Transform Your Running Game with the Viral 3-2-8 Workout

You might think runs make up for inactivity, but that isn’t the case, says Coyle. Even if runners work up a sweat in the morning, if they sit or stand the rest of the day and take very few steps, they are still at risk for conditions like heart disease.

The negative effects of inactivity start occurring within hours and can even override a run. “Inactivity is not the same as lack of exercise,” he explains. “When you’re inactive for too long, the bad things that happen can override the benefits of exercise.”

In addition to gaining the benefits of hitting a step count every day, the 3-2-8 program also encourages a decent amount of strength training. And strength training is beneficial to everyone, including runners.

Aside from its recommendation regarding aerobic activity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that Americans get two muscle-strengthening workouts in per week. This is in line with 3-2-8, which encourages even more than that.

Similarly, 3-2-8 includes Pilates and barre workouts. While these regimens aren’t the same thing (more about that later), there are proven benefits to both types of exercise.

While there aren’t many studies on barre specifically, the high-volume reps done to the point of fatigue in these classes may stimulate muscle growth and lead to positive health outcomes, according to research. Likewise, Pilates’ focus on core strength is beneficial to runners. A strong core has been shown to reduce the chance of injury, increase speed, and support running more efficiently. Plus, these two types of training offer a low-impact form of exercise, which is important for runners’ cross-training routines.

In fact, Coyle has used and recommends Pilates. “Pilates teaches you to engage your core so you move better. That’s an important part of fitness,” he says.

The Downsides of 3-2-8

The first, and most serious, downfall of 3-2-8 is that people claim it will “reduce the symptoms of PCOS and inflammation.” Exercise is absolutely good for health, but—aside from taking those 8,500 steps—no exercise program has been shown to be better than another in terms of disease reduction.

While research recommends 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week for those who suffer from PCOS, the 3-2-8 program is not a prescription. Anytime you want to reduce symptoms of a condition, it’s best to work directly with your doctor to figure out the best treatment for you.

Also, while strength training is a part of 3-2-8, and Rose does offer some workouts on her site, it’s up to you to choose the workouts, as well as the moves, weights, reps, and progression of the program. Rose’s 12-week challenge does include these details, but as with most online programs, the recommendations are not personalized to your ability. “It’s unclear what you’re doing during the three weight sessions and you only benefit from strength training if there is a specificity to your training,” Coyle says.

Also, although many people lump barre and Pilates together into a “mind-body” category of exercise, the two workouts are different. Pilates moves engage the core muscles while lengthening the limbs. “Running compresses you and Pilates stretches you,” Vickie Blate, certified Pilates instructor, USA Track and Field Level 2 Coach, and owner of On the Run Fitness & Pilates in Mount Dora, Florida, tells Runner’s World.

Meanwhile, the movements in barre focus on smaller ranges of motion and has less of a focus on core training (though it’s typically incorporated into classes). “You have to pay attention to each move and really notice each muscle,” says Megan Leith, a runner and the founder of Barretend in Buffalo, New York.

Finally, while 3-2-8 encourages more movement in its daily step goal, it doesn’t actually include cardio exercise in its parameters, which is a downfall, Coyle says. The Centers for Disease Control says adults should get 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of intense activity every week. Doing this exercise can lower your risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, certain cancers, and improve your mental health. But that’s where running comes into play!

Adapting 3-2-8 for Runners

If you run a few days a week, 3-2-8 can help you get on schedule with your cross-training and moving more throughout the day. To fit the recommended workouts into your schedule, Blate and Coyle say to strength train on run days if you’re doing speed or tempo runs. Your rest days should be truly restful, they add, meaning you don’t want to lift weights on your days off.

Because 3-2-8 includes three days of strength and two days of Pilates or barre, and fitting in five cross-training workouts into a run schedule can prove difficult, all the experts suggest swapping one strength-training workout with Pilates and barre, bringing those cross-training workouts down to three.

You can add those strength training sessions (which can last for anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes each) around your runs. Do hard strength training twice a week on the same day as hard runs, and Pilates and barre on active recovery days (while still making sure you get at least one solid full rest day per week).

Most importantly, to hit the 8,000 step goal of 3-2-8, Coyle says to break up the inactive parts of your day and evening with movement. That means getting up out of your chair more often throughout the day, between meetings, after a meal—whenever you can fit in a little activity.