Why is Glute, Hamstring and Core Strength important?

Recreational runners have a stride rate of about 80 to 85 strides per minute, so during a 60-minute run, you’ll take between 4,800 and 5,100 strides.


 Without strong core and leg muscles, you significantly increase your chance of injury.

If your glutes aren’t firing correctly, your body will use different muscles, such as your hip flexors, to take on some of the work. If your hamstrings are tight or weak, it will put pressure on your lower back. All of which can lead to different overuse or chronic injuries.

Weakness in your core, glutes and hamstrings force your body to overuse your front thighs, inner thighs and hip flexors. This puts a strain on your lower back, pelvis, hips and knees.

 In most people, this won’t cause immediate pain, but you’ll gradually develop pain somewhere in your body.

The pain or injury you experience is in most cases the result of weakness in your core, glutes, hamstrings or all three.

Thus, if you find you’re always running with some niggling aches and pains, strengthen these important areas of your body and you should see an improvement in your running.

If you weren't had last Thursday surprise session, please ask Colleen for a handout from the session which lists great maintenance exercises to strengthen hip and knees