Training for a 5K or Marathon: What a Gym Program Should Add

A member training purely by running more miles is missing the strength component that actually protects against the most common running injuries.

Strength training reduces injury risk, not just adds bulk

Basic lower-body and core strength work supports running form and joint stability over long distances — runners who skip it see disproportionately more overuse injuries.

Recovery matters even more under running volume

High-mileage training adds real cumulative fatigue — deload weeks and adequate sleep matter even more for a runner in training than for a typical strength-focused member.