The Best Tips to Improve Running According to Coach

Are you running all wrong? Emma Mailer (@em_fitx) is an online fitness coach and influencer who specializes in running and regularly shares videos offering advice on how to make the most of your running workouts. In a few recent videos, she shared a few helpful tips, revealing that prior to finding her health strides, she only ran to “burn calories” and that her runs were “fueled by rice cakes and black coffee.” Here are her tips – and also what Body Network’s Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, has to say about them.

Take Running Gels

em_fitx/TikTok

“I take gels during my runs to make sure I have enough energy,” says Emma. What are running gels? According to Collingwood, they are a great way to get quick energy during runs or any endurance exercise lasting more than about an hour. “They are a concentrated source of carbs and have some electrolytes,” she explains.

“I always recommend drinking some water when you take the gel to prevent stomach upset. If you’ve never had one before, take just half the gel, fold it over and tuck it into a pocket and have the other half 20-30 minutes later.”

Once you get used to taking gels and you feel like you want the whole thing you can take it. “Depending on how long you will be running, most people take one gel per hour in addition to some sports drinks with more electrolytes,” she adds.

RELATED: Dana Linn Bailey Shares 3 Secret Tips That Will Transform Your Backside

Eat a Big Breakfast Before and After

em_fitx/TikTok

“I always eat a big breakfast before and straight after my runs to help with recovery,” Emma continues. “Trying to eat a combo of carbs, fruit/veg and protein within 30 to 60 minutes after the run is ideal for quick replenishment into the muscles,” says Collingwood.

Don’t Neglect Strength Training

em_fitx/TikTok

In another TikTok she reveals 3 mistakes to avoid if you are a new runner. The first? “Neglecting strength training.” Strength training helps “correct imbalances and weakness that can happen with running as well as helping with injury prevention by helping to stabilize the joints,” explains Collingwood.

Don’t Overdo It

em_fitx/Instagram

The second mistake is “Doing too much too soon.” Collingwood agrees that if you “ramp up your mileage too quickly” you set yourself up for injury. “Try to increase mileage by only about 10 to 15 percent each week,” she says. “Give yourself at least one rest day and try to also do cross training instead of running every single day for your exercise.”

Related: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

Make Sure to Eat Enough

em_fitx/TikTok

And finally, the last mistake is under fueling. “Not getting enough calories throughout the day can leave your body at risk of fatigue and injury,” explains Collingwood. “Under fueling during long runs can definitely lead to running out of energy and not being able to complete the mileage, not to mention just feeling lousy and poor recovery.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Before going for a long run, make sure your body is fueled with everything it needs.

Starting a fitness journey can be tough, but you’re not alone. Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, or just get healthier, these tips will help you get started. Swedish wellness expertMagnus Lygdback, who has coached many celebrities, has some advice for beginners. We’ve also included tips from other Body Network experts. Their combined advice will help you understand fitness and nutrition better.

Debunking the Low-Carb Myth

Contrary to popular belief, a low-carb diet isn't necessarily the best for all body types. Lygdback explains in his video, "There's no evidence supporting that a low-carb diet would be better than a high-carb diet. As long as you eat enough protein and veggies, fat and carbs are both fuel for the body." The key is finding the right balance that works for you.

Start with Less Incline

Baylee, a fat loss coach, recommends, "Start off slowly and build up your incline. You will still get benefits of your workout if you are on a 3 incline or a 6 incline, so long as it's challenging to you."

Running and Muscle Preservation

Many worry that running will "melt" their muscles, but Lygdback reassures us this isn't the case. He clarifies, "You can sprint, do 5K, or even long-distance running as long as you fuel up." The key is ensuring your body has enough fuel to support both your running and muscle maintenance.

Gradually Increase Speed

Baylee also suggests, "Build up your speed. Once it gets easy, increase the speed so that you can continue to progress and continue to challenge yourself."

Smart Superset Strategy

While not a huge fan of supersets overall, Lygdback does have a favorite: "I like to superset arms, going from a bicep exercise straight into a tricep exercise." This approach can be an efficient way to work complementary muscle groups.

Avoid Handrail Dependency

Fitness influencer Laci Renee advises, "Don't hold the handrails. You are undoing the work needed to walk on an incline."

Home Gym Essentials

For those unable to access a gym, Lygdback recommends starting with "a bench, some free weights, and something that can help you work your back and shoulders." This basic setup can provide a solid foundation for home workouts.

