Posted by
Jeff W.
If your a runner who's in the market to increase in speed then add a little extra edge by adding some weight.
You've run hills, done intervals, tried some fartlek but you need more. What's left you ask - why not add some weight?
Get yourself a cheap back-pack and some zip lock bags from Walmart or K-mart or some other mart, then head over to the home center an pick up a fifty pound bag of all purpose sand( should run you around four bucks).
Fill your zip lock bags with sand and duct tape them closed, then put a couple of the bags in your back pack and strap it on. As you get used to the feeling of running with the extra baggage, you can throw in a few more zip-lock bags of sand, the great thing here is the fact that it's so easy to customize the amount of weight you want to carry.
Stick to grass and trails at the beginning until your knees get used to the extra weight, the last thing you need is a knee injury. Take it slow and increase as you feel comfortable, if the pack is too much to bear mid run, just slide it off and pick it up when you finish the remainder of your workout.
The sand filled back-pack is also great to add resistence to pull-ups, pushups, and "no weight" squats if you feel your not getting as much as you could out of these exercises.
As always, consult your physician before undertaking any new forms of exercise, and happy training!
For more info and articles you can visit me at www.bmfsports.com
Get Weighted Down to Pick Up Your Speed
Posted by Jeff W.
If your a runner who's in the market to increase in speed then add a little extra edge by adding some weight.
You've run hills, done intervals, tried some fartlek but you need more. What's left you ask - why not add some weight?
Get yourself a cheap back-pack and some zip lock bags from Walmart or K-mart or some other mart, then head over to the home center an pick up a fifty pound bag of all purpose sand( should run you around four bucks).
Fill your zip lock bags with sand and duct tape them closed, then put a couple of the bags in your back pack and strap it on. As you get used to the feeling of running with the extra baggage, you can throw in a few more zip-lock bags of sand, the great thing here is the fact that it's so easy to customize the amount of weight you want to carry.
Stick to grass and trails at the beginning until your knees get used to the extra weight, the last thing you need is a knee injury. Take it slow and increase as you feel comfortable, if the pack is too much to bear mid run, just slide it off and pick it up when you finish the remainder of your workout.
The sand filled back-pack is also great to add resistence to pull-ups, pushups, and "no weight" squats if you feel your not getting as much as you could out of these exercises.
As always, consult your physician before undertaking any new forms of exercise, and happy training!
For more info and articles you can visit me at www.bmfsports.com