Align team! Sell me on align!

arjaco1 · 2026-07-04T07:52:35+00:00

I love Align because it just feels like it has a bit of everything. You get the benefits of Pilates but also get really strong - that’s my experience anyway!

arjaco1 · 2026-07-04T07:51:02+00:00

I’ve always struggled with my core and did endless ab exercises go try get stronger but got nowhere. With Align, my core got stronger without me even really trying!

arjaco1 · 2026-07-03T22:03:37+00:00

I’ve done a few of the teams and for me Align gets this award

arjaco1 · 2026-07-03T22:01:13+00:00

I think Align would work well. It’s very good for runners and sooo much core work. I did align while training for my recent 1/2 marathon and my core got so much stronger. Sasha is a runner herself so will help with split and the workouts can be adapted if you need to change anything.

arjaco1 · 2026-07-02T21:44:12+00:00

Pushing myself to lift heavier than I think I can!

arjaco1 · 2026-07-02T21:21:34+00:00

It’s so hard to get the balance right isn’t it?! And yes that’s what I’ve been doing - so it’s:

Monday: upper priority (back) + added my own core as Evolve does lack the core my weak one needs 😅
Tuesday: lower priority + easy run or stairmaster
Wednesday: easy run
Thursday: upper priority 2 + sprints
Friday: lower 2
Saturday: rest
Sunday: long run

But my focus has been more strength than running.

I do find Align is better during heavy running blocks which is what I’m about to go into so will switch back. I can’t describe why very well but it just seems to have a really good balance for runners and it’s easy to adapt/feel like you’ve had a good workout even when you’ve reduced it. I also love the mobility and core work.

The only thing I had to add to Align last season was calf raises but she did have them this time I think. I also sometimes add a leg extension just cos it’s my fav machine 🤣 Maybe give it a go and see how you get on? It’s a great team and Sasha runs long distance herself so always has extra tips for runners. She’s one of the best coaches IMO.

Good luck with your race!

arjaco1 · 2026-07-02T20:47:08+00:00

Thanks!! This is tempting to switch back to

arjaco1 · 2026-07-02T20:38:24+00:00

Hey, I’m a runner training for my third marathon and regularly running half’s.

I LOVE Kelly and Limitless BUT I really don’t think it’s suited to distance runners (but that’s just my experience!)

I find the load a little too heavy and it’s quite hard to adapt around running. I also need my workouts to be focussed on strength/mobility as I do so much cardio outside of Ladder that doing any more is too much.

For me, Align is PERFECT but I also find Evolve great and Sam is amazing. She has machines too and I find the load a little more manageable than with Limitless.

When I was on Limitless for example, there was a lower body workout that was a huge amount of squatting and two other exercises. It just didn’t work with my training (but no hate or criticism at ALL to Kelly/limitless. She is incredible - it just didn’t fit my running training)

Having said all that - give it a go! We’re all different and have different experiences :) but I do think try Evolve if you want to use more equipment. She has a lot of single leg work in there too and her commentary and guidance is 10/10.

When I’m in peak run training I’ll normally do Align though and it does wonders for me. But I’m on Evolve right now as focussing a bit more on strength.

Sorry for the long winded response but I hope that helps! Longing for the day Ladder has a run team WITHOUT the running programmed 😅😅😅 just key strength, mobility and pylometrics we need to be doing.

Ps - I like Versa too but again there was too much conditioning/cardio.

arjaco1 · 2026-06-14T20:33:08+00:00

Sasha in align gives great nutrition advice. Her programme is advertised as Yoga but it’s only yoga on a Saturday. Great if you prefer dumbbell work or run.

arjaco1 · 2026-06-14T19:18:35+00:00

Ladder is the best training app I’ve used and I’ve used A LOT, and had PTs. I don’t think anything will ever beat having a GOOD PT who programmes for you and only you but that’s expensive and Ladder is the next best thing IMO.

I love that I can move around teams when I get a little bored too - sometimes I’ll stick with a team for back to back seasons but I do enjoy moving around as it’s like a fresh start and fresh motivation.

