Fit To Run: HIP HIP (STRENGTH) HOORAY: 5 MINUTE HIP WORKOUT FOR RUNNERS

Welcome to the latest edition of Workout Wednesday. As you are reading this, I am traveling to Las Vegas for the annual IDEA World fitness convention and Blogfest with Fit Approach. I plan to have a lot of sweaty good times reconnecting with old friends, making new ones and learning about the latest in fitness and blogging while earning continuing education credits for my certifications. I'm sure I will learn a lot that I can share with you! 

If you've been following along, each Wednesday I have been unveiling a new component of my Fit to Run strength training for runners program. We are about to wrap up month two, but I decided to include a bonus hip strengthening workout for runners.

Have you missed any of the month two workouts?

Hills
MONTH 2 WORKOUT A
MONTH 2 WORKOUT B

Hip strength is important for runners to develop because when you run a lot of miles with weak or underdeveloped hips it can lead to all sorts of problems. Strengthening your hips will support your hips, IT band and knees. A few minutes focusing on strengthening these muscles will go a long way in staying healthy (aka not injured) and on the road. 

This workout is five minutes long, so even when you don't have time for one of the longer workouts in this series (all under 20 minutes) you can at least get in a hip strengthening workout after your run.

Your body will adapt in a few weeks so in order to keep improving you will need to advance the exercises. Start the exercises as suggested but as you get stronger, you can add additional reps or sets and/or add resistance bands to make the exercises more difficult in order to keep progressing.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link in this post and make a purchase, I make a small percentage of the sale with no additional cost to you. No one is getting rich here, it just helps with the costs associated with running (pun intended) this blog. Thanks, as always, for your kind support. 

HIP HIP (STRENGTH) HOORAY: 5 MINUTES HIP STRENGTHENING WORKOUT FOR RUNNERS

EQUIPMENT:

This workout can be done with no additional equipment. In this workout, I am using:

Gym Mat
Interval Timer 
Resistance bands

Download a printable version of this hip strength workout for runners

SIDE LEG RAISES

Lie on your side with your legs stacked on top of one another. Lift your top leg about 45 degrees before lowering. Perform the exercise for 20 seconds, rest 10 seconds, then repeat on the other side.

ADVANCED: SIDE PLANK LEG RAISES

You can advance the side leg raises exercise by performing the exercise in a straight arm side plank position. Stack your wrist, elbow and shoulder so they are in a straight line. Engage your core muscles and lift and lower the top leg for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, then repeat on the other side.

ADDUCTOR LEG RAISES

Lie on your left side, bend your right knee and place your right floor on floor in front of your left knee. This will get your right leg out of the way so you can perform the exercise. Lift your left leg up as high as possible and then lower. Repeat for 20 seconds, rest 10 seconds, then repeat on the other leg. To advance this exercise, hold the working leg in the high position for 20 seconds. 

CLAM SHELL

Lie on your side with your knees bent and your legs and ankles together. Open and close your knees like a clam by lifting your top knee up and lowering it. Repeat for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, then repeat on the other leg. Progress the exercise by adding a resistance band to your thighs.

DONKEY KICKS

Starting on all fours, kick your back leg up behind you while keeping your knee bent until your leg is inline with your back and your foot is parallel to the ceiling, then lower back to the ground. Repeat with the same leg for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, then repeat on the other leg. Progress the exercise by adding a resistance band.

BRIDGE MARCH

Lie on your back with your knees bent and lift your hips off the floor while engaging your glutes and abs (squeeze everything as tights as you can during the exercise). Your body should be in a straight line from your knees to your shoulders. Bring your right leg in towards your chest to march. Lower your right leg then march with your left leg all while keeping your core tight. Alternate legs for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, then alternate legs again for 20 seconds and rest for 10 seconds.

Ok runners, pinky swear you will try to work in at least five minutes of hip strengthening exercises after your next run. Let me know how it goes. 

Enter your information below to download a printable version of this workout. If you are already subscribed to the blog, entering your email address again to receive the download will not cause you to receive duplicate emails. Have questions? leagenders(at)gmail(dot)com

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Coach Lea

Fit To Run: Month 2 Strength for Runners Workout B

Welcome to the latest edition of workout Wednesday! Each week I've been unveiling a part of my strength for runners program. This program allows you to fit in quick and effective strength training workouts around your regular running routine. You don't have to spend hours in the gym, just carve out about 20 minutes after your easy-paced runs three times a week to become a faster, stronger, more well-rounded, less injury-prone runner. 

