We all know how important strength is for runners, but yet as runners we don’t do enough of it. Lets face it we are busy, and sometimes even making time for running is hard. Just doing 15 minutes of strength once or twice a week can be beneficial though.
As runners we have weak glutes and hips. Part of the reason behind this is that we sit on our arses a lot throughout the day, weakening our glutes. Strengthening these muscles helps to prevent injuries to the knees and even ankles. A strong core helps with our cadence and form. Strengthening our glutes, the muscles around our knees and our hips will benefit our running and prevent injury.
I put together 3 different Tabata workouts (HIIT high intensity interval training workouts) that utilize the muscles we need most for running. Tabata workouts are designed to be quick, while being effective. These workouts only require 15-20 minutes of your time. Doing them 2x per week will benefit your running. I chose exercises that all runners should be incorporating into their routines, as they work the muscles that are our weakest.
Do each workout once for a total of 20 minutes, or if you only have 15 minutes drop one exercise off of each different workout. Tabata workouts are 8 rounds per exercise, in a 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off for a total of 4 minutes per exercise. Rest one minute before performing the next exercise. Believe it or not they will kick your butt, they certainly kicked mine.
Hope these exercises will help to strengthen your muscles and improve your running. Now get off your butt, stop reading my post and HIIT it!! 😉
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit
I am currently working on a project– this would come in so handy–can I link you up? I love learning new strength routines!
Of course you can link me up!!