Why runners need to add strength training

Why Runners Need To Add Weight Training To Their Fitness Regime

As a runner who has had her far share of injuries I felt the need to address the importance if adding in weight training to your running regimen.

Today, runners need to do more than just their run. They need to be athletic and strong. If they are not, they can easily get injured even if they practice good running form. Some injury statistics out the annual injury rate for runners as high as 66%. This is much higher than professional football.

However this rate can easily be decreased by one simple step- Adding Weight Training.  Running and weight training go hand in hand. Whether the goal is simply to run easier or to get faster in the next race, adding a few weight training sessions to the fitness regime can be very helpful for runners.

 Here are some of its benefits.

•  Drop In Hazardous Injuries: The best and easiest way known to the minds of mankind to strengthen and build the body is by weight raining. While doing so, the body will work not just the muscles, but ligaments, tissues and tendons that can help mitigate the chances of injuries. 

• Better Bone Density: Weight lifting also helps to alleviate the chances of acquiring fractures or osteoporosis in bones. While running is a good way to keep bone density high, weight training is the overall better option. This is because running breaks down the muscles in the body, while weight training is the way to build body tissues. 

• Muscles Burn More Calories: Weight training helps the body burn more calories. It improves the overall metabolic rate, making the body feel light. The body burns more fat during rest and activity, making it more efficient on the road.

•  Increases Endurance And Overall Performance: It helps the body of the runners, marathoners and sprinters better deal with the stress of running. It enables the muscles to perform better and for a longer period of time before getting tired, which in turn helps to maintain the proper running form. Turn weaknesses into strengths- add weight training to the fitness regime!