How to train for a marathon in the gym

Here’s what not to do

We’re getting you on the front foot (pardon the pun) so you know what not to do before training for your big race in the gym. Firstly don’t just pound the treadmill.

“One issue with training for a marathon in a gym solely on the treadmill is your hamstring strength diminishes,” warns Pattison.

He explains that although you might be getting some serious mileage, you’re not powering the treadmill, it’s powering you. “When we run we want to propel ourselves forward and that’s through the hamstrings and the glutes pulling backwards, but if you do too much treadmill running and you go outside, one of the first things you’ll notice is that your hamstrings will be tight and sore because the motor on the treadmill has been doing the work of your hamstrings.”

Yeah, that might not get you super excited to train for your marathon in the gym. However, Pattison has a solution for you and it’s super simple. “Mix up your intervals and use the treadmill to its advantages.”

And as it turns out, the new Technogym equipment at Aquanation is dynamite for cardio training. “With all the new Technogym treadmills you can change elevation and speed with one touch and the Skill Run treadmill that we’ve got here now will give you full biometric feedback on your run.”

Yep, you want the deets? Well lookout because the Skill Run will “tell you how much power you’re hitting with each stride, the length of your stride and your flight time,” explains Pattison. Wow!

Shake it up a little (even in a dance class)

Shaking it up or even shaking your groove thang can help your marathon training. Pattison says variety is brilliant for marathon training. “Mixing it up with exercise that isn’t directly related to running where you’re still getting a good cardio workout but really it helps with the mental fatigue of doing the same routine over and over again, maybe even try Zumba or Sh’bam!”

Or you can slow things down a touch, which will do your wonders. “Yoga and Pilates will help with your flexibility, mobility and core stability and core strength for runners is so important,” explains the personal trainer.

Don’t be afraid to get wet either says Pattison. “Swimming is also great, low impact but you can still maintain that respiratory duress that you’re trying to put yourself under.”

He even recommends taking part in a deep water class. “Deep water aqua classes, and they’re as hard as what you want to make it, resistance training for the whole body and trying to control your core and balance (you’re not touching the ground at all) throughout it all.”

See ya at the finish line!