I could give you so many reasons why strength training is important for runners (you can check out this article and this one for more details), but maybe it’s enough to tell you that strength training will make you a faster, stronger, more efficient runner. Yes, really. And today on Run It, Allie, Angela, Laura, Sandra, Sarah and I are sharing our favorite workouts for runners with equipment. Because sometimes it’s fun to lift all the heavy things, and attack the rowing machine, and roll around with the stability ball. And these workouts for runners with equipment are all designed to make YOU a better runner.
If you’ve been following our Run It, or our Workouts for Runners series, you’ll know that core strength is super important for runners. Having a strong core (abdominals, back and glutes) ensures your form doesn’t break down as soon as you get tired, drives you through the tough parts of a run, and keeps your posture strong while you’re running. That’s why I love using the stability ball – not only is it a great choice for core-specific exercises, but because it’s such an unstable piece of equipment, it also forces you to use your stabilizing and postural muscles even while doing exercises like squats and bench press.
This workout is one I put together a few months ago, so you can get more information here, but below you’ll find a visual breakdown of the workout.
3 circuits, 2 sets of 15 reps for each circuit.
1 minute break between circuits, or before moving on to the next circuit.
Choose weights that feel challenging for the last couple of reps of your exercise.
I promise you, even if you think you have pretty strong abs, you will be feeling sore the day after this workout!
Ready to see what the other Run It bloggers have put together for you? Check out the other workouts for runners with equipment in the round up below:
Allie from Vita Train for Life
Angela from Happy Fit Mama
Laura from This Runner’s Recipes
Sandra from Organic Runner Mom
Sarah from Run Far Girl
What’s your favorite equipment to use when you’re working out?
Your workout looks challenging in such a good way – I definitely need to try it. The stability ball is also one of my favorite tools (we shared a few of the same exercises!). The stability ball bench press is one exercise I need to add into my rotation.
Laura @ This Runner’s Recipes recently posted…Equipment Based Workouts for Runners {Run It}
These are some great workout ideas. I will have to try those.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Birthday Surprise
Now with you and Laura both showing stability ball workouts I think I need to get in the groove! Hoping we can meet up soon!
Sandra D Laflamme recently posted…RUN IT: Strength Training for Runners using Equipment
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