For an endurance athlete, two days a week of well designed strength work can be life changing. The key as a strength coach or personal trainer is to realize that the endurance athlete views strength training like going to the dentist: he does not look forward to it. Keep the program brief and simple. Think about we have called the “Joint by Joint Approach.” Create mobile ankles, hips and thoracic spine through proper mobility work in the pre workout warm up. Work to stabilize the knees and lumbar spine through a proper core and lower body program. Keep strength work specific. Work on single leg exercises primarily. Also, remember lower body lifting is key. Don’t fall into the “running is enough for my lower body” trap. This could not be further from the truth. I would rather see an endurance athlete neglect the upper body than the lower body. –Mike Boyle
