Last month, I decided I would finally return to my local gym after a few months away. But in the very week I planned on going back, the gym shut down for repairs. My sister suggested I try an at-home workout instead, but my initial reaction was “absolutely not.” I only wanted to strength train with heavy weights because that’s what I was used to.

But I didn’t want to take more time off. I wanted to move my muscles again, as I was feeling mentally and physically antsy. I also wanted to start strength training to support my winter treadmill miles .

When weekly snowstorms further threatened my ability to get to the gym, I realized I needed to come up with some sort of strength solution that I could do at any time, without leaving home.

That’s when I turned to the month-long Race-Ready Strength program , which only requires 30 minutes, three times a week. My first attempt at it wasn’t very successful.…