Alice here from forRunners, excited to delve into a topic that can make a real difference in your running journey; Core Strength.
As a Physiotherapist and Runner, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power that core strength can add to a runner's training. It's not just an exercise, but a vital component for runners aiming to enhance their resilience, efficiency, and injury prevention strategies. You'll hear the phrase "short, sharp and spicy" thrown into forRunners Pilates classes and that's because they are just that; efficient, effective and challenging sessions that you can fit easily into your training program.
The Importance of Core Strength for Runners
Strengthening your core goes beyond achieving a six-pack; it's about functional strength, posture, and form. A strong core stabilises your trunk, allowing your pelvis, hips, and lower back to harmoniously work together. This synergy helps to preserve energy and improve running efficiency, making core strength exercises an essential tool for performance and injury prevention.
Defining the Core
Let’s just clarify one thing first. When talking about the core, we’re not just referring to your “abs” or your “six pack” muscles. Our core encompasses so much more, including deeper abdominal muscles (pelvic floor & transversus abdominis), stabilisers throughout the back (multifidus) and our obliques, which run along the side of our trunk. Essentially, your core is like a corset, supporting your body the entire way around. These muscles are crucial for maintaining upright posture, stabilising joints, and facilitating healthy movement.
Core Training: A Comprehensive Approach
As we've learnt, our core muscles aren't only located at the front of the body. Therefore it wouldn't make sense to only focus on exercises that target this area, such as sit ups. An effective core strength routine for runners should include a 360 degree approach by targeting the deep abdominals, obliques and back. At forRunners, we aim to include a 3D approach to improve movement patterns in all directions so you can expect lots of variations on the mat to keep you functional on the track.
Benefits of Core Strength Training
Integrating forRunners core strength exercises into your routine offers a number of benefits, including:
- Enhanced running performance through improved posture and stability.
- Reduced risk of common running-related injuries.
- Quick and efficient sessions that can be done anywhere, requiring minimal equipment.
- A fun and challenging way to tackle your training, alone or with your mates.
Making Core Training Accessible
Emphasising the need for balance, core training should be an easy and enjoyable addition to a runner's regimen. For those seeking guidance, the forRunners app offers a comprehensive solution, targeting all key areas of core strength to prime runners for peak performance.
Jump on a FREE 7 Day Trial today to find out more!
Alice Baquie
Founder of forRunners.app, Physiotherapist & Pilates Instructor
About Alice Baquie
Alice has been a physio for fourteen years and specialises in injury prevention and management for runners. Alice has represented Australia in distance running and gymnastics so has sound knowledge of athletic performance and understands the importance of strength conditioning and mobility to help keep the body moving effectively to mitigate injuries.
Alice, otherwise known to her wonderful pilates community as AB is a fun loving inclusive person always ready to chat and have a laugh and has hosted 1000’s of online classes which attract people from all around the world, including 25 Aussie Olympians.