Top 3 Core Exercises For Runners
Top 3 Core Exercises For Runners
Many runners with good intentions of adding “a core routine” to their training, run afoul when they start adding in traditional core exercises like crunches, Russian twists and flutter kicks. This old-school approach to core training is not only ineffective but, also potentially damaging to the spine. Rather than programming exercises that simply produce “a burn” in the abdominals we should be aiming to practice drills that most closely reflect the demands of our sport. For this reason I am a big fan of ½ kneeling and split stance, anti-rotation/anti-extension drills for runners.
The ½ kneeling and split stance positions challenge the athlete to stabilize the hip and spine in the frontal, sagittal and transverse planes.
Focusing on ANTI progressions like chop/lift, anti-rotation press and push-pull stress the core stabilizers to maintain alignment much like the as the forces of running do.
If you have clients who run try adding these progressions into their program. Once the show mastery in the ½ kneeling position, challenge them by progressing upwards to split stance.