STRENGTH TRAINING FOR RUNNERS

Strength training is important for runners.  We are not telling you to hit the gym and bulk up!  You can do basic strength exercises at home without weights, or you can use gym machines with slow controlled movements at high repetitions.  You can find general strength workouts for runners, or see a therapist or trainer for an assessment  for focused regimens to overcome specific weaknesses and functional deficits.  Let’s explore some common targets for strength training:

EXAMPLE 1:  OUR CALVES tend to get neglected as we get older, especially in our “sitting” culture.     Calf raises before, during, and after your run can cause big improvements in calf strength. 

EXAMPLE 2: HAMSTRING STRENGTH is very important for runners in leg movement.  Strong, active hamstrings can actually improve gait mechanics and leg turnover to make you a faster, more efficient runner.  Bodyweight hamstring exercises are very effective, without the need for weights or machines.  A strength regimen can be combined with specific running drills for even better results.