What muscles should be be well trained in order to run faster?

Question

What muscles should be be well trained in order to run faster?

Can you tell me how to train them(excerises I can do at home)....

Answer 1

The only way to get faster in running is by doing the running itself.  You should try to work up to 5 days of running a week with two days being speed work (sprints, fartlek)

As far as muscles go, your largest muscles are the hamstrings behind your thigh, followed by your quadriceps in the front.  Your hips/glutes aren't as big but they are also very important to your stability and power.  Squats will work all of these groups.  You do not need weight either; try to do 100 air squats (squats with only your body weight) and you'll see how good of a workout they can be.

Towards the bottom of your legs you have your calf muscles.  I recommend jumping rope to work these.

Also, make sure you stretch your muscles after a workout.

Answer 2

You used alot of muscles when running - to help run  faster, do hill repeats and fartleks.  Cross training will help too.  Cycling can help with your cadence (faster leg turnover rate), yoga and rowing can help with your core - its important to have a strong core to support your hips and legs - helps prevent injuries.   Find a 1/2 mile hill and run up the hill, walk down (use as a cool down) and repeat 5X.  When your out running set your watch for 1 minute and run as fast as you can comfortably, repeat several times during your run.  Run with a club/faster runner, this will help you run faster too.

There is so much information out there, I could write a book,  but here is a link that can help you.

http://www.runnersworld.com/channel/0,71...

Answer 3

The legs are very important and abs also your arms. To train the legs do squads with something a little heavy, to train your abs just do situps and for your arms do push ups as many as you can.

Answer 4

The main way to get better at running is to do actual running workouts...

Some side activites that would go hand in hand with running would be swimming...works every muscle, helps with fatiuge and lung capacity...