For the longest time, I believed I had to pick just one sport and fully commit to it. When I focused only on the gym, I saw muscle growth and progress, but I felt stuck. Running a 5K? Nearly impossible. And on days when I lacked the energy for heavy lifting, my workouts felt frustrating rather than fulfilling. I realized that I didn’t want to be great at just one thing. I wanted to be capable in many.
Then I discovered hybrid training—and suddenly, it all made sense. I didn’t have to choose. I could lift, run, cycle, hike, and play different sports, all while improving my overall fitness. And for women, this approach comes with even more benefits, from building strength without the fear of getting “bulky” to adapting workouts to natural energy shifts throughout the menstrual cycle.
Hybrid training isn’t just about lifting weights and running—it’s about building a training plan that truly works for YOU. It’s about embracing movement in a way that feels empowering, enjoyable, and sustainable.
So why should every woman consider hybrid training? Let’s break it down.
1. You Build Strength Without Getting “Bulky”
One of the biggest myths about strength training for women is the fear of getting “too bulky.” But the truth is, women’s bodies simply don’t build muscle the same way men’s do. Due to hormonal differences, muscle growth happens much more gradually, and achieving a bulky physique requires years of intense, specialized training.
In reality, lifting weights helps women build lean muscle, a strong, toned body, and better overall fitness—without unwanted bulk. And this is where hybrid training comes in. By combining strength training with endurance activities like running, cycling, or swimming, you create a balanced, athletic physique while improving both power and stamina.
So if you’ve ever worried about looking “too muscular,” know this: focusing on two or multiple sports at once—like in hybrid training—naturally leads to a fit, strong, and functional body. No bulk, just strength, endurance, and confidence.
2. You Can Adapt Training to Your Menstrual Cycle
For a long time, I struggled to stick to my training plan—my body just didn’t have the energy for it. I felt so frustrated, wondering why I couldn’t be as motivated, consistent, and full of energy as the gym guys around me. But then I realized something important: the problem wasn’t me—it was my training plan!
For us women, our energy levels fluctuate throughout the month due to our menstrual cycle and trying to force the same intensity every day just doesn’t work. Instead of pushing through exhaustion, I learned to listen to my body and adjust my training accordingly.
That’s one of the biggest advantages of my hybrid training approach—it’s adaptable. Unlike rigid workout plans that demand high performance daily, hybrid training gives you the flexibility to go hard when you have the energy and take it easier when you don’t.
Strength and endurance can be built in many ways—it doesn’t always have to be lifting weights or running. On low-energy days, I swap my usual workouts for something more gentle, like pilates or yoga for strength and a relaxing walk outside for endurance.
Here, I’m sharing my tips on syncing training with your cycle, what sports to do based on how your energy shifts in each phase.
3. You Improve Your Endurance Without Losing Strength
A few years ago, when I started running, I was afraid that all the strength I had built in the gym would disappear. After all, running is all about endurance, not strength—right? But then I discovered hybrid training and realized you don’t have to choose between strength and endurance—you can train for both.
Sure, I might not be the most muscular person in the gym, but I’m building a strong, balanced body that can lift, run, and perform well in multiple sports. And that’s what matters to me.
To keep the balance, I mix things up throughout the week—weightlifting and pilates for strength, and running, volleyball, hiking, or cycling for endurance. This way, I improve in all areas without feeling stuck in just one type of training.
4. You Get Much More Confident
Hybrid training comes with many mental benefits, but for me, the biggest one is confidence. I’ve never felt as strong and capable as I do now—knowing that I can lift heavy, run 10 km, and play multiple sports.
I’m not the best at any one of them, and that’s okay. Nobody is ever truly the best at their sport—there’s always room for improvement. Instead of chasing an impossible idea of perfection, I’d rather be well-rounded, capable, and ready for anything.
Training this way has also given me trust in myself. Because I work on overall fitness, I know I can adapt to different challenges, whether it’s a tough workout or real-life situations that demand strength, endurance, or resilience.
5. You Will Never Feel Bored!
With hybrid training, I never feel bored—there’s always something to do. Some days, I don’t even know where to start because I have so many sports to choose from! Strength and endurance can be trained in countless ways, so you’re not stuck with just the gym or running—you can mix it up with other sports. If your routine ever feels repetitive, you can switch things up anytime, which creates an incredible sense of freedom.
Another thing I love? No labels. I don’t want to be just a “gym girl” or a “runner.” I don’t like being put in a box or feeling pressured to stick to only one sport.
Most importantly, I want to have fun! I don’t take training too seriously—I enjoy my workouts, whether it’s lifting with friends, playing volleyball, or spending quiet time running on my own. Fitness should be something that excites you, not something that feels like an obligation.
6. You Train for Real Life
With hybrid training, you’re improving your overall performance—building both strength and endurance in a way that benefits your everyday life. Need to carry heavy groceries? No problem because your training includes strength work. Need to sprint for a bus? Easy, because you’ve built endurance through running or other cardio.
More than that, hybrid training helps you develop muscle and stamina that will support you for a lifetime. It’s not just about repeating the same movements over and over but about training your body in a variety of ways to stay strong, agile, and resilient.
Most importantly, it’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about functionality. You’re not training just to look good; you’re training to move better, feel stronger, and be ready for anything life throws at you.
Ready to Start with Hybrid Training?
These are just a few of the biggest benefits I’ve experienced through hybrid training—it has completely changed how I approach fitness, making it more enjoyable, sustainable, and empowering.
Follow along on this journey, and in my next blog, I’ll help you build your own hybrid training week split—a plan that fits your goals, energy levels, and lifestyle. Stay tuned!!
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Catch up on my last posts:
My Version of Hybrid Training: How to Balance Strength, Endurance, and Fun!
👉 Next up: How to Build a Hybrid Week Split
💬 What’s your favourite way to train? Let me know in the comments!!
