ActiveRunning9 best strength training exercises for runners to help power through even the most challenging sessionsRunners, these are the 9 strength training exercises you need to get better at runningWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveRunning9 best strength training exercises for runners to help power through even the most challenging sessionsRunners, these are the 9 strength training exercises you need to get better at runningWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Runners, these are the 9 strength training exercises you need to get better at running
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Jump to category:Best strength training exercises for runners
Jump to category:Best strength training exercises for runners
It can be hard for runners who love to get out and clock up the miles to set aside days in the week for strength training exercises. However, including these in your training plan can make a massive difference to running performance as well as help reduce potential injuries. Do yourself a favour and add these strength training exercises to your workout plan starting today.
Need some new running gear? Check out T3’s dedicated running buying guides, including thebest running shoes,best women’s running shoesandbest running watchroundups. We also listed thebest Nike running shoes, in case you fancy a pair from the most popular sports manufacturer on the market today.
Don’t forget tobreak in your running shoesbefore you start your running training; it can save you from pain and also prolong the life of the shoes.
How beneficial is strength work to runners?
Strength work improves your power and endurance, not just your strength. For women in menopause, it can also help improve their bone density as it naturally declines. Runners need to improve their basic ABCs: agility, balance and coordination and there’s no doubt that strength training will do this, helping to make you a more rounded athlete as well as give you a more efficient running technique.
It’s important not to focus only on the obvious - strengthening the muscles of your legs. A strong core and upper body are just as important. In longer runs or races, when exhaustion sets in, this can lead to the familiar race photo where you’re leaning forwards as your shoulders collapse inwards, putting immense pressure through your spine and your skeleton. Strength works will improve your leg power as well as ensure you can maintain a pace you want to right to your finish line.
Strength training for runners: Focus on form
Whenever you are doing strength work, it’s essential to focus on the quality of each movement, rather than trying to hit numbers in a rep. For example, if you’re doing calf raises on the bottom step of a flight of stairs try and ensure that your weight is spread evenly through the ball of your foot, and that you push right up to the top of the big toe, while keeping your pelvis stable and your core engaged.
Imagine there is a Union Jack of different muscles across the front of your torso, and you are drawing them all in. Be present in the moment during each move to ensure you’re engaging your core and doing the exercise correctly.
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If you’re not used to strength training, there’s a tendency to feel that you can’t fit it in on top of your other training. Beginners can start with very small sets of up to 10 exercises to allow the body to get used to the work. Look at your training plan for the week and see where you can fit in one, two or three 10-minute blocks where you attempt to do one or two moves. Slowly build on this as your strength improves and your body adapts.
Break down strength work so you are doing exercises for different parts of the body on different days, or every other day, for example you could do legs on Mondays, core on Wednesdays and upper body on Fridays. If you can, set aside an extra 10 minutes after a run to focus on some strength work before you go into a deep stretch. The more this becomes a routine the more you genuinely start to enjoy feeling present in your body, being in touch with your muscles and how simple lengthening can feel wonderful.
I always say to my athletes try to find two times in your day to do these exercises. When the kettle is boiling you could do squats in the kitchen, or every time you go up a flight of stairs, whether it’s at home or at work, stop on the bottom step and do calf raises. When cleaning your teeth, you have another five-minute window where you could be doing squats, lateral lunges, or reverse lunges.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The best strength training exercise for runners
In-depth:how to do planks
Create a chart to watch your progression and get other members of your household involved in plank-offs. Once your body is used to holding plank and you feel strong you can introduce variations such as plank rotations, bringing your knees up towards your elbows (spider plank), side plank or reverse plank. The beauty of this simplest of exercises is it engages so many different muscles in the body and is easy to improve.
This10-minute core workoutfrom a top FightCamp coach might help you get started.
Don’t ignore your upper body
In your runners' strength training session, always include upper body and arm exercises.
During longer runs and races, as the body fatigues your strong backward elbow drive and the speed of that drive, powers the turnover of your legs. Feeling strong through the upper body can make a difference, especially on trail runs over hilly terrain, when you’re elbow drive helps to keep up your momentum and power up.
Best strength training exercises for runners
1. Forward lunge
2. Split squat
3. Reverse lunge
Stand tall and lunge back aiming for 90-degree angles in both knees. Your front knee shouldn’t go over your toes. Keep your chest open and your torso tall. Press down through the front heel to return to upright
4. Lateral lunge
Keep your chest high and look ahead. Step to the side and pull your weight back into a squat (hinging your hips). Keep your toes facing forward. Try not to lean forward or look down.
5. Hip abduction
Isolate your hips so that only your leg is moving as you take out and slightly behind you.
6. Calf raises
7. Squat jumps
Feet a little wider than shoulder-width with your toes forward. Explode up. Imagine pushing your knees outwards as you go down into each squat (so that they don’t collapse inwards).
8. Plank
Make sure you have a neutral spine, with your hips, shoulders, and head in alignment (your butt isn’t sticking up or your lower back arching). Aim to hold for 30 seconds to start, then build time.
9. Hip bridge
Lie on the floor, place your hands on your hips to help you tilt your pelvis under (imagine pulling your belly button down into the ground). Then slowly peel your butt off the floor one vertebrae at a time until you are comfortably extended.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
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