This week I am sharing the second strength workout in month two. At the end of the post you will be able to download a printable version of this workout and the instructions. If you like this workout, can I ask you to save it to Pinterest? 

FIT TO RUN: MONTH 2 STRENGTH WORKOUT (B)

EQUIPMENT:

Gym Mat

INSTRUCTIONS:

Perform the assigned reps of each exercise then move to the next exercise without rest. When you have completed all the exercises, rest for one minute (or as long as you need) and then repeat the circuit one or two more times. 

LOW TO HIGH PLANKS

Position your elbows on the floor and your shoulders directly over your elbows. Your body should be in a straight line parallel to the floor. Engage your core, pulling your belly button into your spine while breathing normally. Be careful not to sink or raise your hips in the air. Do not clasp your hands in front of you. 

Straighten your right arm, then your left to lift yourself up to a straight arm plank position. Then lower yourself back down to a forearm plank. That is one rep. Next rep start with with your left arm, then your right when lifting to a straight arm plank to reduce stress on your shoulders. Perform six reps before moving to the next exercise. 

PLANK JACKS

In a high plank position place your shoulders directly over your wrists. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your heels. Don't allow your hips to drop or raise up. Engage your abs and breathe normally. Start with your feet together then jump your legs wide out to the sides (like the motion of a standing jumping jack) and then back together. Perform 8 reps before moving on to the the next exercise

SINGLE LEG SQUAT WITH BENCH

While the single leg squat is an advanced move, there is a safe variation that almost anyone can perform. I like using a bench for the low position. Balance on one leg with your knee slightly bent and lower yourself as slowly and as controlled as possible until you are sitting on the bench. Work to keep your standing knee inline with your outside toe as you lower to the bench (don't allow it to collapse inward). Keeping the 2nd leg off the ground stand back up to the starting position. Repeat six reps on each leg before moving on to the next exercise.

REVERSE LUNGE

Stand tall with your hands at your sides (add dumbbells to progress the exercise). Take a large, controlled step backward with your left foot. Lower your hips so that your right thigh is parallel to the floor and your right knee is over your ankle. Complete the rep by pressing your right foot into the floor and bringing your left leg forward to return to standing. Alternate legs to complete 8 reps on each side. 

PUSH UP

Start in a high plank position with your hands placed a little wider than your shoulders and your fingers pointing forward. Keeping your body in a straight line while engaging your core bend your elbows slowly to lower your chest to the floor. Once in the low position, push back up to the starting position. If this is too challenging, drop to your knees or perform the reps with your hands on an inclined surface like a bench or counter.

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Fit To Run: Month 2 Strength for Runners Workout

Welcome to the latest edition of Workout Wednesday! Each week I've been unveiling a new component of my strength for runners program. So far I've released the first month of strength workouts and an interval cardio workout as well as a treadmill hill workout as part of month two. 

In the first month we did a time-based protocol. The idea is to keep moving and get your strength work done quickly and efficiently. This month we will start to incorporate weights and will count reps in a circuit fashion. 

These are intended to be quick workouts that you can tack on to the end of your easy run days (less than 30 minute runs at an easy pace). I would recommend this workout twice a week.

This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link in this post and make a purchase that I make a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. No one is getting rich here, it just helps with the running (pun intended) of this blog. 

FIT TO RUN: MONTH 2 STRENGTH WORKOUT (A)

EQUIPMENT:

8lb dumbbell
Gym Mat

INSTRUCTIONS:

Perform the assigned reps of each exercise then move to the next exercise without rest. When you have completed all the exercises, rest for one minute (or as long as you need) and then repeat the circuit one or two more times. 

PLANK ROW TO SIDE PLANK

Start in straight arm plank position with your wrists directly under your shoulders and your legs a little wider than hip width for stability. Keep your body in a straight line from your shoulders to ankles while engaging your core. Do not allow your hips to hike (get that butt out of the air) or sag down.

With your core tight and your glutes engaged lift your right elbow to row as you bend your elbow up toward the ceiling, keeping your arms close to your sides.

Twist to the right to move into a side plank position keeping your right leg in front of your left for stability. Reach your arm to the ceiling and hold for 3-5 seconds before returning to plank position. Repeat on other side.

SINGLE LEG LIFT & CHOP

Stand on your right leg and grip the weight on each end with two hands. Reach your arms straight up over your right shoulder and slightly twist your torso to the right. With straight arms, bring the weight across your body and down towards the outside of your left knee by rotating your torso and shoulders. Repeat on other side. 