Perfect Your Posture

Shutterstuck/fizkes

Fitness trainer Julie recommends, "Lean forward slightly, hinging on your hip" and "Stand up tall, as you are losing core engagement and not bringing your heart rate up by slouching."

Addressing Joint Pain

Shutterstock

If you're experiencing joint pain during exercise, Lygdback advises against self-diagnosis. "See a professional who can find out what's going on in your knee," he suggests. It's crucial to address the root cause rather than attempting to stabilize the joint blindly.

Try Interval Training

Shutterstock

Fitness influencer Deanna shares her routine: "I do incline 12 with speed 3 for 10 minutes, take a 5 minute break to incline 2 with speed 2.5. I do this 3 times."

The Coffee Conundrum

Shutterstock

Good news for coffee lovers: Lygdback notes, "There's a lot of health benefits to coffee, including potential protection against Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and various forms of cancer." However, he advises staying hydrated and listening to your body's response to caffeine.

Engage Your Core

Taylor Donoghue advises, "Squeezing your core while walking 12/3/30 on the treadmill always helps me tighten and firm my stomach while also promoting good posture."

The Belt Debate

Lygdback cautions against overreliance on weightlifting belts: "If you don't need to wear a belt, don't do it." He explains that belts can disconnect your core from the rest of your body, potentially leading to injuries in everyday activities.

Make Workouts Entertaining

To make time pass faster, Taylor Donoghue suggests, "Try and watch a show instead of counting down the minutes."

Balancing Alcohol and Fitness

Shutterstock

When it comes to alcohol, Lygdback advises moderation: "It's better to drink whatever you like and not drink all the time instead of going with a 'healthier' option and drinking a ton of them."

Dress for Success

Personal trainer Lucy Lismorerecommends, "When I got home, I literally got straight into my exercise gear. That way, it kind of removed that mental block for me of having to set myself up or get rearing for exercise."

Beyond Walking

Shutterstock

While walking combined with a healthy diet is beneficial, Lygdback suggests it may not be enough for optimal health. He recommends incorporating strength training: "Get a good lift in once or twice a week."

Listen to Your Body

Lygdback emphasizes the importance of individual needs: "It's highly individual. There are many females that have better metabolism than other men and vice versa."

Timing Your HIIT

Regarding high-intensity interval training (HIIT), Lygdback prefers shorter intervals before strength training: "It warms me up and prepares me for my strength session."

Prioritize Lifting

Shutterstock

Julie also suggests, "If your goal is to build lean muscle — or tone – don't do it before lifting. Conserve your energy and lift first."

Carbs and Weight Loss

Shutterstock

Dispelling another myth, Lygdback confirms, "You can eat carbs and lose weight. It all comes down to the proportion of macros and your total calorie intake."

Focus on Nutrition

Shutterstock

When it comes to weight loss, Lygdback stresses, "Nutrition is the most important. Losing weight means that you're in a calorie deficit."

The Six-Pack Secret

For those seeking abs, Lygdback emphasizes the importance of nutrition: "We all have a six-pack underneath our layer of fat. It really comes down to nutrition."

Be Patient with Progress

Shutterstock

Lygdback reassures beginners, "You might feel like you're getting a little bit bigger because your muscles will bind a little more fluid, but that will pass. Give it a few weeks."

RELATED: This Plan Is How to Lose 5 Percent Body Fat In 2 Weeks

Weight Training for Women

Shutterstock

Addressing a common concern, Lygdback assures, "Weight training will not make you bulky. As a female, it is really hard to build a lot of muscle mass."

Stay Consistent

Above all, Lygdback encourages consistency: "It's better to train regularly, even if for shorter periods, than to have sporadic, intense workouts."

RELATED:I Hit 60 and These Daily Habits Keep Me Fit and Feeling 20 Years Younger

Balancing Sets and Reps

Lygdback advocates for a mix of high and low reps: "I like to combine low weight, higher reps and high weights, lower reps, depending on the muscle I'm targeting."

Full-Body Workouts

Shutterstock

On the frequency of full-body workouts, Lygdback advises, "If you're doing five days a week, I would not do full-body workouts. If you're doing twice a week, then I would consider it."

Age is Just a Number

Shutterstock

Lygdback debunks the myth that you're too old to get fit after 30: "I've had 70-year-olds who I helped get in awesome shape. It's never too late."

Short and Effective Workouts

Contrary to popular belief, Lygdback states, "You don't need to train at least 30 minutes for it to be effective. Step into the gym with me for 10 minutes and I'll show you."

