Strength training for running - more Sennheiser training content
Training for running isn’t just about running - yes, it’s vital (it goes without saying really, doesn’t it!?) - but there are other key components that need given some serious consideration including strength training.
The latest three articles on the Sennheiser training site focus on strength training.
How do you train for running? If it were a case of just putting one foot in front of the other over and over again we wouldn't need this huge section on training!
Training for running is like baking a cake and your programme is like a recipe. You could just make a basic sponge cake, which will taste okay but doesn't necessarily have the wow factor! To make it stand out from the others the cook may add other ingredients and be careful to get the balance just right. The ingredients used for the basic sponge will possibly still make up a significant percentage of the mix but there will be other, special ingredients to go in to ensure that it fits the requirments of the occasion or party.
A runner needs to go out and put one foot in front of the other over and over but in order to improve should put in some special ingredients and one of those could or (maybe) should be weight training.
runstronger: Developing elastic strength
Running is plyometric activity that requires you to have good elastic strength, but what does that mean and how do you achieve it?
A plyometric movement requires an eccentric (lengthening) contraction followed by a concentric (shortening) contraction of the same muscle. When the concentric contraction immediately follows the eccentric contraction it is much more dynamic and is stonger than an isometric movement from a static position. The difference is in the elasticity of the muscle. Examples of activities that use a stretch/reflex of the muscle and so store elastic energy to produce dynamic movement are jumping activities.
runstronger: Developing core stability
Being strong and stable in your core (the middle part of your body) means improved posture, balance and coordination. That, in turn, means improved running. Read on for exercises that will give you just that!
Core training improves your ability to control muscles and movements. It develops strength in muscles that lie deep in the abdomen and connect to the spine, pelvis and shoulders. This then helps you to maintain good posture, balance and co-ordination, run with a better technique or more efficient style and so reduce the risk of injury through extreme range of movement or excessive forces going through your body.