Why Runners Should Strength Train

For most runners, time spent on the road is very rarely in pursuit of big guns or a killer 6 pack! If you like to run and have been struggling to increase your mile pace or need a boost in short sprint speed for the final kick, strength training is the answer.

Strength training builds lean muscle mass, so the more you run the more you’re breaking down muscle fibers. With that being said, runners need to strength train in order to build those muscles back up.

If you’re already strength training and not seeing results, it may be because you’re not doing the right kind of training—that is, there may be something wrong with your protocol such that you’re not triggering adaptations.

If you’re running to lose weight, strength training is a must. You’ll see results much faster. Strength training will boost your metabolism and improve your insulin health and blood sugar levels in addition to supporting hormone response for fat burning.

Don’t be scared by the idea of heavy lifting. If you are an elite runner and you do not want to increase body weight by gaining lean mass, don’t worry.

Recreational runners probably won’t increase body weight from training either, assuming you do a decent volume of running. With the right weight lifting program, you will lose fat. If you want to gain muscle mass, and “get big,” endurance running is probably not a good choice.

Older individuals also benefit just as much as young runners from strength training. Lifting weights has been shown to lessen the gap between young and old in terms of strength and speed endurance.

Increasing lean muscle and decreasing body fat also allows the body to burn more calories, making it easier to maintain your weight. Strength training can also help to prevent injury. 70% of ALL runners become injured each year, which include runners knee, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and iliotibial band syndrome. The great news for anyone who is a runner, injury prevention through strength training can fortify all of these weak areas.

You can start with Pilates, working the body from the inside out and then progress to weights. Or if you aren’t quite comfortable in a gym lifting weights, try a boot camp class at a private studio with a certified trainer/coach. It’s a great way to get a total body strength-training workout and learn proper form and technique for all exercises.

It’s highly motivating and boot camps offer variety too! After a couple classes, you can later use the exercises you learned in class and do the on your own at home or at the gym.

Edge Fitness offers a great total body strength training boot camp classes multiple times during the week. Get on the upper Edge and become a faster and stronger runner NOW! Come try a boot camp class at Edge Fitness FREE on us. Contact us at [email protected] to get started.