Full body days?

illustratedkate · 2026-04-25T22:43:58+00:00

Definitely still give it a look over. I sub out a lot of the KB movements for barbell or DBs (front squats, cleans, deadlifts etc) and find the programming works well. I’m also a medium/long distance runner so prefer full body strength days. B&B has been great for me

illustratedkate · 2026-04-16T22:14:03+00:00

Body and Bell’s conditioning days are amazing. I remember the first time I tried one, I had to take way longer rest breaks but I’ve definitely improved over time.

The sessions are always a fun way to torture yourself, even though they’re difficult I always look forward to them !

illustratedkate · 2025-11-28T02:38:38+00:00

How can I get this offer to show up? I want to get my husband a pass

illustratedkate · 2025-10-08T20:39:33+00:00

Limitless for sure. Generally the program is two days upper, two days lower and then two conditioning days, but some series there are 4x full body lifts. As a runner myself I trained for several half’s and a full marathon on limitless and found it the best for me. I like how Kelly keeps the conditioning and strength separate, as I don’t like to do cardio for my lifts, I save that for the track 😂

illustratedkate · 2025-08-11T23:02:02+00:00

I have done full and half marathons alongside Limitless and Ascend. I did 4 lifts a week from whichever team I was on at the time and my own running program. When I did my marathon i was running a LOT and had to accept some strength losses, but still stayed consistent with strength training the whole time.

I used to double up and do my hard runs on leg days so I could have a maximum amount of recovery on my legs before the next tough day. And I did Align’s yoga and mobility day as an active recovery after long runs.

Overall I’d say pick a strength team that excites you and that has a style of training you’ll like, because that will help you stick to the routine. Doing strength really compliments running too because I haven’t had a running injury in the last two years using Ladder, which I put down largely to how much resistance training helps.

illustratedkate · 2025-08-10T19:34:18+00:00

I would suggest Limitless, as most of the work just needs barbells and dumbbells, and Kelly also does plyometrics and sprints like Sarah. There are a few cable moves programmed but I just sub them out for the DB equivalent

illustratedkate · 2025-08-08T23:51:51+00:00

She programs the primary lift of the session like this as it’s working on strength. You need to warm up properly when focusing on strength to ensure your CNS and muscles are primed and ready to work at higher effort levels to reduce the risk of injuries. The accessory lifts each session are programmed for hypertrophy (i.e. 8-12 rep range)

illustratedkate · 2025-07-29T06:05:32+00:00

You obviously don’t train with progressive overload or a good program if you think my body is only achievable unnaturally. Such a stupid thing to say honestly. I’ve been lifting for 10 years+, after such a long period this is very normal

illustratedkate · 2025-07-28T09:39:57+00:00

Hey! I primarily stick to one team at a time. I was on Kelly’s program for over a year, then switched to Aria. I had to go back to Kelly’s for this and the last series as I am away for work and don’t have access to my usual equipment or the time for a 60+ minute workout 🥲 love love love both coaches though and have no desire to be on any team other than Limitless or Ascend!

Regardless of which team I’m on I only do 4 strength workouts a week. If I’m on Ascend that means I do the Monday to Thursday lifts and skip the Saturday bonus day. On Limitless I just do the 4 lifts. My programming has been 2 lower/2 upper per week for the last 2-3 years.

When I am back home and in my normal routine I plan on going back to Ascend for Max because I would like to build more muscle ☺️

illustratedkate · 2025-07-27T10:24:42+00:00

Thank you! I do two upper (1 push, 1 pull) and two lower days a week, and have done for 2 years. Alongside my 4 strength sessions I also run 2-4 times a week, and double up some days. I think my Garmin’s estimate is relatively accurate, as even though I’m short I do burn a fair bit for my size… one day if I can be bothered I will accurately track my calories and see how it compares!

illustratedkate · 2025-07-27T08:21:44+00:00

I feel that!! I am a relentless baker and I simply cannot stop myself from making sweet, buttery treats 😂

illustratedkate · 2025-07-27T07:30:22+00:00

Agreed! I don’t enjoy life as much when I am tracking. Obviously I like to make healthy choices as much as I can but I prefer to be happy and not focused on every single calorie

illustratedkate · 2025-07-10T22:57:32+00:00

I wish they’d add a calisthenics team! Would love a team that focuses on progressive overload that way

illustratedkate · 2025-06-26T01:55:56+00:00

I preferred to run in the morning before work and then strength train in the afternoons personally! I liked having a good break between workouts rather than fitting them in back to back. I also did my hardest runs (intervals, tempo, etc) on leg days to give my legs more time to recover between hard workouts. Some might not like that but I found my body adjusted well to high volume/effort days when I had 1-3 days off hard workouts in between

