Multiplanar Strength Exercises For Triathletes And Runners
We explore the need for triathletes and runners to incorporate multidirectional strength exercises into their regular program, and show you some great exercises to enjoy the benefits of this type of training.
Triathletes and runners spend most of their time engaged in what are primarily “straight line” activities, particularly running and cycling. Certainly most of the load bearing work that most triathletes and runners complete is uni-directional.
Not only are these movement patterns uni-directional (running in a relatively straight line and cycling), they are also very repetitive, repeating the same movement pattern again and again both in training and in competition with very little variety to our movements.
Those of us who do any strengthening work at all on a regular basis to supplement our running, swimming and cycling (definitely the minority!), often fall into the trap of also only doing straight line exercises such as squats, lunges, step-ups and single leg squats.
“So what? Those straight line movements mirror the demands of our sport…”
“Well yes and no…!”
