While traditional weightlifting exercises such as deadlifts and weighted squats all help to develop a strong core, there are a number of exercises that require no weights that equally match up, including the humble plank.

Through a variety of plank exercises performed regularly, you will engage and strengthen your glutes, hips, abdominal muscles, internal and external obliques, pelvic floor, and lower back muscles.

To fully benefit and strengthen the aforementioned muscles its important that you focus on performing each plank exercise with good technique and form.

Six plank variations are outlined below and to perform them effectively and safely follow these best practices.

• When performing a plank ensure your quad muscles and gluten are active to stabilise your lower half.
• Squeeze your abdominal muscles to help prevent your lower back from dropping.
• Unless the specific plank variation states otherwise, position your feet hip-width apart.
• Planks can be performed before or after a run, or built into specifics strength and conditioning workout.
• If you are new to planks, initially aim to hold the standard plank for 30 to 40 seconds then gradually extend the time.
• For other plank variations count 15 to 20 repetitions as one set and aim for three sets.

Once you become more experienced with the different variations try combining them all into one 15 minute circuit spending one minute at a time on each exercise. Aim to compete with no recovery between exercises, but taking a short rest when needed.

Standard Plank

Lie facedown with your legs extended and your forearms on the floor. Your elbows should be bent and in line with your shoulders.

Engage your abdominal muscles, lifting your hips to maintain a straight line from head to feet.

Side Plank Thread Through

Begin by lying on your side with your legs together, before pushing up on your elbow and forearm.

Lift your hips until your keeping a straight line from head to feet, then lift your arm towards the ceiling. Once in this position, lower your arm, threading it through the gap between your side and the floor, twisting your upper body in the movement. Hold for three seconds, then return to the original position.

Spiderman Plank
From a standard plank, pull one knee toward your elbow without altering the position of your upper torso, hold for a second and then push your foot back to the starting position.

Repeat the exercise with your other knee and try to avoid your foot touching the floor the floor.

Up and Down Plank

Beginning in standard plank position, and push up against the floor so both arms are extended straight. Try to keep your elbows slightly bent to avoid locking your arms.

Return to a standard plank position slowly by lowering yourself down one to one forearm at a time.

Plank with leg raise
From a standard plank position with your forearms on the floor, begin by slowly raising one leg off the floor and hold for two-three seconds before returning to standard plank position.

Now perform the same steps with your other leg, again holding for two-three seconds.

Two point plank
Begin in standard plank position, and simultaneously lift and extend one arm and the opposite leg without allowing the body to rotate.

Engage your abdominal muscles throughout this exercise and aim to maintain alinement with your back, shoulders and the floor.

The post 6 Plank Exercises for a Stronger Running Core appeared first on Fast Running.

With distance running, core muscles become very important in the later stages of a race when fatigue sets in and form can be more difficult to maintain. The stronger the core is, the longer you can maintain your running form.

Core muscles include the postural muscles, which includes the muscles of the back, stomach, and hips. These muscles help you stand upright, transfer energy, and distribute the stress of bearing weight on two legs.

There are lots of core exercises out there, but some are more beneficial for runners than others. By adding the four core exercises for runners outlined below to your training, you will improve core muscular strength, resulting in improved running performance and reducing the risk of injury.

1. Supine March

The supine march is an excellent way to train the abdominal bracing mechanism to work during movement of the hips—something we all need to do well in order to walk and run efficiently.

2. The Superman Pose

Strengthens lower back muscles needed to keep pelvis stable while running which promotes better posture and a strong core.

3. Standing Trunk Rotation with Cable

Excessive rotation of the hips and pelvis is one the biggest energy wasters in running. The Standing Rotation with Cable isolates and intensifies this particular challenge.

4. Suitcase Deadlift

The suitcase deadlift simulates the demands placed upon the obliques and low back during running, thereby making it an excellent strength exercise for runners.

The post 4 core exercises for stronger runners appeared first on Fast Running.