Why Strength Training for Runners is So Important
Strength training for runners, a lot of runners believe that it will slow them down when they run.
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However, contrary to this popular belief, strength training is actually an ideal way for runners to become faster and stronger runners.
If you're pressed for time, most of us are, you may not want to waist time strength training and instead you want to spend your time focusing on running instead.
But strength training doesn't have to take up too much of your time and you can perform a great workout right at home and save the time you spend going to and from a gym.
Best of all the time spent strength training will improve your running if done properly.
There are actually a few reasons why strength training for runners is so crucial to becoming a better runner.
1. Increases your Endurance Levels
2. Strengthens you Joints and Connective Tissues
3. Helps to Prevent Injury
Most injuries are due to weakness and muscular imbalances. Muscle imbalances are the cause of overuse, which leads to non primary muscles taking over the function of a primary muscle.
Over time this can lead to serious injury and more wear and tear on joints and connective tissues. Runners are especially prone to knee and hip joint pain and injury.
So focus on strengthening and stretching your lower body to prevent these problems in the first place. Strength training is one of the best ways, if not the only way, to correct and prevent imbalances and also to maintain proper functioning of muscles and joint stability.
Keep in mind that strength training is not the same thing as bodybuilding. Your goal is to build strength and endurance rather than muscle mass. The best way to do that is to keep your repetitions high to moderate (12 - 20) and target each major muscle group.
You can perform one exercise for each muscle group and complete a full body workout in less than 30 minutes. See this 30 Minute Workout for a sample workout.
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