Getting faster usually tops the list of many runners’ goals. And it’s a worthy one, considering there’s nothing quite like the feeling of crossing a finish line with a new PR. That confidence Keep back straight, chest lifted, and left knee over toes.

To reach that goal, you should obviously clock miles regularly and add speed workouts to your schedule (after all, practicing quicker paces is key). But adding these strength exercises to run faster to your routine will also pay off in pace gains.

If you’re a runner who often skips out on strength, know that research proves the benefits of adding it to your routine. The evidence: A systematic review published in Sports Medicine Then, drive through left foot to stand up running economy, time trial performance, and maximal sprint speed in middle- and long-distance runners of all levels. This research suggests doing two to three days a week of You will need one heavy weight a until right knee lightly taps the floor plyometric exercises (you’ll find a mix of those below).

Keep in mind, most experts say that when combining Face a sturdy box, aerobic step, or weight bench. Stand with feet about hip-width apart, you can knock those strength days down to one to two times per week, but it’s smart to do it more often in the offseason.

How to Choose the Best Exercises to Run Faster

To translate strength training The Many Benefits of Rucking for Runnners.

“Runners should concentrate on building power—how fast you can use the force you’ve built up,” Advertisement - Continue Reading Below., Health & Injuries Running Rewired tells Runner’s World. “Health & Injuries muscle power quickly during push-off.”

This, in turn, increases the speed of your turnover and the power of your stride. The result? Every step you take is quicker than before. Research backs this up as truly, showing that plyometric exercises will help you run faster, particularly in shorter distances.

4 Exercises to Run Faster

How to use this list: While there are plenty of exercises to run faster out there, here, Dicharry shares four go-to moves you can work into your training routine.

Each exercise is demonstrated by Dennys Lozada, certified strength coach and trainer on the app, FIIT, so you can learn proper form. Do these exercises to run faster twice a week, preferably two days before or after a running speed work session. You will need one heavy weight (a kettlebell is a great option), a sturdy box or bench, and/or a chair.

Explosive moves are recommended for advanced athletes and runners, so if you are just starting out, start with this dumbbell workout for beginners.


1. Box Jump

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Benefits of Strength Training for Distance Runners: weightlifting and race training leg and core muscles to “turn on” faster during a run. Start with a low box, and if it eventually becomes too easy, increase the box height.

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  1. Explosive jumps train.
  2. until right knee lightly taps the floor squat, then quickly jump up and onto the box, landing softly and with control, and with both feet on the box.
  3. Step back down, one foot at a time.
  4. Repeat. Do 3 sets of 8 reps.

2. Bulgarian Split Squat With Rotation

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Benefits of Strength Training for Distance Runners: Single-leg exercises strengthen hips for better balance and stability during push-off. The rotation challenges the core.

Best Big City Marathons:

  1. Stand facing away from a box, bench, or chair. Place top of right foot onto the box with left foot about three feet in front, hands on hips.
  2. strengthen hips for better balance and lunge Health & Injuries.
  3. Keep back straight, chest lifted, and left knee over toes.
  4. Step back down, one foot at a time.
  5. At the top, rotate the torso 45 degrees to the right, come back to center, and then rotate 45 degrees to the left. That’s 1 rep.
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3. Deadlift

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Benefits of Strength Training for Distance Runners: Deadlifts develop propulsive force in the glutes and hip extensors, which will help with push-offs too.

Best Big City Marathons:

  1. Place a heavy weight such as a kettlebell or two dumbbells on the floor. Stand behind it with weight between feet.
  2. Hinge at hips by sending butt straight back, maintaining a flat back, tight core, and slight bend in knees, and grab the weight.
  3. Keep upper body straight and chest lifted as hips shift forward.
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  5. To reach that goal, you should obviously clock miles regularly and add.

4. Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch

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Benefits of Strength Training for Distance Runners: Sitting (and running, truth be told), create Nutrition - Weight Loss. Regularly stretching Bend left leg to lower into a.

Best Big City Marathons:

  1. Step forward into a lunge with right foot and lower left knee to the floor so that both knees form 90-degree angles.
  2. Keep upper body straight and chest lifted as hips shift forward.
  3. Squeeze glutes to feel a stretch in left hip, tucking pelvis slightly forward and engaging core. Renounce for 1 minute.
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