Many runners don’t do as much strength training as they should.
Yours truly included.
But if their is one area that runners really make an effort to address is building a strong core.
A strong core will do more to help you improve as a runner and safeguard yourself against injury than any shoes, coaching, or “miracle cures” out there.
Yeah, it’s that important.
While (too) many runners are still struggling to grasp the importance of regular strength training and the positive impact it has on their running, a lot of runners tend to do some core work on a regular basis.
At least they think they are working their cores.
However, too many runners (and people in general) think that working their abs is the same thing as working their core. And honestly, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Best Core Exercises for Runners
Your core muscle group includes your abs, obliques, and the muscles in your lower back, and all of them are vital for improved running performance and injury prevention. However, if you focus on your abs and neglect the other areas of your core, you are actually setting yourself up for more problems than you’re preventing. Read more
For many runners (and people in general) “core exercises” are little more than some crunches or sit ups.
Yet your abdominal muscles are just one component of your core, and those crunches/sit ups aren’t doing much for your lower back, hips, glutes, or obliques.
As runners, a strong core is vital for improved running performance and resistance to injury.
And to be blunt, doing crunches isn’t enough.
So here are 5 of the best core strengthening exercises for runners out there, and if you do them consistently, I guarantee you’ll see the payoff sooner rather than later!