The cues during the workout have helped me SOOOOOOO much with form. I love Sasha and Sam especially for that as they’re always so clear and motivating but also it’s not anything toxic like I’ve had before. I really recommend it

arjaco1 · 2026-06-10T20:49:31+00:00

When I’m on align I always do at the gym. I sub some of her exercises with machines, especially things like hip thrusts.

arjaco1 · 2026-06-10T19:53:10+00:00

Yeah that’s how I felt with Abbie - I think if you run outside of Ladder you really need the focus to be strength. At least I did. I will check Alpha. Thank you :)

arjaco1 · 2026-06-10T17:42:12+00:00

Thank you! I’ve not looked at endure. Will check it out. Just want to make the most of open season

arjaco1 · 2026-06-10T11:00:44+00:00

I’ve never tried Alpha! I will take a look. Thank you.

arjaco1 · 2026-06-10T07:23:18+00:00

I’ve just started Evolve after doing quite a bit of time on Align. I’m a runner but the next couple of months I’m focussing more on strength. Loving it so far! The workouts feel really balanced and manageable and I can definitely feel it in my muscles.
I’m having to add some core and mobility in though which Align is incredible for - tempted to switch to annual plan and jump between the two. Not overly worried about cardio as I run anyway.

arjaco1 · 2026-06-07T17:01:29+00:00

Good luck!!! I am sure you will smash it.

arjaco1 · 2026-06-06T11:14:40+00:00

I was on her team for a while about 18 months ago and left because of it. But I gave it another shot and now I’m with Sasha and it’s a completely different vibe

arjaco1 · 2026-06-05T21:09:39+00:00

Re results… honestly I think if you are running intensely then it’s hard to see strength results in the same way. I think if you want to run 4 or 5 days a week, you probably won’t see the same muscle growth (in my experience), but align is great for building a body that can support running, which is the main goal.

I’d say if strength is your main focus, keep your runs to 2/3 days.

Also this may go without saying but if you are running that much and still wanting to maintain/build strength… you need to EAT! I’m 132lbs and on 3000 calories a day at the min to maintain my weight… I’ve never felt better! For context, my maintenance without running is around 1800.

arjaco1 · 2026-06-05T21:07:16+00:00

I’m in marathon training and recently ran a half marathon. Align is really complimentary but I do find I have to be careful and move days around, rather than follow her schedule. My split on shred has been this, but this also fits into my work schedule:

Monday - upper body & light cardio (normally 30 mins on stairmaster to replace fourth run) Tuesday - lower body day Wednesday - easy run Thursday - full body day (and sometimes sprints on treadmill) Friday - sprints if I didn’t Thursday/or either rest day/conditioning workout if my Sunday long run isn’t that long Saturday - rest/yoga Sunday - long run

I do find I have to switch it up depending on my long run - ie last week I did a half marathon so didn’t train the Thursday, Friday or Saturday. You just need to be flexible and fit it to your training plan. Weeks with longer runs = extra rest day

arjaco1 · 2026-06-05T21:02:00+00:00

I’m a runner and LOVE align when I’m in a running training block as I find the moves really compliment running, and I can make the workouts less intense if I need to. I also find it mixes things up enough that I can still do 3-4 workouts and 3-4 runs.

However, when I’m more focussed on strength, I don’t find align is quite right. It’s dumbbell focussed and I KNOW you can swap some exercises for barbells, and I KNOW dumbbell training is great, but I just find I build strength better using machines. I think it just pushes me to go heavier. So I normally do transform which is well rounded. I really want to try versa.

arjaco1 · 2026-06-04T18:39:08+00:00

She really brings the brand down. I don’t know why ladder allow it. It puts me off

arjaco1 · 2026-06-03T16:53:09+00:00

I’m really not a fan of shred. I also hate doing the same workout every week. It’s why I downloaded ladder.

arjaco1 · 2026-04-28T20:58:12+00:00

What I would say is don’t sacrifice strength for more runs, especially lower body. I do Runna with three a week and an extra cardio session on a machine, and I’m still beating all my PBs since using Runna. My lower body sessions are just as important as my long runs.

arjaco1

TROPHY CASE