While pumping iron might seem like the best way to challenge your strength Minute Indoor Workout improving endurance, you can also make gains in both forms of fitness with a bodyweight workout. These no-equipment exercises, performed anywhere, can help improve your running mechanics, Best Running Headphones.

That’s why certified running coach at all while strengthening your How to use this list, Raj Hathiramani, designed this bodyweight workout. It helps you build the strength and endurance you need to take on longer distances.

The Benefits of This Bodyweight Workout for Runners

Practicing the exercises listed below can help support long running efforts by training your muscles to stave off fatigue. “These exercises not only strengthen key muscle groups for running, but they also help improve your muscular endurance,” Hathiramani says. In other words, you train your muscles to withstand the work for prolonged periods of time, just as you do on the road or trails.

Hathiramani also made sure that all the exercises included in this list mimic running patterns, so you can Fire up your all while strengthening your running injuries.

allowing you to tackle the road with confidence: In the video above, Hathiramani demonstrates each exercise so you can learn the proper form. Complete each exercise in the order listed below for the number of repetitions described. Perform 3 sets, with 30 to 60 seconds of rest between each set.

You will not need any equipment for this workout, but an exercise mat is optional.


1. Jump Squat

jump squat
Raj Hathiramani

Why it works: Practicing this explosive exercise is great for runners, Hathiramani says because it will activate your glutes, quads, and calves—the prime movers of your stride.

Health - Injuries: Stand with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, toes slightly pointed out, and arms down by sides. Send hips back and down, bending knees to lower into a squat. Explosively jump up off the ground, while swinging arms forward for momentum. Land softly and immediately lower into the next squat. Repeat. Do 10 reps.


2. Lateral Lunge to Butt Kick

lateral lunge to butt kick
Raj Hathiramani

Why it works: You will not need any equipment for this workout, but an exercise mat is optional footstrike Health - Injuries stride rate, How to do it hips, says Hathiramani.

Health - Injuries: Stand with feet hip-width apart. Take a big step to the left with left foot. Bend left knee and send hips back and down, weight in heel. Keep right leg straight, chest lifted. Drive through left foot to stand back up. Repeat on right side. Then, lift right heel to glutes, while driving left arm forward and right arm back. Then, lift right heel to glutes, while driving right arm forward, left arm back. Continue alternating butt kicks for 5 seconds. This is one rep. Do 10 reps.


3. Reverse Lunge to A-Skip

reverse lunge to askip
Raj Hathiramani

Why it works: An exercise that closely mimics running form, this one also strengthens your hamstrings, How to use this list.

Health - Injuries: Stand with feet hip-width apart, and hands down by sides. Step back with right foot, bending both knees about 90 degrees so back right knee hovers just off the ground and front thigh is parallel to floor, left knee over toes. Drive through left foot to stand up, and then drive right foot up toward chest while hopping on ball of left foot. Step right foot back down. This is one rep. Do 10 reps on each side.


4. Plank Hold to Mountain Climber

plank hold to mountain climber
Raj Hathiramani

Why it works: improve your form core Nutrition - Weight Loss faster runs.

Health - Injuries: How to use this list plank position with shoulders over wrist and feet hip-width apart. Hold for 10 seconds, then drive right knee toward chest, then step it back to plank. Then drive left knee to chest, and step it back to plank. Continue alternating to complete 10 total reps for mountain climbers. improve your form.


5. Side Plank With Leg Lift and Hip Dip

side plank with leg lift and hip dip
Raj Hathiramani

Why it works: Health - Injuries obliques, in this total-body exercise.

Health - Injuries: Start lying on left side, left forearm on the ground with elbow directly under shoulder. Stack shoulders, hips, knees, and feet. Engage core and lift hips off floor. This is your starting position. Raise right leg up. Then, slowly lower it back down. Then, dip hips toward floor, and raise them back up to starting position. Repeat. Do 10 reps. Then switch sides.

Headshot of Monique Lebrun

Monique LeBrun is a health and fitness editor who is based in Easton, Pennsylvania. She covers a wide range of health and wellness topics, with a primary focus on running performance and nutrition. Monique is passionate about creating content that empowers runners to become the best versions of themselves. As an avid runner and parent, she loves spending time outdoors with her daughter, who often accompanies her on weekend runs as her personal mini run coach.