Over 50% of runners get injured every year, and most of them are making these 2 mistakes: Increasing mileage too quickly, and not being strong enough to handle said mileage
If you want to avoid becoming part of this statistic, strength training is non-negotiable. A well structured, full-body strength program can significantly reduce your injury risk AND improve your performance.
The issue is that you probably don't know what to do, or you feel intimidated by going to the gym. I get it. You're a runner, you don't want to spend a ton of time learning the ins and outs of strength training. That's why a program like this is exactly what you need.
This program will show you what to do, how often to do it, and has progressions built in to make sure you're getting stronger along the way. And even better? You can do it from home if you have a couple dumbbells, a band, and a swiss ball.
This is an 8 week strength program for runners who are new to strength training or want to train at home with minimal equipment. It's written by a physical therapist who's specialized in running related injuries and is meant to be performed in your off season (when you aren't actively training for a race).
A1
Lateral lunge ball rolls
1 x 20
A2
Swiss ball side plank
1 x 15
A3
Air Squat
1 x 20
A4
3 way pogo hops
3 x 30
B1
Heel elevated goblet squat
4 x 6
B2
Single arm DB row
4 x 8
C1
Single leg RDL-1 weight
3 x 8
C2
Push up
3 x 8
D1
Heels up bridge on foam roll
3 x 30
D2
Farmers carry march
3 x 30
A1
Lunge with twist
1 x 10
A2
Band pullapart
1 x 20
A3
Hip hinge with overhead reach
1 x 20
A4
3 way pogo hops
3 x 30
B1
Bridges
4 x 8
B2
Seated dumbbell shoulder press
4 x 8
C1
RFE split squat
3 x 8
C2
Banded row
3 x 8
D1
Staggered heel raise
3 x 10
D2
Farmers carry march
3 x 30
A1
Forward lunge
1 x 15
A2
Banded shoulder mobility
1 x 20
A3
Inch worm walkout
1 x 5
A4
3 way pogo hops
3 x 30
B1
Floor chest press
4 x 8
B2
Hamstring curl with ball
4 x 8
C1
Single arm DB row
3 x 8
C2
Step up with knee drive
3 x 8
D1
Side plank hip lift
3 x 10
D2
Farmers carry march
3 x 30
As a physical therapist, strength coach, and avid runner, Dr. Jackie spends her days in the clinic helping injured runners get back to doing what they love safely. She believes combining smart running with strength training is the key to staying healthy and in the sport long term.
The key to becoming a better runner is staying healthy, and having a strong resilient body is a massive part of that! Choose strength before injury chooses you.
Get Off season running strength-Home basedUsed strength training to build mileage
Verified Athlete"Your advice and exercises gave me the confidence and tools to make that happen."
Learned to balance run/strength to PR
Verified Athlete"All the work I've put in over the past few months set me up to do great today."
Injury comeback PR by adding strength
Verified Athlete"I have never felt stronger as a runner than I do right now."
Rebuilt strength postpartum
Verified Athlete"The exercise program you sent is amazing. Seriously."