Plyometrics for Performance

Many traditional running programs incorporate drills, strides, and hill sprints to increase turnover, speed, and muscular strength.  Plyometrics are another useful tool that runners can incorporate to target key muscles, while also taking a break from the repetitive motions of running that can lead to overuse injuries.

An easy way to start is with box jumps. Stand next to a box that's about half the height from your foot to your knee. Begin conservatively by jumping for 3-5 sets of ten. After jumping to the top on both legs, gently step back to the starting position. That's one.











When beginning Plyometrics, it's smarter to err on the side of caution. This is a new, high intensity activity for your body that may hit under developed muscles.  It's critical to be cautious to avoid injury. If we can do that, we can use this as another tool that will translate to faster times on the road and track.

Dumbbell Side Bend

This week's exercise is a side bend, which will strengthen your external obliques, along with your rectus abdominis. A staple in any runner's core routine. Here's how to properly execute it:


1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in one hand with the arm extended downward. The other hand can rest on your hips.

2. Bend at the waist in the direction of the hand holding the dumbbell, allowing the weight to pull the side down gradually. 

3. Complete a set of 12 reps and then switch the dumbbell to the other hand and repeat.

Balancing the abdominal muscles is the goal of this exercise. The side-to-side movement helps develop the external oblique. Strengthening the external obliques helps minimize the side-to-side rocking at the end of a race (or speed workout). This exercise will also help maintain erect posture.

Knee Exercises – Preventative & Strengthening

By: Jessica Byrnes

As runners, our Type A personalities and competitive nature tells us that running more means more fitness gains. Often times, it isn’t until we feel a tweak or twinge that we start to look beyond running and search for the cause of a new or lingering injury that is holding us back from our potential.

Don’t wait until injury has already set in – by adding these strength exercises for runners, many common overuse injuries can be prevented and these simple, no-equipment-needed exercises will only take a few minutes of your day!

1.   Bodyweight Squats

This exercise is a great glute strengthener and gets your hips activated. Start in standing position with your arms outstretched. Lower your body to a seated position while keeping your back straight, chin and head looking forward.

2.   Single-Leg Squat Touchdown

One of my favorites that includes knee and core strengthening – a lot more challenging than it looks!

Start by balancing on your right leg with your knees slightly bent and your left arm raised straight up. Slowly bend your right knee to lower your left arm towards your right foot. Push through your heel and squeeze your glutes to return to starting position. Continue with this exercise for 10-15 reps on your right side and then switch legs.

3.   Core Work is extremely important!

Refer to previous blog posts (yoga, planks, and dynamic warm-up exercises, and single-leg exercises to name a few) for some great core strength exercises that will help keep you injury-free!!

 

Plantarflexion with tubing

This exercise promotes strength and flexibility of the foot and ankle to prevent injury when running on uneven terrain. Since it is not weight bearing, it can be performed daily. It can also function as a rehabilitative exercise to overcome an ankle sprain or mild achilles tendonitis.

1. Sit on the floor with legs fully extended in front of the body. A length of tubing, an end in each hand, should extend underneath the foot, wrapping around the ball of the foot. Make sure there is no slack. 

2. Extend the foot to full extension

3. At full extension, hold the position for one second before pulling the tubing backward in a smooth motion. The foot will be forced to dorsiflex and return to its initial position.

4. Repeat the push/pull of the exercise, adjusting tension though-out, until fatigue.