• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • about
  • Pug Partners
  • contact/pr
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Goodreads
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Threads
    • TikTok

Runs With Pugs

ok, the pugs don't run, but we do

  • race reports
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Link Ups
  • instagram Landing Page

The Latest

5 Tips For Building Mental Toughness On Long Runs

Setting Goals For National Physical Fitness & Sports Month

Celebrate Good Times!

You are here: Home / Uncategorized / 30 Days Of Strength Training

30 Days Of Strength Training

November 14, 2023      4 Comments

Once upon a time (maybe two months ago), I embarked upon a strength training journey. My family joined the YMCA and after dabbling in a few classes, I scheduled a strength assessment, free with my our membership. Let’s take a look at what’s happened since then!

A Trainer Assessed My Strength

Before I could really begin strength training, we needed to see where I was at. After a series of questions about my goals, health, and limitations, the assigned trainer took me around the gym to test out five different machines. He set them them in the proper position for my height and leg/arm length, and watched as I completed up to 15 exercises at the weights he set. When we were done, he set me up with an app that would populate workouts for me, with the parameters I requested: four days a week, 45 minutes at a time, alternating arms and legs, and body weight exercises acceptable.

It was time to go to work.

I Began Moving Through The App

While the ActivTrax app is not my favorite, it gets the job done. On the plus side, it presents a series of workouts, with reps and associated weights, with the ability to check off each one. Users can also opt to change the recommended weight to their comfort level and ability. Love these features. On the other, the app only shows one day at a time. There is no way to look back or forward to see what’s been done or what’s to come. I don’t love that, but I’ve learned to live with it.

Supplementing With The Trainer

I met with the trainer two more times after my first assessment. The first time, he walked me through an app session, and used the time to critique my form, make suggestions on ways to maximize my efforts, and generally check in with me. The second time was a thirty minute workout that he created, utllizing the machines I was used to, but also introducing the Smith machine, TRX bands, and other elements the app didn’t offer.

My Thoughts On The Regimen

So far, so good. Every day, I get a series of workouts for either my upper body or my lower body, rounded off by four to five ab moves. There is a not a lot of variety in the moves, although sometimes the app will throw in something wildly different. I like the feeling of “being told” to do certain exercises, even if I loathe them. This means that the neglected parts of my body are getting attention, and that’s always a good thing. For four days in a row, I work out, and then I take a three day weekend. This balances out perfectly with my current schedule.

What I’ve Noticed After 30 Days

Even though I keep forgetting to write down my workouts and weights so I can compare, I am most definitely stronger. Every time or two, I can make small increases in either my reps or the heaviness of what I can lift. Upper body days continue to be challenging (I think they always will be), while leg day is much easier. I see muscles forming in my arms and my legs that haven’t been there in years. Can I balance on my right leg again? Yes: yes, I can! The biggest victory is that I am squatting again! It’s still not perfectly comfortable, but I’m getting down so much lower than I have since my accident. This brings me great joy.

Has Strength Training Improved My Running?

My running has absolutely improved over the last month, but whether it’s due to cooler temperatures or weights, we’ll never know for sure. What I can say with certainty is that the little aches and pains that plagued me no longer seem to be an issue. I’m running 5:1 intervals, which is way more than I’ve done in quite some time. And my stamina feels better. I haven’t gone for anything more than six miles of running, yet, but I’m confidently building, and see the Gate River Run 15K in my future.

What Are The Next Steps?

The reality is, I’m in a good (comfortable) place with the app. I plan to schedule a 4-6 week appointment with the trainer, just to check in and get some tips and pointers. He really brought a lot of great suggestions to the table, and while I don’t know that I will implement them all the time, it’s good to have them in the toolkit. Strength training can be overwhelming, and I’d like a guide to the more intense side of the room (where the plates are). It may be a great idea to mix things up, and try my hand at racks and barbells. What could go wrong?

Do you have a trainer? How do you come up with workouts for the gym? Do you use the machines and body weight or do you move to the “big girl” area, with the barbells and racks?

Join the Runner’s Roundup!

