One of Peloton’s most popular programs, Total Strength by instructor Andy Speer, is designed to help Members build muscle over a period of four weeks and is perfect for beginners and experienced lifters alike. Haven’t tried it yet? Here’s why you should.
You’ll Get Stronger
This probably goes without saying, but after completing the program—which starts with three 30-minute classes per week and builds up to four—you will see improvement in both upper-body and lower-body strength. At the end of the first and last weeks, Andy tacks on a five-minute strength test so you can see how you’ve progressed.
By the end of the program, Andy says, you’ll realize that “you don’t need to be dripping in sweat and gasping for air to make serious changes.”
You’ll Understand the How and Why
Throughout the Total Strength program, Andy not only explains the moves, but why they’re incorporated into each class, so you walk away with an understanding of why, for example, he’s asking you to do rows and chest presses on the same day.
“My goal as an instructor is always to explain how to do an exercise in the moment and why we are doing an exercise in the context of a full program or a single workout,” he says. “Once you understand the why, you have a purpose. You’ll always be more focused and give more effort when you have purpose—both on the mat and in life.”
You’ll Learn More About Yourself
“The self-awareness that following a program pulls out of you is insightful and powerful,” Andy says. “You learn about yourself, both mentally and physically. How do you react and adjust? How do you modify for old or current injuries, or for a schedule conflict?” And if you have to repeat a week before moving on, he’s all for it: “Bravo!” he says.
“I wanted to challenge Members to step out of their comfort zones, take a chance on strength training and feel the physical benefits and psychological achievement,” he adds.
You’ll Improve Your Athletic Performance
“Incorporating strength training is a crucial aspect to maintaining health and functionality and improving performance,” Andy says. “Strong, stable, coordinated, athletic bodies are more resilient and don’t break down as easily.”
If you’re a cyclist or runner, you’re probably doing a lot of movements that go from front to back. But training the body in all planes of motion will increase your coordination and help make up for the repetition, according to Andy. “It strengthens stabilizer muscles and core muscles in ways that cycling and running alone cannot,” he says.
Strength training also increases your body’s ability to produce force. “The more force you can create into the ground,” Andy explains, “the further you will move per step and the greater output per pedal stroke.”
You’ll Focus on Setting and Achieving Your Goals
“My hope in creating the program was to give Members several takeaways, including experiencing the power of following a strength program with a specific performance goal,” Andy says. “Setting your sights on improving one or two specific elements sets you up for success, giving you clear metrics of improvement and confidence that the hard work you put in actually worked!”
Ready to learn more about the Total Strength program? Check out more details on the four-week program.
