Muscle, Longevity & Movement: Rethinking Strength for Endurance Athletes

In this episode of the Athletes Compass podcast, Paul Warloski, Marjaana Rakai, and Dr. Paul Laursen tackle one of the most hotly debated topics in endurance sports: strength training. They break down why lifting heavy won’t make you bulky but will make you a more efficient, resilient, and injury-resistant athlete. With practical advice for beginners to elites, the team covers the best types of exercises, how to progress safely, scheduling strength work around endurance training, and the critical role strength plays in aging well and avoiding long-term injuries. It’s part science, part coaching insight, and all about helping everyday athletes train smarter.

Key Takeaways

• Strength training doesn't bulk you up when combined with endurance training.
• Benefits include neuromuscular coordination, tendon stiffness, and greater fatigue resistance.
• Women benefit significantly in terms of bone density and aging well.
• Start with bodyweight and build up to heavy lifting as technique improves.
• Focus on six movement patterns: hip hinge, squat, chest push/pull, shoulder push/pull, and core.
• Don’t neglect mobility and rehab work, especially around weak links.
• One to three strength sessions per week depending on the season and training load.
• Doing strength and high-intensity workouts on the same day may improve performance and recovery.
• Consistency matters more than perfection — short sessions are better than none.

• Paul Warloski - Endurance, Strength Training, Yoga
• Marjaana Rakai - Tired Mom Runs - Where fitness meets motherhood.