miles + and Yoga sessions in your future
VictoriaRuns 's app recommendation really sounds great. We had a convo on here about it, and my yoga teacher friend also recommended Lesley Fightmaster (real name) on youtube - she answers questions in the comments too and sounds amazing.
If you go to a class, though, the teacher ought to point out modifications for beginners, and also if you give them some heads up that can help remind them especially in a big class. Doesn't sound ideal if that wasn't your experience!
Look at realfoodieclub's strength programme. The exercises are simple and easier variations are suggested. 7 mins a day (with rest days). Really brilliant - I managed 2months consistently (well nearly). At first I couldn't do a side plank at all, even with bent legs, but by the end I could do one with straight legs and hold it for quite a while! Unfortunately things have slipped somewhat 😕 I will try to post a link to
I wanted the same thing (my yoga class is only once a week and I just don't do much at home) and am thrilled that Rignold will be doing a push-up and pull-up programme too as I'm liking the squats! Hopefully some of the ideas here will help you. NHS Strength and Flex (that misswobble mentioned) might be the place to start for you
I've been using the down dog app and doing an hour of yoga! It's great for strengthening and for flexibility and guides you through each position minute by minute, breath by breath
Thanks a lot! While not actually an app person, I've been running out of space on my smartphone since last month with all these apps - first c25k, then zombies, then the walk... So, looked into the app you've mentioned and now I'll have to fit it in and try, because it seems to be targeting just the problems I described...
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Observe rest day or go again?!
Workouts for ‘Rest Days’
What to do with a rest day?
Frequently asked question - What can I do on rest days?
The first day of the rest of my life!!
