Running is a great way of getting fit, getting out in the countryside and toning the body – and improving your mental wellbeing.
What muscles does running work?
In particular, running works your core muscles, hip flexors, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves.
How running works the core muscles
When you run you might think that it's your legs and cardio-respiratory system that are doing all the work, but your core is working pretty hard too. Your core muscles consist of the muscles of your torso, from the pelvis to the shoulder, and include the abdominal, lower back, buttock, pelvis and hip muscles.
These core muscles not only work to keep your body aligned and posture strong while you run, but also get a great workout from the consistent spinal rotation that occurs when your arms and legs come forward with each stride. A strong core can make you a more efficient runner and help protect against injury.
How running works your legs
When we run we can definitely feel the effect on our leg muscles. In particular, it works our glutes, quads, hip flexors, hamstrings and calf muscles.
Your glute muscles propel you forwards, while your hip flexors flex the knee and leg. In turn, the quads extend your knee and are responsible for keeping your knees stable.
Your hamstrings run at the back of the thigh from the hips to the knees and are responsible for hip extension and knee flexion
It is often our calf muscles that hurt the most when we run and these muscles are used every time we push off, help raise the leg, and extend and flex the foot.
What muscles does running uphill work?
Running uphill is often painful as it saps more energy. In particular, it's the leg muscles – glutes, quads, hip flexors, hamstrings and calf muscles – that take the brunt of having to propel you up a slope.
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So next time you go for a run you can pay attention to the specific muscles that are getting a workout - as well as your cardiovascular system - and know the discomfort will be all worth it.