Link up each week to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas. Join your hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs, each week for the Runners’ Roundup linkup! Your link must be running related. Unrelated links will be removed. You must link back to your hosts — it’s common courtesy and a lot more fun! Spread the link-up love by visiting at least two other #running bloggers! Leave a comment and find new blogs to read! Use hashtags #running and #RunnersRoundup to stay in touch and promote your content!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenny says

    November 15, 2023 at 1:51 pm

    Oh, i love this. I worked with a trainer years ago, and it helped me SO MUCH. I wish I could do it now but I don’t want to spend the money (hmm, it makes you wonder if I’m saving money on the wrong things.) I love that you have this app! I just kind of… wing it on my own. I do go to the “big kids” (let’s call it) side of the gym and use the squat rack. But to be honest I’m still intimidated even though I’ve been doing it for almost a year. I keep imagining people thinking I don’t belong there because I’m not lifting heavy enough weights (I know- no one actually cares or notices what I do.) The thing I loved about working with a trainer was, it gave me a ton of confidence to know that I was doing everything correctly, even if I’m not super strong (yet.) My son is taking a weight lifting class this semester and I’m excited for him to come home and tell me what he’s learned!
    Lastly… I’m so glad this is helping your running! That’s the real reason why we do it, right?

    Reply
  2. Deborah Brooks says

    November 15, 2023 at 3:22 pm

    I love that you stuck with it! Feeling stronger and seeing yourself looking stronger is so motivating! It will become part of your routine and I think you will love it as much as your running and walking. Great to see how far you’ve come!

    Reply
  3. Lisa @ Mile by Mile says

    November 16, 2023 at 10:08 am

    This sounds like a great way to get in strength training! Its nice that you were able to be assessed and then do the workouts on your own. I never liked being followed around by a trainer, but its nice to have someone check in on your form. Glad it sounds like your running is improving too!

    Reply
  4. Darlene S Cardillo says

    November 16, 2023 at 10:39 pm

    I may never move to the big girl area… I just do my machines – mostly arms and hip ones.

    But I guess it’s better than nothing which is what I have been dong all my life.

    Any improvements – I’d say “NO.” Not physically but mentally, I helps to get in the car and go to the gym… it’s a nice way to start he day.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Well, Hello There

bio
Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have a grumble of pugs, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!

Let’s Connect!

Follow on Bloglovin


Partners

Click here for FREE SHIPPING
Save With Code RUNSWITHPUGS

Pugs Run 50 States

Search Posts

Recent Posts

  • 5 Tips For Building Mental Toughness On Long Runs
  • Setting Goals For National Physical Fitness & Sports Month
  • Celebrate Good Times!
  • 5 Training Tips For Running Moms
  • The Politics Of Running

Currently Reading

Jennifer's books

The Other Mrs.
The Skylark's Secret
Holly
Queen of Shadows
Archer's Voice
Heir of Fire
The Assassin's Blade
Lore Olympus: Volume One
By Any Other Name
Out There Screaming
Crown of Midnight
Throne of Glass
How to Kill Men and Get Away with It
Verity
Wrong Place Wrong Time
A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them
Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World
The Girl in the Leaves
The Pale-Faced Lie
Yellowface


Jennifer PugRunner's favorite books »

Archives

Footer

disclaimer

I am not a doctor or medical professional, nor do I play one on the internet. This blog reflects my personal experiences on my own fitness and running journey, and the processes that work for me. Before you begin any exercise regiment, please consult your physician.
Team Bears Bocce Battlestar Galactica made it to t Team Bears Bocce Battlestar Galactica made it to the third round of the 2nd Annual Bocce Fest, benefitting @stronglikesteve!

This is always such a great community event, centered around an incredibly inclusive event and with proceeds going to provide awareness, community outreach, education, advocacy and funding for organizations and individuals caring for adults with intellectual and developmental differences.

Founder @steph_sanalila does such a wonderful job with this event, making a fun environment for players, creating volunteer opportunities for local students and honoring the memory of her brother.

Visit https://www.stronglikestevefoundation.org/about for more info on how you can help!

