Tech and Tools to Optimise Hybrid Training
One of the best parts of fitness is it’s accessibility. You don’t need money or a lot of time to be a healthy and fit individual. You already have the tools you need to be successful (discipline, commitment, etc.).
This doesn’t mean you can’t enhance your experience (and results) with physical and digital tools. These can gamify fitness, helping you reach your goals efficiently and sustainably.
This article is for those who don’t settle for one fitness area. There is the bodybuilding community; there are running communities; but there are also communities that combine both. It has been popularised as hybrid training, but combining cardiovascular and weight training is necessary for anyone with high athletic aspirations—they go hand in hand.
Let’s explore some of the tools you can use to enhance your hybrid training experience.
Fitness Tracking Tools for Hybrid Training
If you’re anything like me, you love to visualise progress. Without seeing the measurable data from training (distance covered, weight lifted, etc.), I’m unsure if I would be as committed to fitness as I am.
Throughout the years, I’ve developed a tech stack for training that does everything I want it to. My fitness tech stack includes:
Strava
Strava is worshipped in the fitness community. It’s essentially a social media platform solely for fitness. You can log your runs, weight training sessions, and any other fitness activity you do.
The data is stored on your profile for you to track, and it even gives you a year in review, similar to Spotify Wrapped.
If you don’t want to share your fitness progress with others, that’s fine too. Simply set your profile as private and you can use it as a way to store and track your fitness data. Best of all, Strava is completely free (a paid premium subscription is available).
Fitness Wearables
Strava is essentially useless without the proper means of recording your workouts. That’s why a wearable device is important if you want an accurate measure of each session.
I have worn a Garmin Fenix watch since 2021, and I don’t think I’ll ever work out without one for the rest of my life. However, this can have its downsides—if you catch me without my watch in the summer, you’ll notice the signature watch-shaped tan line around my left wrist.
Other fitness wearables are available and just as viable an option (WHOOP, FitBit, etc.)
A fitness wearable can track the important physiological metrics for almost any workout, making it probably the most important tool for hybrid athletes to track each workout.
Heart Rate Monitor
Whatever fitness wearable you choose, it almost certainly has a heart rate monitor built-in. However, it is not the primary feature, so the accuracy isn’t as reliable as a purpose-built heart rate monitor. A chest strap heart rate monitor is far more accurate for gathering heart rate data for athletes at every level.
Especially for cardio training when you are aiming to train in a specific heart rate zone, you want an accurate measure to understand if you’re doing what you have planned.
I use a Garmin HRM-Pro Dual, and it has improved my cardio training. When you’re aiming to train in a specific heart rate zone, a more accurate measurement is always better.
Spreadsheets
Putting all this information together in one place will help you stay motivated because you’ll be able to see all the amazing progress you have made in every fitness area. I like to do this within a spreadsheet on Microsoft Excel (Google Sheets does the same job for free).
I’m not afraid to admit that I track all the fitness metrics that matter to me on a big Excel document and have done since the beginning of 2023.
If you don’t have experience with Excel or Sheets, you’ll need to commit some time to learn the fundamentals to get the most out of the tool, but the work is worth it.
Some examples of what you can do on a spreadsheet to help hybrid fitness training include:
Comprehensive tracking of fitness metrics over time.
Create customisable dashboards to monitor weight, body fat percentage, performance stats, and trends.
Tools for Running
Running has changed my life since I started consistently running in 2023. I’ve already mentioned some tools that are beneficial for running training (Strava, heart rate monitor, fitness wearable), but the next two have the biggest impact on sustained running performance.
Running Shoes
If you want to enjoy running and increase your ability to run, your choice of footwear is a key decision.
Your footwear can play a huge role in your enjoyment of your running training. Wearing a pair that causes blisters or is just uncomfortable will only deter you from lacing up and hitting the road.
With the surge in the popularity of running in recent years, shoe prices have increased. But investing in a good £150—£200 pair of running shoes will give you the boost you need to run with confidence.
