You don't want to schedule heavy upper-body workouts on days when you plan to do a long run, however. Ideally, if you're serious about your sport you may want to consider hiring someone with a sports certification (e.g. CSCS, certified strength and conditioning specialist) to help you design a "periodization program." This type of program targets specific goals (e.g. strength, endurance, power, etc.) throughout the year. When planned correctly, you'll be in your best form in time for a particular event, such as a marathon.
In general, resistance training once or twice a week works well in season, when you're running the most. Off season, bump it up to three to four times a week. Go for 12 to 20 reps per set, two to three sets per workout.
Assume a kneeling push-up position in front of a fitness ball; place your hands on the ball a little wider than shoulder-width. Tighten your core muscles by pulling in your belly button; keep your back straight. Maintaining good posture, slowly lower your body toward the ball until your chest almost touches the ball. Do not let your abdominals sag. Repeat 10 to 15 slow and controlled repetitions.
Attach rubber tubing to a door hinge or secure it around a stationary object. Sit tall on the edge of a bench or on a stability ball. With arms extended in front of the chest, pull the handles of the tubing towards you, palms facing towards your body; squeeze your shoulder blades together without shrugging your shoulders up, pause and slowly return arms to starting position while keeping tension in your arm and back muscles. Repeat for 10 to 15 repetitions.
Sit tall on a stability ball; tighten your abdominals to engage the core muscles. Hold dumbbells with your arms straight, palms facing in. Lift your arms out laterally to approximately shoulder height. Pause and slowly return to starting position. Do not allow your body to rock or lean during the exercise. This exercise may also be done standing. Repeat 10 to 15 repetitions.
Sit tall on a stability ball; tighten your abdominals to engage the core muscles. Hold a medicine ball or dumbbell behind your head with both hands, elbows pointed towards the ceiling. Maintaining a neutral spine, lower and raise the weight by bending and then straightening your arms. Do not pull your elbows forward; they should stay over your shoulders. Repeat 10 to 15 repetitions.
Stand tall holding dumbbells with your palms facing out, shoulder-width apart (hands should be just outside each hip). Keep your knees slightly bent, abdominals contracted. Bend your elbows and curl dumbbells up toward your shoulders without bringing your elbows forward; slowly lower the dumbbells to starting position. Repeat 10 to 15 repetitions.
And you'll see personalized content just for you whenever you click the My Feed .
SheKnows is making some changes!