Improve Your Running Technique with These Exercises
December 15th, 2020
Running is an excellent addition to any workout routine, whether you’re trying to lose weight or get in shape to run a marathon. However, you can’t just start running and expect to get good results. As with any other form of exercise, you need to perform exercises to improve your running technique!
Good exercises for improving running focus on strengthening your hamstrings, quadriceps, hips, and ankles. These exercises will help you move well and keep you from becoming injured even if you run long distances.
5 Great Exercises You Can Do At Home
Here are five exercises that you can do in the comfort of your home that can help you improve your running technique. These five exercises will help you build a strong running foundation.
Narrow Squat
While holding a dumbbell upright between your hands, stand up straight with your feet apart at hip width. Slowly bend your knees until your glutes are level with your knees, all while keeping your back straight. Finish by straightening up. This exercise targets your quads and glutes, and prepares your muscles for the shock of running.
Elevated Lunge
Stand on a slightly elevated surface. Step your left foot back and bend your left knee until your knee touches the ground. Finish this exercise by straightening back up. Repeat with the other leg. This exercise opens up and strengthens your hip muscles.
Narrow Hip Lunge
Stand up straight with your arms at your sides while holding dumbbells. Bend your knees slightly and bend forward at the hips while keeping your back straight. This is another exercise that helps strengthen your hips and prevent injuries while running.
Hamstring Slide
While lying on your back, place your feet flat on the ground and lift up your lower body except for arms, upper shoulders, heels, and head. Pull both legs toward your body until heels are directly below your knees. Make sure that your knees don’t go past your toes. Return to start. To modify, do one leg at a time. This exercise strengthens your hamstrings and prevents knee injuries and hamstring pulls.
Ankle Mobility Stretches
Using a stool, or something similar, place one foot on top with the other foot flat on the floor. Using the leg on the floor, stand on your toes making sure to keep your balance. Repeat this up and down with both legs. This exercise targets your ankles and strengthens the muscles and tendons inside. Ankles are one of the most abused body parts during running, so make sure to strengthen them as much as possible!
What Equipment Do I Need To Perform These Exercises?
All of the exercises mentioned above may require some type of weight in your hands to be effective for your body type. You can use dumbbells or kettle bells, if you have them. However, if you don’t have weights at home, don’t worry, you may not need them. Otherwise you can use common household items such as wireless speakers or even full water bottles.
It is also recommended that you use a yoga mat for these exercises to prevent slipping on the floor. For yoga and wellness product guides, visit Lotus Kitty at www.lotuskitty.com. Woodway USA is not affiliated.
Conclusion
There you have it, five exercises to help you improve your running technique! These exercises will help you loosen up and strengthen the muscles in your legs and ankles so that you can fun faster and for longer distances. You can add more exercises to further improve your running technique; just make sure that they are the correct exercises that will compliment your running form.
From everyone at WOODWAY – we wish you continued safety and health!
