Running
How to implement targeted prehab exercises to address common weaknesses before they manifest as running related injuries.
Discover a proactive framework for identifying vulnerabilities in runners, then apply targeted, practical prehab routines that strengthen weak spots, restore balance, and reduce injury risk across training cycles.
Published by
Thomas Scott
July 29, 2025 - 3 min Read
Runners often assume pain is “just part of the sport,” but most injuries arise from predictable patterns of overuse and underprepared joints. Prehab reframes this risk into a proactive plan: assess, select, and perform exercises that address the specific weaknesses you carry from years of miles and form quirks. Start with a simple self-check: hips, ankles, and knees should move smoothly through full ranges with controlled tempo. If you notice asymmetry or stiffness, those are signals to target particular muscles or movement patterns. By incorporating a brief, consistent prehab routine into your warmup, you create resilience that translates into steadier weekly mileage and fewer days sidelined.
The core principle of targeted prehab is specificity. Rather than random stretches, you tailor drills to the weak links revealed by your movement patterns, gait, and history of niggles. Begin with a short, objective screen—observable asymmetries during single-leg squats, glute activation tests, or ankle dorsiflexion limitations. Then choose a small set of exercises that directly address those deficits. For example, if glute strength is lacking, you’ll prioritize hip thrusts and side-lying clamshell progressions. If ankle stiffness shows up, controlled ankle dorsiflexion drills beneath a resistance band become essential. Consistency over intensity ensures sustainable improvement and more reliable training blocks.
Move with a plan that grows stronger, not simply longer.
When designing a prehab sequence, organize movements by tissue stress and goal. Prioritize hip stability, ankle mobility, and core control, because these areas often govern running economy and knee alignment. A typical session might begin with a mobility ramp—gentle dynamic leg swings or ankle rocks—then move into stability work such as single-leg bridges or a crab-wuncher pattern. Finish with neuromuscular challenges: light plyometrics or balance drills that require precise alignment. The aim is to cultivate awareness and automatic correction. As you repeat this cycle week after week, your nervous system relearns efficient patterns, reducing the likelihood of overcompensation injuries and preserving training quality.
The second layer of prehab emphasizes progressive loading. Weak tissues respond best when exposed gradually to controlled stress, not aggressive overload. Start with low repetitions and light resistance, then advance only when you can maintain form and breath control. For example, progress from simple hip extensions to resisted band walks, ensuring your knee tracks over the middle toe. Track subtle changes in range of motion and pain-free performance rather than chasing bigger numbers. Logging creates accountability: you’ll notice improvements in squat depth, balance, and ankle stiffness within weeks. That incremental approach builds confidence and keeps you on track toward longer, more consistent running seasons.
Build symmetry and control through deliberate, measured work.
A practical prehab plan must integrate well with training load. If you’re in peak mileage or racing preparation, dial back the volume of prehab slightly to avoid competing fatigue. Conversely, lighter weeks are ideal for heavy emphasis on mobility and stabilization, letting your body adapt without excess stress. The structure should feature three pillars: mobility, stability, and neuromuscular control. Mobility unlocks range, stability anchors joints, and neuromuscular work refines reaction times during foot strike and knee flexion. Your sessions should feel therapeutic yet purposeful, with clear cues and measurable progress. Over time, these blocks become automatic, letting you focus more on speed, distance, and race strategy.
In practice, we often underestimate the value of hips in running efficiency. Tight or weak hip abductors lead to excessive knee tracking and wasted energy, while internal rotation faults can cause overpronation. Targeted exercises like side-lying leg raises, Cossack squats, and controlled monster walks with bands help reestablish muscular balance. Combine these with calf stretches and heel-elevated goblet squats to address ankle stiffness that slows propulsion. A well-rounded routine prevents common derailments such as IT band friction, patellofemoral pain, and shin splints by maintaining symmetrical loading. The key is to perform with slow tempo and precise alignment, not just more repetitions.
Pay attention to the feet, ankles, and lower legs as a team.
Core stability often underpins every stride. A modest but consistent core program reduces excessive trunk rotation and helps maintain upright posture during fatigue. Favor planks with shoulder taps, dead bugs, and anti-rotation presses, progressing to unstable surfaces as your control improves. The pacing should mirror your running cadence: smooth, deliberate, and continuous. Integrate diaphragmatic breathing to enhance spine stability and reduce tension in the neck and shoulders. When the core is reliably engaged, your pelvis remains close to neutral, the hips align, and power transfers more efficiently from ground to body. This cohesion translates into fewer compensations and longer, more comfortable runs.
Foot and ankle mechanics deserve explicit attention because the lowest joints influence everything above them. Develop a routine that promotes ankle dorsiflexion, arch support, and controlled landing mechanics. Exercises like towel scrunches, calf raises with tempo cues, and short-hopping drills teach the foot to absorb impact more effectively. A supportive but not restrictive footwear strategy can complement these efforts, along with gradual barefoot strengthening where appropriate. By paying attention to subtle changes—such as improved toe-off, steadier cadence, and reduced ankle stiffness—you’ll notice a smoother transition from midstance to propulsion. Small gains here compound across long runs and faster workouts.
Gentle reintroduction with careful monitoring ensures lasting success.
The knee is frequently the point of failure when the hips and ankles don’t share load appropriately. Prehab undercuts that risk by training knee stability through controlled patterns like terminal knee extensions, step-downs, and short-side planks with leg abduction. Focus on alignment cues: drive the knee in line with the second toe, keep the pelvis level, and prevent valgus collapse during landings. Such cues reinforce safer mechanics during fatigue, which typically undermines form. A consistent pattern of knee-friendly movements helps preserve cartilage health and tendon integrity. The payoff is a more resilient knee that supports higher mileage without the warning signs of overuse.
For runners recovering from minor injuries, prehab can serve as a bridge back to full load. The philosophy remains: restore function first, then volume. Begin with low-impact movements that restore range and control without provoking pain, such as pool-running or water aerobics. As tolerance improves, reintroduce light resistance and balance challenges, always prioritizing pain-free ranges and symmetrical loading. Establish a clear progression plan with benchmarks: range of motion, pain level, and single-leg strength parity. Communicate with your clinician or coach to tailor the sequence to your unique history. A thoughtful reintroduction reduces relapse and keeps you chasing your goals.
Shoulders and upper back often mirror the state of the lower body in runners who sit long hours. A tight thoracic spine and rounded shoulders reduce breathing efficiency and shift rib cage mechanics, indirectly affecting stride rhythm. Implement a routine that promotes thoracic mobility, scapular control, and posture awareness. Drills like seated thoracic rotations, wall slides, and prone Y's with deliberate scapular retraction can restore alignment. Pair these with rhythmic breathing drills to improve endurance under fatigue. Regular practice translates into more upright running form, less neck tension, and steadier arm swing. Small improvements here support overall efficiency, reducing fatigue and maintaining consistency across weeks.
The long-term benefit of targeted prehab is consistency. When runners adopt a sustainable routine—three to four concise sessions weekly, integrated with training—injury incidence tends to drop substantially. Track the evolution of two or three metrics: ankle dorsiflexion, hip abduction strength, and single-leg balance. Adjust the program whenever you hit a plateau or experience a new ache. The key is to stay curious and patient, recognizing that real progress often happens in micro-steps rather than dramatic leaps. With time, your body develops a readiness you can rely on, turning previously avoided routes into confident, enjoyable miles.
