It’s no wonder runners and hikers avoid the weight room, since we typically think about weight training as big weights, veins popping, and muscles contracting violently. However, if we REFRAME weight training as the MANAGEMENT OF TENSION, we can start to wrap our heads around its usefulness. 

TENSION allows us to push ourselves forward, to absorb impact, and to spring off the ground.  In running and hiking, there is a cycle of tension. Running has a quicker cycle with shorter time on the ground, while hiking has a slower cycle with longer time spent on the ground. 

Tension in areas where it is not needed, however, can limit movement and if the TIMING of tension is off, we reduce efficiency through energy leaks. This can mean less speed and miles covered for more energy expended.  

Overall, our bodies need to learn how to BOTH GENERATE TENSION AND LET IT GO. 

Tension is a spectrum of magnitude, and it's always there just to keep us upright. However, if we store too much tension when...

Weight training is often seen as detrimental to running performance or unnecessary for hiking. However, I think most people just need to learn a different way to weight train.

We typically view weight training as barbells slamming on the ground, big weights, and veins popping out of biceps, oh my! That can be intimidating for anyone and possibly unnecessary for anyone outside of Crossfit, Bodybuilding, or Powerlifting.

We need to REFRAME weight training, as an avenue for more purposeful training, as an avenue to reconnect with how our bodies feel, as a way to intervene on aches and pains, as a way to move better, and as a way to build on our physical preparation.

Weight training can support improvements in,

• Gait Mechanics - allowing you to run and walk more effectively
• Joint Ranges of Motion - allowing you to reduce movement restrictions that may be causing aches and pains
• Running Economy - allowing you to spring off the ground more efficiently
• Climbing- allowing you to avoid
...

Check out the video above: In this video, Michelle explains why she made the decision to stop barbell deadlifting when she started taking running more seriously. Michelle discusses the negative outcomes of using barbells as a loading strategy for exercise selection and the importance of balancing force production with movement freedom in running. Michelle also highlight the need to prepare the body for the demands of running and counteract those demands to avoid stiffness and joint range mobility reduction. 

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