RELATED: I Lost 120 Pounds by Cutting Out These Common Foods I'll Never Eat Again

Pre-Workout Nutrition

On training on an empty stomach, Lygdback advises, "If you want to build muscle mass and get stronger, I would make sure to have food in my stomach."

Don’t forget that everyone's fitness journey is unique. Use these tips as a guide, but always listen to your body and consult with professionals when needed. With patience, consistency, and the right approach, you'll be well on your way to achieving your fitness goals. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

As the Founder and Head of Lifestyle at Alta Coaching, an online fitness and nutrition program for busy professionals, I know the best thing to do to get in the best shape ever is have a plan. First, you need to make a plan for when to exercise. Then, you need to make a plan for how to exercise. Read on to discover how exactly to execute both—and what not to do—so you can get into your best shape.

1. When to Exercise

Shutterstock

One strategy that works well is to pick one day each week to block off time on your calendar for the upcoming week. Friday or Sunday usually work best. Although it sounds simple, having exercise blocks on your calendar helps keep you accountable. Blocking your calendar also helps prevent other people from scheduling over that time. If you try to fit it in exercise when you can, you are letting other people have a say in your own health. The most important factor in a successful fitness routine is consistency, so if you can block off time every week you will improve your fitness. (In addition to my multiple certifications in fitness and nutrition, I was able to get into the best shape of my life much later in life when I was a busy parent. It’s never too late to get in shape and I love helping other people do the same. I was not a college athlete and I know what it’s like to be intimidated walking into a gym. )

2. How to Use That Time Wisely

Shutterstock

Once you have that time blocked off, the next step is to use it wisely. Avoid just walking into a gym and wandering around picking up random equipment. Or if you’re working out at home, avoid just scrolling through YouTube or Instagram and seeing what workout comes up that might be a fit. Instead, try to adhere to a structured program that lasts for 8-12 weeks. This will keep you on track for one specific goal and avoid wasting time. If your goal is to lose weight, find a program that prioritizes burning calories and includes some element of resistance training. If your goal is to build muscle, find a plan that will prioritize progressive overload week over week so you can make progress every time you walk into the gym or exercise at home.

RELATED:10 Foods That Grow Muscle Fast

3. Warm Up

Shutterstock

One common mistake is not warming up. If you remember life before smartphones, you’re too old to skip the warmup! A proper warmup only takes a few minutes and it sets you up for better progress, prevents injury, and can help activate underused muscles such as your glutes or mid-back so they’re recruited properly when exercising. The best warmup is a 5 minute dynamic warmup, which is similar to a yoga flow. It involves moving all parts of your body in all different directions so your joints and muscles are prepared for exercise. For example: a downward dog into a pushup, followed by side planks, followed by mountain climbers, high knees, high kicks, arm circles, and hugging yourself. Feel free to have fun with this.

4. Don't Train Until Absolute Failure

Shutterstock

Another common mistake to avoid is training until absolute failure. Squeezing out one last rep increases your risk of injury or developing more muscle imbalances. This action can recruit the wrong muscles to help push out that last rep. Instead, focus on good form and going to 1-2 reps less than failure. This allows you to recover faster, avoid injury, and build proper muscle balance which improves long-term health. Nothing kills your consistency more than having an injury.

RELATED:What Happens When You Quit Soda, According to a Nutritionist

5. Stick to the Plan

Shutterstock

The third common mistake is worrying about variety. Sometimes, sticking to the same 10-15 exercises each week is the best place to start. This allows you to complete your workout quickly and best measure your progress week over week. If you constantly change your movements, you may forget how much weight you did the week before or get intimidated and confused. Variety is something to introduce down the road once you’ve nailed your routine consistently.

6. It's Never Too Late!

There was a study done in Sweden looking at the fitness level of people in their 80s. The people in their 80s who had been cross-country skiing consistently over several decades had incredible cardiovascular and bone strength. They had the same oxygen output as healthy males in their early 20s. Someone in their 80s as fit as someone in their 20s! The people in their 80s who were not consistently skiing could not live alone and were in much poorer health overall. This is just one study that shows it’s not too late to start and you can still be as healthy or healthier than someone in their 20s as long as you are consistent. The secret to being healthy at any age is to keep moving and you’ll never stop. If you enjoyed this article, don't miss 6 Disgusting Things Drinking Soda Does to Your Body.

Andrew Hayes is the Founder & Head of Lifestyle at Alta Coaching.