If you want to be a better runner, be a mountain climber. The ‘mountain climber’ is a common element of many strength and conditioning workouts reasons why you should be deadlifting, core and hip flexors. It’s great cardio as you move fast, but even doing them more slowly will help your coordination, balance and stability. It’s the combination of keeping your upper body stable while moving your lower half quickly that engages so many different muscle groups.
‘They can be used to hit different targets according to what the athlete needs,’ explains Graeme Woodward, a UK Athletics Level 3 performance coach, UKSCA accredited S&C coach and We Run coach for West Yorkshire.
‘Like the plank, mountain climbers require strength in the upper body but more dynamically in stabilisation as the legs move fast. The muscles used most are the hip flexors and lower abs, How to do bicycle crunches correctly.
‘If done fast, this exercise can contribute to a workout and will train explosive power and coordination. But, if done slowly and with control, mountain climbers can be an effective way of developing range of motion.’
Runners with lower back issues should, however, be careful when doing this exercise. ‘The hip flexors originate from the lumbar spine and pelvis, so, if these tighten through use, this exercise can make symptoms worse,’ says Woodward.
How to do mountain climbers correctly
week strength training plan for runners:
- the start position, bring your left knee in.
- reasons why you should be deadlifting
the start position, bring your left knee in. - Continue, alternating legs.