MOUNTAIN CLIMBER

Start in a straight arm plank position with your wrists directly under your shoulders with your legs wider than hip width for stability. Keep your body in a straight line from your shoulders to ankles while engaging your core. Do not allow your hips to hike up or sag down. Quickly bring your right leg in to touch your elbow, then back to plank position. Repeat on other side. Right then left equals one rep. Move as quickly as possible while maintaining strict form. 

SINGLE LEG DEAD LIFT

Standing on one leg, keep your knee slightly bent and perform a deadlift by bending at your hip while keeping your back straight and neck neutral. Extend your free leg behind you in line with your body. Grip the weight on each side with two hands and lower until your back is parallel to the floor. With your back straight return to the upright position. Repeat on other side

BRIDGE WITH WEIGHTED PULL OVER

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Keeping your elbows in a slightly bent position, draw the weight backward until it touches the floor.

Reach your arms over your head towards the ceiling while raising your hips off the floor so that your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Pause at the top then slowly lower your hips and arms back to the floor.

Stay tuned for the next strength workout in this series.

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Coach Lea

Fit to Run: Run for the Hills

Welcome to the latest edition of Workout Wednesday, when each week I share a new running or strength training workout. This week we are doing hills! Every runner's favorite workout is a hill workout, right? (Crickets). OK, so maybe they are not the favorite, but I assure you hill repeats are some of the most effective interval workouts for runners looking to improve running strength and increase speed. What's not to love about that?

I put together this hill workout that you can try on a treadmill. It is only 19 minutes long, but you'll get in a great workout during a short period of time. 

THE WORKOUT

Always warm-up before beginning any workout. 

Start by running for two minutes at 0% incline
Increase the incline to 2% and run for one minute at a hard effort (RPE 7-8)
Recover by jogging at an easy pace for one minute at 0% incline
Increase the incline to 4% and run for one minute at a hard effort
Recover by jogging at an easy pace for one minute at 0% incline
Increase the incline to 6% and run for one minute at a hard effort
Recover by jogging at an easy pace for one minute at 0% incline
Increase the incline to 8% and run for one minute at a hard effort
Recover by jogging at an easy pace for one minute at 0% incline
Decrease the incline back down to 8%, 6%, 4%, 2% with one-minute easy jog recovery between reps at 0% incline.
Cool down for two to five minutes

WORD TO THE WISE

This is a short but challenging workout. Allow your body adequate time after this workout to properly recover. Most athletes will need two to five rest and/or recovery days between hard workouts. You can do easy runs or lower impact activities during this time. Adaptation (getting faster and stronger) happens during rest, not during the actual workout. Be sure to allow your body the proper time for recovery from intense workouts in order to reap the benefits of your hard work. 

Never blindly follow a workout on the internet. Listen to your body. If you need more recovery time between reps, then take two minutes (or three). If an 8% incline is too hard, then only go to 6% or 4% and work to increase it in the future as you get stronger and fitter. If one-minute intervals are too much, start at 30 seconds. Always work according to your own fitness ability. Pushing beyond your limits will only lead to frustration, burnout, and injury. Start small when necessary and allow yourself the space to grow. Need help? Have questions? I'd love to help. 

Interested in hill workouts that you can try outdoors? I wrote a post last year about running hills that you may find helpful.

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Coach Lea

FIT TO RUN: MONTH ONE WORKOUTS, PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Hi, friends! Welcome to the latest edition of workout Wednesday! If you've been following along, each week I have been unveiling my strength for runners program, a little bit at a time. 

Introduction
Goal Setting
Nutrition 101 for athletes (yes, that means you)
Rest and recovery
Fit to Run: Easy Run + Strength Training A
Fit to Run: Interval Run
Fit to Run: Easy Run + Strength Training B

MONTH ONE

The first month is an introduction to the program. If you have been running regularly but just beginning to incorporate strength training into your program, this is the perfect place to start. 

There are two rest days each week, four easy runs (30 minutes or less) + four 20 minute strength sessions and one interval run. You can learn more about each component of the program by clicking on the links above or downloading the PDF calendar and printable workouts below. The words on the PDF calendar have clickable links (once you download) that will also take you to the blog post that describes the workouts in more details. 

If you already subscribed to the blog then entering your email below will not cause you to receive duplicate emails. If you would rather just email me and I can send you the PDF, you can send the request to leagenders(at)gmail(dot)com. 

Stay tuned for month two of the program. We will progress to a different format of strength training, will start incorporating weights as we get stronger and introduce some new running workouts. If you have tried the month one workouts and would like to provide some feedback, I'd love to hear it. 

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Stay strong runners!

Coach Lea