Hybrid Training for Long-Term Health

Troops, let’s dive into a big topic that keeps coming up in the HRF gym: Hybrid Training.

It sounds fancy, but really, it’s about finding the sweet spot between strength, muscle, and endurance. Not just being strong. Not just being fit. But being both and staying that way for life.

I talk about training like a Viking on the regular. A prime Viking is a perfect example of a hybrid warrior. 

What Is Hybrid Training?

Put simply: hybrid training is combining strength training (think lifting, building muscle, moving heavy stuff) with endurance training (running, cycling, rowing, or anything that tests your lungs and engine).

A hybrid athlete doesn’t want to be a one-trick pony. We’re after the best of both worlds, moving well, lifting strong, and having the stamina to go the distance.

So if you’ve ever thought:

• “I want to be able to deadlift heavy and run a 10k without breaking down.”

• “I don’t want to choose between size and stamina.”

• “I just want to feel like an all-round machine.”

…then congratulations, you’re talking about hybrid training.

Why I’ve Always Been "Hybrid"

I’ve always naturally been more of an endurance guy. My natural body shape is a meso-ectomorph. Tall and thin with a bit of muscle. Long limbs, built for moving. Long endurance cardio has always come a little easier for me. 10ks, half marathons, marathons, mountaineering, cycling 600 miles in 6 days from Essex to Galway, London to Paris in a time trial… and other bits and bobs.

Great fun and have suited my genetics well! 

But size and strength? I don’t naturally gain lots of muscle, so I have to work a little harder on this side of things and it helps that I absolutely LOVE pumping the iron. A genuine iron addict… We all have our thing!

If I only focused on cardio, I’d be lean but lanky. My posture would suffer and I’d be susceptible to injury.

Conversely, if I only chased the barbell, I’d lose the movement and engine that makes me feel alive. So for me, hybrid training has always been the answer.

It means:

• Building strength and muscle so my frame remains resilient and robust.

• Keeping endurance in play so I can still shift when I need to.

• Balancing both so I stay healthy long-term.

• Feel and look great! 

That’s the point here, hybrid training isn’t just about looking the part. It’s about resilience, health, and being able to do life well.

Why Hybrid Training Works So Well

The beauty of hybrid training is how adaptable it is. Whether you’re 25 and chasing performance, or 55 and just wanting to move better and keep your body in one piece, the principles apply.

Benefits include:

• Longevity: Strength keeps your bones and joints healthy, cardio keeps your heart and lungs sharp.

• Functionality: Life doesn’t ask you to just lift or just run, it’s a mix.

• Balance: It’s not about extremes, it’s about becoming an all-rounder.

Personal Training in Tunbridge Wells: Tailor Made For You

Hybrid training isn’t one-size-fits-all. At Holme Run Fitness in Tunbridge Wells, our personal training packages are tailored specifically for you, your body, your goals, your schedule. Sure, we can train you to be a hybrid warrior. But the way we put it together depends on you, your genetics, your body shape, and your lifestyle.

That’s what makes our coaching different. It’s not just about following a plan, it’s about building a system that works for you long-term.

Classes That Build Hybrid Athletes

Even our HRF weekly classes are built around this hybrid approach. Strength sessions, conditioning, functional training, it all ties together so you don’t just feel good for a summer, you feel strong and capable year-round.

Want to see what I mean? Check out our class timetable and you’ll see how every session builds a more functional, durable you.

TLDR:

Hybrid training is about being strong, fit, and functional, not just for now, but for the rest of your life.

If you’re in Tunbridge Wells and want to train this way, whether through personal training or our group classes then drop by Holme Run Fitness. We’ll get you moving, lifting, sweating, and most importantly, thriving.

Let’s keep it pumping, troops.

Will