muscles during running

Running is a total leg workout however it primarily works the quads and glutes. Runners usually have weaker hamstrings so hamstring pulls/strains are common. If you are a serious runner make sure you strength train your hams to balance out the strength of your quads.
 
err.. what about the calves? dont they work alot when running? i know its the calves i get tiered in first when i run.
 
I think it depends how much you push off with your calves, too, but yes, they get a good workout. But along with hams, you should do exercises to strengthen your shins and protect them from injury. Otherwise, you will end up with a stress fracture like me! You can easily do this by leaning against a wall (feet 1 foot from wall, shoulders leaning against it) and flexing your feet up towards your shins. Also focus on running heel to toe.

To strengthen hams other than standard machines, squats, walking lunges, etc., I use the stair-stepper to kick my leg up and back (toe facing floor) to build upper and mid hamstrings. I'll also take time in my interval workouts to do "exaggerated" running styles, like trying to kick my butt and running with really high knees in front. This will help with the balance.
 
your calves do get a lot of work, but if you're looking to boost muscle mass in that area in particular you should do something like stair master or an eliptical trainer...the great thing about running is that it pretty much works everything.
 
Calves get a very good workout from running. I have a friend that joined the track team. After about a month his calves were hard as a rock.
 
I'm not really looking to boost muscle mass in my calves. I run everyday about 30 minutes as cardio on the TM, and wanted to know what muscles get worked on. Should I still do strength training in my legs as well?
 
Kea said:
I'm not really looking to boost muscle mass in my calves. I run everyday about 30 minutes as cardio on the TM, and wanted to know what muscles get worked on. Should I still do strength training in my legs as well?
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In my opinion Kea, yes I believe you should still strength train your legs
 
I agree...speaking from someone with knee problems...as mentioned earlier in the thread, my knees are somewhat bad because I never strengthened my inner thigh and hamstring muscles...so I'd definitely recommend leg weight training on your off running days.
 
I always focus on heel to toe running, as it seems to make less noise on the TM. :)
 
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