If you want to reach your potential as a runner, the work doesn’t stop on the road. Racking up the mileage is a great way to improve your endurance, but elite athletes know that what you do on your ‘Off Days‘ is just as important — and that’s where cross training for runners is key. Every runner can benefit from a healthy mix of low-impact cardio and strength training.
We are what we are repeatedly do, therefore excellence is not an act but a habit.
Aristotle
Cross Training For Runners
The Gym Equipment Every Runner Should Use
If you want to improve your running, it’s not just miles on the road that need to be logged. Every elite athlete knows that cross-training and how you spend your ‘off’ days is key to Race Day performance.
Time to put that gym membership to good use! Here’s our pick of the best gym equipment for runners. Put in the work and watch your times tumble…
Gym Workouts and Routines For Runners
Nobody says you have to pay a pricy gym membership to become a great runner, but there’s no denying that gym work can go a long way to improving overall fitness. It’s a convenient way to log some low-impact cardio, or to develop the muscles that will drive you faster, for longer, on race day. We’ve got a variety of gym workouts for runners that will complement your existing training program:
Gym For Runners: The Best Gym Equipment That Every Runner Should Use
What Muscles Does A Rowing Machine Work?
Stairmaster vs Treadmill: Is A Step Machine Better for Cardio?
What Muscles Does The Stairmaster Work?
What Is A Smith Machine Good For?
Air vs Magnetic Rowing Machines: The Key Differences
16 Best Treadmill Workout Apps
Elliptical vs Treadmill: Which Is The Better Workout?
Cross Training Ideas To Improve Your Running
Runners who adopt a healthy active lifestyle can reap benefits that have a ‘flywheel’ effect on their ability to crush Personals Bests. From yoga and pilates, to weight lifting and playing sports… there are many ways you can prime your body to perform well at a high level. Below we take a look at some of our favorite cross-training activities. These are fun, healthy habits that work in tandem with your running routines.
“Typically the world’s best athletes are minimalists when it comes to their training. They work hard and fast with few exercises. They master the fundamentals and work with them for years. This is the secret that no one wants to hear.
— Greg Glassman, founder of Crossfit
This is your one-stop guide to Cross Training. This book will not only introduce you to this amazingly effective and often transformative sport, but it offers you 1,000 sample workouts to choose from. I will also show you how to design your on WOD's.
Cross Training FAQs For Runners
Design a Complete Training Plan to Boost Your Performance
Cross training is a great way to power up your training plan, but you still have to take care of the fundamentals. That means getting in shape, eating well, and looking after your body. These are the building blocks for every successful runner. See our resources below to make sure you are setting yourself up for success:
GET IN SHAPE TO TRAIN HARD
A base level of fitness is required before you can start trading in your Rest Days for Cross Training. Get there fast:
Nutrition for runners
There’s no point in running hard and hitting the gym hard if you’re going to fill your body with empty calories! Fuel well to run well.
injury AND Recovery
Feeling the aches and pains? Learning how to prevent injury and recover effectively is key to rapid progress: