Concurrent Training: Combining Strength and Endurance
Concurrent training combines strength and endurance work in the same plan, with potential interference effects.
Key takeaways
- Interference is real but manageable
- Separate sessions by 6+ hours when possible
- Strength first if same-session
- Cycling interferes less than running with leg strength
Definition
Concurrent training is the simultaneous development of strength and endurance qualities. The interference effect (Hickson, 1980) describes the phenomenon where high-volume endurance training blunts strength and hypertrophy adaptations when poorly managed.
Minimising interference
Separate sessions by 6+ hours when possible.
Strength before endurance within a single session if combining.
Modality matters — running interferes more than cycling for lower-body strength.
Volume thresholds: keep endurance under 4 sessions/week if strength is the priority.
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