Combining running and strength training is a great way to prevent common running injuries, and improve your running form and performance.
If you’re new to strength training, then this 30 day strength training plan for runners is a simple and effective way to incorporate strength exercises into your training plan.
Many runners neglect strength training and focus solely on running, when in fact it’s important to incorporate activities like strength training and cross training into your training routine in order to stay injury free for longer.
If you’re running regularly each week, it is recommended you do strength exercises alongside your running.
The 30 day strength training runners plan is designed to help any runner who is interested in dabbling in a bit of strength training to improve their running performance.
Fear not! Combining running and strength training doesn’t have to be complicated.
By incorporating a few simple strength training exercises into your plan each week, you will soon get into a routine of completing these after your runs or between each run.
- What is strength training?
- Why is strength training for runners important?
- How much strength training should runners do?
- 30-day strength training plan for runners
- Strength training for runners tips
What is strength training?
Strength training is essentially a type of exercise that specialises in the use of resistance to build the strength, anaerobic endurance and size of skeletal muscles and bone density.
Resistance could be in the form of your own bodyweight or weights such as dumbbells, kettlebells or medicine balls.
Why is strength training for runners important?
Strength training for runners is important because it helps to build stronger muscles and connective tissues.
This in turn makes you run more efficiently and helps you run faster for longer.
One of the biggest reasons to include strength training is that it helps to dramatically reduce the risk of injury.
In fact, various studies have shown that when performed consistently, strength training (also known as resistance training) can benefit your running form and economy and helps reduce the risk of injury.
The injury rate in the running community remains pretty high. Unfortunately, overuse injuries like IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, shin splints and runner’s knee are all very common.
With an effective strength training plan, you can avoid a lot of these niggling injuries.
Studies have shown that strength training helps to prevent IT band syndrome. Other studies have also shown that weight training improves performance, form and power.
How much strength training should runners do?
By sprinkling strength training workouts out across the week, instead of in one lengthy workout, this will free up your time to focus on running (yay!) and other cross-training activities like cycling, swimming.
All of the exercises in my 30 day strength training plan for runners can be completed from the comfort of your own home or outdoors.
You may need access to a few pieces of equipment like resistance bands and dumbbells for some of the exercises.
If you do not have these at home, then do not worry as the exercises can be adapted not to include the use of equipment.
You’ll see in the plan that the first two weeks comprise of bodyweight exercises and resistance band workouts. It’s not until week 3 that weights such as dumbbells are introduced into the plan.
If you don’t have access to weights at home, then you can use items in your kitchen as substitutions.
For example, baked bean cans, bottles of milk, and bottles of water can be used as weights.
If you’d prefer not to use weights, then each exercise can be adapted so you don’t have to use weights.
30 day strength training plan for runners
For 30 days you’ll complete a set of four strength exercises each day.
The plan is designed to allow your muscles to rest as each workout alternates between various muscle groups.
Each strength training workout takes less than 20 minutes to complete each day. This way it’s easy to slot them in after your run or sandwich them between a warm-up and a run.
You will find that a lot of the strength exercises in the plan target all the main muscle groups in your legs and core, with a few that focus on your upper body.
Your hips and legs contain all the power muscles when it comes to running – think your glutes, hamstrings and hip flexors – whilst your core contains key stabiliser muscles that help you keep a strong and stable position whilst running.
Remember, strength training is very much a journey for you and your body – it’s a marathon and not a sprint (excuse the pun).
Don’t be tempted to skip forward to a week – work your way steadily through the plan.
Week by week
Here is my 30 day strength training plan for runners. I have split the plan into four weeks, with each week getting progressively harder.
- Week 1 – Bodyweight strength exercises
- Week 2 – Resistance band strength exercises
- Week 3 – Weighted strength exercises
- Week 4 – Plyometric strength exercises
Depending on how much running you are looking to do each week, you can substitute an easy run or cross training day for an additional rest day.
You can also choose to re-do the previous week’s plan should you not feel ready to continue onto the next week.
You will see notes below on using this plan, as well as various tips on completing each exercise. If you don’t feel comfortable completing any of the exercises, then feel free to swap it with another exercise.
Week 1 – Bodyweight strength exercises
In the first week, all the strength exercises are bodyweight exercises. This means you will be using nothing but your own body weight as the resistance.
| Monday | Easy run | Complete 3 sets of 12-15 reps of each exercise, with 1 minute rest in between each set. Squat Reverse lunge Single-leg glute bridge Kneel to stands |
| Tuesday | Speed training | Complete 3 sets of 12-15 reps of each exercise, with 1 minute rest in between each set. Plank (hold for 30-45 seconds) Russian twist V-sits Superman pull |
| Wednesday | Cross training | Complete 3 sets of 12-15 reps of each exercise, with 1 minute rest in between each set. Squat thrust Step ups Forward lunge Fire hydrant |
| Thursday | Easy run | Complete 3 sets of 12-15 reps of each exercise, with 1 minute rest in between each set. Bicycle crunch Side plank (hold for 30-45 seconds) Dead bug Step up plank |
| Friday | Easy run | Complete 3 sets of 12-15 reps of each exercise, with 1 minute rest in between each set. Donkey kickbacks Calf raises Hip bridge Side-lying leg lift |
| Saturday | Long run | Complete 3 sets of 12-15 reps of each exercise, with 1 minute rest in between each set. Press up Tricep dips Bicep curls to push press Plank sidewalk |
| Sunday | Rest day | Rest day |
Week 2 – Resistance band strength exercises
This week we ramp things up a little with the introduction of resistance band strength exercises.
If you don’t have a resistance band at home, then you can still complete these exercises without one.
I swear by resistance bands in my training as they help to target the major muscles you use while running, mainly your core, glutes, and legs.
Week 3 – Weighted strength exercises
It’s time to add some weights! For these exercises you will need a pair of dumbbells.
If you don’t have dumbbells at home then you can substitute for bottles of water or anything that you can safely hold whilst performing these exercises (e.g. cartons of milk, baked bean cans).
It’s important to add weight into your strength training but only once you feel comfortable to do so.
Once you feel you have grasped the basics with bodyweight exercises, then you can graduate to doing strength exercises with weights.
Week 4 – Plyometric strength exercises
This week it’s all about speed and power. Plyometric exercises (also known as high intensity exercises) are great for runners as they are explosive and target different energy systems.
In long distance running, you are mainly using your aerobic energy system. With plyometric exercises, you are tapping more into your anaerobic energy system which helps you do more explosive and powerful movements.
Strength training for runners tips
#1 Don’t push through the pain
Do not exercise through pain. If you feel pain at any point completing any of the exercises in this plan, stop and consult with your doctor or health practitioner before attempting the plan.
Similarly, only complete an exercise if you feel comfortable. If a previous or current injury prevents you from completing an exercise properly, then do not attempt the exercise.
#2 Stretch and recover
Stretching and adequate recovery is just as important as running, so make sure you take the time to look after your body in between strength training sessions.
At first you may feel sore the day after completing a group of exercises. This is normal to an extent if you’re new to strength training.
#3 Cross train
A lot of runners complete cross training activities like swimming and yoga on their rest days or cross training days.
Yoga is particularly beneficial to help loosen tight muscles.
#4 Fuel your body properly
Food and nutrition is also important, especially when you’re doing more strength training.
Whilst carbs are your best friend as a runner to keep your energy levels maintained, with strength training it’s important you get enough protein in your diet to help repair cells after a run or workout.
About:
I’m Rene, I’m a Run Coach, and Personal Trainer. I share tips on all things running. Say hello at info@runprofessor,com
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