Why Runners Should Lift Weights

Sep 1

Maximize Your Running Potential with Strength Training

As a runner, your priority is—well—running. It’s what you love, and we completely share that passion. But what if there was a way to not only improve your performance but also ensure you can keep running for years to come?

Think of your body as a vehicle. Wouldn’t you want to increase its horsepower and make its frame more resilient to wear and tear? That’s exactly what strength training does for runners. Incorporating resistance training into your routine can help you become a stronger, more injury-resistant, and more efficient runner.

The Benefits of Strength Training for Runners

1. Reduce Your Risk of Injury

Strengthens tendons, bones, and connective tissues
Builds overall tissue tolerance, making you harder to injure
Running alone doesn’t significantly increase tissue robustness, but strength training does

2. Improve Your Running Performance

Enhances running economy (more efficiency, less effort)
Increases force production, making you more powerful
Helps you run faster and tackle hills with greater ease
Reduces fatigue, so you feel stronger throughout your runs

The Bottom Line

Strength training helps you run faster, more effortlessly, and for longer by reducing injury risk and improving performance. It’s a game-changer for any runner looking to stay on the road (or trail) injury-free.

The Two Biggest Hurdles (and How We Solve Them)

By now, most runners understand the benefits of strength training. The real challenge? Getting started. We commonly hear two concerns:

1. "I Don’t Know What Exercises to Do"

Strength training can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. The good news? You don’t need a complex or intimidating routine. A simple, well-structured program tailored for runners is all you need.

2. "I Don’t Have Time for Long Workouts"

Many runners worry that adding strength training will take too much time. But here’s the truth: just two sessions per week can make a massive difference.