Does working on upper body effects your running?

Question

i want to be stronger and faster but i run 6 times a week. i work on upper body but not a lot because i think it will effect my running by making me slower. i want to become stronger too but not like buffed up strong. i want my upper body looking in good shape. is there anything i could do?

Answer 1

It depends on what type of runner you are. If you take a look at sprinters you can see that the majority of them are ripped and very muscular. Now lets take a look at long distance runners, the majority of them are toned and not very bulky. Big muscles are for sprinters because they need all that power to run as fast as they do.

Weight training will actually help you out not hurt you. You will not become bulky from working out unless your eating tons and tons and spending hours in the gym everyday. I run for my high school and everybody on the track team lifts weights. More muscle will help you get through your workouts with less effort and they will help you maintain good form when you are running.

Don't be scared to lift weights.  

Answer 2

I run, and when my arms and upper body aren't in good shape my running suffers. Lifting weights moderately can help IMPROVE your running. You need your arms pumping strong to run well. Just like you need the stamina and endurance in your legs to keep them moving while you run. So work your upper body and just make sure it's in good shape. Remember to drink lots of water! be safe!

Answer 3

it will help, it will not make or break you but improvement will follow. Core strength is what is nescarry, try doing plank for 3 mins building to 5, then doing it on your side for 1-3 mins, it ups on a boso ball if not do them on the ground legs raised and bring them in. Upper body wise do some bench, some bicpe curls, triceps, and a little back work, all this does is make yur upper body more efficient thus your body will increase its VO2 max(ability to abosrb oxygen), i am 17, i run 50-60 miles a week, and me dropping my ten mile time from 57-55 mins was partly due to upper body work, i had the core but the weights made a difference, probs 30 secs, so i believe you could stand to loose a good 10 secs per mile if you work at it. Dont worry about it wont slow you down at all, plus chicks dig guys with a little bit of mass up there, if u need any more help, or even anbything about running email me at [e-mail]

Answer 4

no