Different brands suit different people. As with anything in fitness, your approach should be unique to you. If your friend loves a pair of shoes but you hate them, that’s my point. There is no universal “best” running shoe. Some shoes work for individuals, some don’t.
I have tested a few brands, including Nike, Hoka, and (currently) Brooks. That’s another point—you’re probably never going to be satisfied and unconditionally in love with a specific brand and model of shoe. It’s a continuous testing process. Pretend your name is Goldilocks when deciding on footwear.
Different gaits and terrains require different shoes, too.
If you can, rotating between pairs of shoes can help extend shoe life and reduce injury risk.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is essential, especially during long runs. Dehydration can lead to decreased performance, fatigue, and even more serious health issues like heat exhaustion. A reliable water bottle ensures you have access to hydration when you need it most. Look for one that is lightweight, durable, and easy to carry during your training.
Investing in a high-quality water bottle, such as a handheld bottle or a hydration vest, can make a big difference in your training.
Proper hydration supports endurance, recovery, and overall performance by helping to regulate body temperature, maintain joint movement, and transport nutrients to muscles. Don’t underestimate the importance of this seemingly simple tool.
Tools for Weightlifting
Weight Lifting Straps
If your forearms and hands hurt after a heavy back day, that’s a problem (depending on your goals).
To get the most out of your compound pull movements (pull-ups, bent-over rows, etc.), you want to maximise the strength adaptations to your back. When you rely on your grip strength to do these movements, you put unnecessary strain on your forearms. That’s energy that could be better spent doing the intended exercise.
I learned this the hard way.
For years I was doing barbell Romanian deadlifts without weight lifting straps but I couldn’t break a plateau weight. I spent each set focusing on gripping the barbell and my form suffered. I tried out weight-lifting straps and felt an instant transformation in my strength.
They can be a pain to set up (and remember to pack in your gym bag), but they’re more than worth it if you want to get the maximum results for your time in the gym.
Appropriate Gym Shoes
This is directed towards leg day. You want to get the most out of your strength training sessions, and your footwear can play a big role in that.
For example, for leg-focused workouts, flat-soled or minimal cushioning shoes improve stability and force transfer. If you mix cardio and weights, look for dual-purpose shoes that balance cushioning with support.
Workout Tracking App
Without a way of tracking each rep, set, and exercise of any workout, I’d be lost. Apps that let you plan and log your strength training can be a huge boost.
I use the Strong Workout App (free version). The app makes it easy to log sets, reps, and exercises. With template workouts and customisation options, it has everything I need from a workout tracking app.
Tech for Recovery
Xbox
The outrage! A fitness writer writing an article about tools for hybrid training suggests a tool that requires you to sit down and do nothing! What’s going on?
The truth is; that you need time to recover from training where you don’t expend any energy—physically and mentally. If your idea of recovery from hybrid training is sitting at a desk and working, you’re missing the point (unless your work truly relaxes you).
YouTube
Again, the theme of this section is things you might not expect to help you achieve your fitness goals, but are extremely powerful.
Putting on a YouTube video that doesn’t require you to think will do wonders for your overall recovery.
Recovery, as with anything, is individual to you. There is no correct way of recovering from training, there is only what works for you. Embrace the subtle art of doing nothing, experiment with different recovery modalities, and have fun with it.
Tips for Building Your Hybrid Training Stack
This isn’t an exhaustive list of the tools you need to succeed as a hybrid athlete—I’m certain there’s a lot I have missed. However, these are the tools that have worked for me.
Here are the key takeaways to remember:
Start with essentials: fitness wearables, tracking apps, and proper footwear.
Prioritise tools that align with your specific goals.
Regularly test and refine your setup to meet evolving training needs.
Focus on tools that provide long-term value and actionable insights.
Conclusion
Hybrid athletes need tools tailored to both strength and endurance goals. The tools listed here offer versatility, performance insights, and recovery support. Experiment with different options, track what works best, and build a personalised tech stack that enhances your training experience.
