Exercise intensity is one of the most important variables in strength training. This section explains what intensity means, how to adjust it, and how to match it to your goals.

Exercises for Runners When I share that I am a strength coach, I meet athletes from all kinds of running backgrounds — sprinters, long‑distance runners, and everything in between. Running alone won’t create the same adaptations as heavy resistance training, which is why it’s important to identify your goals and then reverse‑engineer your training to match the adaptations you want. Long‑distance running improves your endurance and energy efficiency. Heavy weight training increases muscle...

Teaching group strength classes has shown me something important: people often want one thing from a workout, while strength training itself requires something a little different. My job is to bridge that gap—giving them what they enjoy and teaching them what actually builds strength they can use independently at home. They Want to Keep Moving Many people come to class wanting to feel like they’re “doing something” every minute. Movement feels productive, and it’s motivating. But true...