#boccefest #bearsboccebattlestargalactica #worldgolfvillage #worldgolfliving #bocce #stronglikesteve #bethechange #makeadifference
The pug side eye side eye. @lunanleonidas #pug The pug side eye side eye.

@lunanleonidas

 #pug #sweetlunapug

 #pugpuppy #puglife #pugsandkisses #pugbaby #pugsofinstagram #pugstagram #grumbleinc #grumble #pugstagram #pugworld #carlino #thetomcoteshow #dogstagram #petstagram #pugoftheday #pugsdaily #pugstyle #904dogs #keelysafternoontea #pugfeaturedaily #pugclub #dailybarker #woofpackbros #woofpackbros4life #woofpackhotties #woofpackkitties #woofpackfamily #dogsconnectingtheworld
Drinking in that sunshine for sure! It was a bea Drinking in that sunshine for sure! 

It was a beautiful morning that turned quickly into a beautiful day. Sundays are hard because they are immediately  followed by Mondays, and Mondays are hard.

Lots to catch up on this week! April is chock full of holidays, birthdays, days off, and events, so let’s get to it!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
About this morning… I was up and out early to d About this morning…

I was up and out early to drive to Flagler Beach for the #Missionpossible5k.

It was a small, well organized event, with an easy-to-follow course (the last mile was almost exclusively an ocean view), with great shirts and swag.

I was really pleased with my performance, and even more pleased with this beach sunrise. I’ll share more on the #RunnersRundown on Wednesday, so stay tuned!

Where did you run or race this weekend?

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Oh, hello long sleeves. I’m here for it. So goo Oh, hello long sleeves. I’m here for it.

So good to stretch the legs today. I was super sore after a @runsmartofficial cross training session last night, and needed to just get out there and let the fresh air work its magic.

What are you up to today? I really need to take a moment with my calendar and get some plans locked into place. 

#running #streakingwiththecoolkids
He’s gonna get it, one of these days. 🍌 @lu He’s gonna get it, one of these days. 🍌 

@lunanleonidas 

 #pug #sweetlunapug

 #pugpuppy #puglife #pugsandkisses #pugbaby #pugsofinstagram #pugstagram #grumbleinc #grumble #pugstagram #pugworld #carlino #thetomcoteshow #dogstagram #petstagram #pugoftheday #pugsdaily #pugstyle #904dogs #keelysafternoontea #pugfeaturedaily #pugclub #dailybarker #woofpackbros #woofpackbros4life #woofpackhotties #woofpackkitties #woofpackfamily #dogsconnectingtheworld #cheesetax
Check out those blue skies! I got to sleep in AND Check out those blue skies!

I got to sleep in AND take advantage of some cooler temps. It really didn’t warm up until my last mile and that was just fine.

I feel like this month and next are really just flying by. So much is going on, and I want so badly to enjoy it all, including the crisp, sunny days where we find them!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Kind of a meh day. I got in some walking miles and Kind of a meh day. I got in some walking miles and some balance and strength work through @runsmartofficial.

Tomorrow will be cooler and more productive for sure!

#running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Happy Monday! I don’t know about you all, but y Happy Monday!

I don’t know about you all, but your girl is TIRED. It is so hard to roll out of bed some mornings. Ugh. 

I managed (finally) and banked six miles in some gross humidity. And now it’s time for some self care and then back to work.

Also. We have somehow acquired a pecan tree? Any tips on the growth and care of this would be greatly appreciated!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Sunday fun day! Just a short walk to start the da Sunday fun day!

Just a short walk to start the day and work out some stiffness. Some days, my ankle just doesn’t want to cooperate 🫤

I have been making graphics and content all day for a client, and now I’m about to do hair and makeup for a little event. Wheee! 

This week is going to be BUSY! There’s a lot of changes to the regular routines (nails, a digital learning day, after school and weekend programming) and I have a race on Saturday and bocce ball on Sunday! 

Who else is ready to dive in?!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids

Copyright © 2025 · Wordpress Theme by Hello Yay!