[3fcuser1058250]

Originally Posted by Thighs Be Gone

Does strength training improve running times? Please advise. I am starting to do indoor rock climbing. Also, I do push ups, leg lifts, crunches, etc several times daily.

Absolutely weight training improves cardio,.... Here's an article Why weight/strength training and what are the benefits?

Correct weight training will assist in the prevention of injuries, increase muscle endurance, strengthen weak joints and muscles. It will also minimize fatigue in the upper body allowing you to drive further for longer. The aim of any good weight training routine is to help maintain and develop one's body to deal with the stresses of running.

This is what the doctor explained to me a few years ago when he couldn't believe that a 50 year old lady had no knee problems from running, then he had the "ah, ha" moment when I told him I weight trained...I love weight training

[Thighs Be Gone]

I am not much into the weight thing. I am wondering if rock climbing, push ups, crunches, etc. will do the same for me. I mean do I really need the specific weight training? I do not have weights at home and am not going to join a gym. It seems that our ancestors didn't lay around lifting weights all the time--but instead did more "natural" movements.

[sacha]

Thighs Be Gone,

I'm not so sure about that. If you seek more "natural" movements, exercises such as squats and deadlifts are more natural and used in our daily lives than a pushup or a crunch, or even running 5k (after all, back then, you'd probably either run sprints from something dangerous or have to walk a very long distance)

Do we really need weight training? Well, if it were 500 years ago, probably not, since we'd be slaving away on a farm or gathering fruit. However, in this day and age, we tend to drive our cars or sit at a desk for 8 hours. Since our lifestyles have changed, we must adapt from our traditional form of "resistance training" (ie. lugging around rocks while foraging for food).

I would think that a true max effort in rock climbing certainly could be sufficient as resistance training if you hate the idea of weights.

[Fat Pants]

Thighs - mkroyer pointed me to an article that discusses how a 1% reduction in BODY FAT (not necessarily weight) will lead to a 1% increase in running speed. In fact, I believe she lost maybe 10 or so lbs but had quite a substantial reduction in body fat and her mile time improved significantly.

I would love to add weight training to my off days..thinking of starting that up after my race his weekend.