Bro, got any interest in changing this? Of coz got risks, but it's not something that you cannot master....just takes time and patience. I lagi got risks, i got scolosis one (22 deg, possibly over 25 if they didnt measure properly hence going into moderate territory)
Dont even have to be 3 times a week, once to twice a week is fine.....from what i have experienced over the past 1 year, we/you'd need the recovery. 50% of story is you put in solid stimulus, then the other 50% you put in solid recovery ie something that you truly can recover from.
I also have seen many many runners doing things like double leg calf raises, endlessly most of the time. Lagi going thru motion nia. The general thinking is that "as runner no need much strength one, also to avoid bulk".
AI :
For runners, it is generally much better to perform
a few reps of near-maximal effort (heavy weight) rather than several hundred repetitions of low-weight, high-rep training.
High-rep, low-weight training is redundant because running already provides the muscular endurance stimulus. To improve running performance and injury resistance, the goal of strength training should be to increase power and neuromuscular efficiency, not endurance.
Here is the breakdown of why low reps are superior for runners, based on current scientific literature:
Why Low Reps (3-6) Beat High Reps for Runners
- Improves Running Economy: Heavy strength training (3-5 reps) increases the "stiffness" of the muscle-tendon complex, acting like a better spring, which reduces the energy cost of running.
- Increases Power Without Bulk: Low-rep, heavy training primarily induces neural adaptations—training your brain to recruit more muscle fibers (especially fast-twitch) and increasing force production—without causing significant hypertrophy (muscle growth) that could slow you down.
- Builds "Injury Resistance": Higher loads build stronger tendons and bones, which helps prevent common injuries such as shin splints, patellar tendonitis, and IT band syndrome, which are often caused by repetitive stress.
- More Time-Efficient: A few hard, heavy sets provide more "bang for your buck" in terms of strength gains compared to high-rep training.
The Recommended Strength Approach for Runners
- Rep Range: Focus on 3-6 reps per set for compound exercises.
- Intensity: Use a weight that is 80%–90% of your 1-repetition maximum (1RM), or a weight that feels difficult but allows for perfect form.
- Volume: 3-5 sets of 3-5 reps (for example) is generally recommended.
- Frequency: 2-3 sessions per week during the off-season, dropping to 1 session during peak racing season.
- Key Exercises: Squats, deadlifts, lunges, step-ups, and calf raises.