Building strength and stability helps to improve your running. You will improve your posture, build muscle and prevent injury. They key is to target your entire body by actively engaging the muscles. You need to focus on strengthening the core from the inside out.
Check out these 5 simple and easy to master moves. Add them to your routine before or after a run.
1. PLANK – try holding for a full song. Switch positions every 30-60 sec. Alt from hands, to forearms to side plank. When done correctly it should feel hardest on your stomach muscles, not your shoulders.
2. SINGLE-LEG DEADLIFT – Challenges your core strength by forcing you to balance while moving forward with your weight entirely on one foot.
3. FLOOR GLUTE BRIDGE – Considered a fundamental core-stability and gluteal-strengthening exercise. Lie on your back, using your core and glutes, lift your back off the floor forming a bridge. Hold for 30-60 sec then lower and rpt.
4. LUNGES – Lower your back leg down to the ground so the front knee is bent and the legs form a 90 degree angle. Your back leg should be balancing on the foot, the front leg, firmly on the ground. Pushup off the back foot to stand up and rpt.
5. STEPUPS – The trick is to step up and down in measured, smooth motions. Focus on keeping your legs lifted straight hips squared. Do 15 on each side.
If you’re a runner and are looking for something to build muscle and increase performance, add these 5 moves to your routine today!