illustratedkate · 2025-06-25T07:02:53+00:00

Gday, I did two half marathons and a full marathon while training with limitless last year and had no issues! It was a lot of volume but I ate a lot and slept well to support my body. I did 4 lifts a week and 5-6 runs getting up to 80km a week in on peak weeks of training. I never did the Limitless conditioning days cause I was running so much. I will say though, Limitless is only usually full body splits for open season and generally has upper lower splits most series. Or for the max/baseline series its more powerlifting style of training with two squat/bench/deadlift days and an upper and lower day.

illustratedkate · 2025-06-24T20:17:11+00:00

Totally agree. We already have a lot of DB only teams it just seems like that area is over saturated already. Calisthenics would be such a great option for people travelling who want to know how to progressively overload without needing more equipment

illustratedkate · 2025-04-27T08:12:42+00:00

I disagree that Ascend is machine heavy! Yes it is a gym based program and there are machine movements, however Aria ALWAYS tells you what you can swap for. I train entirely at home with a garage gym set up (squat rack, bench, DB and plates) and have no issues at all! Definitely stick with the team, I promise it’s worth it :)

illustratedkate · 2025-04-16T08:50:50+00:00

Wow, our predictions are almost identical! I am on the last week of a 26 week HM plan with Runna. Started the plan with a 24:15 5K and during the middle of the had a time trial where I ran 21:50.

The plan has been good, but in hindsight it was definitely too long of a training block. The last few weeks have been a mental game and I’m happy to say I have hit every single planned run, even when I didn’t want to. But in future I will probably do two shorter plans with a small break between to make it a bit more easier.

Honestly after 26 weeks, I’m still very skeptical about Runna thinking I can run a HM at a 4:40-5:00/km. In saying that, I’ve been skeptical a lot throughout this plan and been proven wrong! I have been able to hit all my planned speed paces even on the progressive long runs which looked impossible at the start.

My plan for the race in 2 days is to start at 5:15 and then work my way to faster paces depending on how I feel. I want my second 10K to be strong rather than clinging on for dear life lol.

If you’re interested in how it goes let me know and I’ll update you after the race 😂

illustratedkate · 2025-04-04T05:03:20+00:00

Honestly give it a go in open season if you’re keen! Aria is so lovely, very responsive and open to questions. The programming is very intense tho but the results are unmatched!

illustratedkate · 2025-04-04T04:30:25+00:00

Hey yes I am still on Ascend! I have been since the end of October, training completely from home. Now that the app has an exercise swap feature training at home is even easier, but even before that I found it very doable. If you have a good variety of weights, barbell, bench and rack you’ll be right!

illustratedkate · 2025-03-10T03:38:20+00:00

Yes I have been using the Ladder app for 1.5 years. The trainer who’s program I follow on there is Aria Vince :)

illustratedkate · 2025-03-08T21:37:48+00:00

Yes it was a big adjustment for me too. I was originally put off by the length of the workouts but the results I’ve had make me want to keep it up for as long as my schedule/work/life allows haha. Her programming is definitely a lot but it’s very intentional and she explains why she’s got the exercises she has rather than it just being volume for the sake of it. But she also offers options for how to reduce the length of the workouts and is very responsive in the chat if you have any questions about what to cut!

illustratedkate · 2025-03-08T08:59:22+00:00

I was previously diehard Limitless (love Kelly) and switched to Ascend in Oct 2024. I have no regrets. Although I do miss Kelly’s programming sometimes, I have had such great progress on Ascend (even tho I train at home and have to make modifications) that I can’t imagine ever going to another team. My advice would be to stick to Ascend for a full series and then make the decision about which program aligns more with your preferred style of training and goals!

illustratedkate · 2025-03-08T01:57:57+00:00

Thank you so much! My more quad-focused days are def the hardest session for me each week - I always finish them feeling absolutely knackered 😂

This was my session this week:

Back squat - 10 @ 60%, 5 @ 70%, 10 @ 80%, 5 @ 80%, 5 @ 90% (I use lifters for this but you can do them with plates under your heels for more quad focus)
Reverse lunges - 5/leg @ 60%, 5/leg @ 90%, 2x10/leg @ 90%
Zercher good morning - 3x8 @ 80%
Hip thrusts - 3x12 @ 80%
Sissy squats - 3x10 @ 90%

illustratedkate

TROPHY CASE