Whether you’re a competitive or recreational runner, strength training should be a part of your workout routine. You might think that in order to be a better runner you need to practice just that – running. Be that as it may, in order to be a better runner, there are some important prerequisites. The mechanics of running require a lot of coordination. Not only do you need strong muscles to create force and power, but strong connections for efficiency and injury prevention.

In the functional training world, there are 7 primal movement patterns – push, pull, squat, hinge, lunge, rotation, and gait. If we’re focusing on running obviously gait is going to be a pattern of focus. However, in all reality if all of the movement patterns have a solid foundation, gait is also set up for success. Something not to be underestimated is the power of the core throughout all of these movement patterns. Old school training tends to isolate the core even though that is the exact opposite of its purpose – integration! The core is more than just the 6-pack muscles, but instead everything between collarbones and the tailbone.

With this in mind we can see how it’s the connector between our lower and upper limbs which is important for running! If we have an improper core connection, we now have inefficient movement. We run the risk of getting hurt as the body tries to compensate for the lack of core stability. You might be thinking to yourself, it sounds like I have to do some core workouts, and you’re on to something! But, you have to reimagine what “core workouts” look like. It’s more than just going through the movement motions, but being intentional in the movement motions!