Upper-body workouts

Although running is obviously very much a lower-body workout, having a strong upper-body along with a strong core can help you maintain form and feel better throughout runs and other workouts.  I try to do different forms of upper-body work throughout the week.  At a minimum, I try and do pushups 2-3 times a week, do yoga once a week, and swim at least once a week.

Here are some examples or ideas of different upper-body work that can be done:

• pushups
• swimming
• yoga
• rock climbing and/or bouldering
• light weightlifting
• circuit training
• jumping rope

Personally, I aim for the “reps over weight” theory in general, meaning the upper-body work that I do generally is either lighter in weight load or only uses my own body’s weight resistance.  I’m not looking to bulk up (not that I could, genetically I’m probably prone to tiny arms), just to tone and develop upper-body endurance.