Your training plan tells you how many miles to run. But what helps you keep showing up, through this marathon build and the next?
Strength training deserves a spot on that calendar, too. Whether you’re preparing for your first Austin Marathon or looking forward to another finish line, the goal isn’t to leave the gym exhausted. It’s to build strength that supports your running without taking over your week.
These four short gym workouts cover lower-body strength, single-leg control, calf strength, and core stability. Think of them as building blocks, not four extra training days.
A practical strength-training routine for marathon runners includes squats and hip hinges, single-leg exercises, calf raises, and core stability work. Start with manageable resistance and build toward two weekly sessions as recovery allows. Combine the four workout blocks below into those sessions rather than doing each on a separate day.
Here, “marathon longevity” means supporting a running habit you can sustain across training cycles. No workout can guarantee an injury-free season or a longer running career.
Running builds the endurance you need for 26.2 miles. Strength training gives your muscles a different challenge: producing and controlling force against resistance.
Research supports its role in running performance. A 2024 systematic review in Sports Medicine found that certain strength-training methods, including high-load training, can improve running economy. That means using less energy at a given running speed.
That doesn’t mean beginners should jump straight into heavy lifting. Technique, gradual progression, and a routine you can recover from come first.
For running injury prevention, treat strength work as one part of the picture, not a protective shield. Sensible training loads, adequate fueling, sleep, and attention to persistent pain still matter.
Focus: Quads, glutes, and hamstrings.
Squats and hip hinges train two foundational movement patterns. Together, they make a useful starting point for weight training for distance runners.
Goblet squat: 2 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions. Hold a dumbbell close to your chest, keep your whole foot planted, and lower into a comfortable squat. Let your knees move in line with your toes, then stand with control.
Dumbbell Romanian deadlift: 2 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions. With a slight bend in your knees, push your hips backward and keep the weights close to your legs. Stop when you feel tension through your hamstrings without rounding your back, then return to standing.
Rest about 90 to 120 seconds between sets, or longer if needed to maintain good technique.
Start easier: Use bodyweight squats to a bench and practice the hip hinge without weights. Choose resistance that leaves you feeling capable of another two or three controlled repetitions.
Focus: Quads, glutes, and balance.
Running repeatedly shifts your weight from one leg to the other. Single-leg exercises let you train each side individually without needing complicated movements or unstable equipment.
Low-box step-up: 2 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions per leg. Place your entire foot on a sturdy, low platform. Push through the working leg to stand, then lower slowly. Keep the step low enough that you can avoid jumping off the trailing foot.
Supported split squat: 2 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions per leg. Take a staggered stance and hold a rack or rail for balance. Bend both knees to lower through a comfortable range, then push through the front foot to rise.
Rest about 60 to 90 seconds between sets, taking extra time when needed.
Start easier: Use bodyweight and support. Add dumbbells only when you can maintain the same controlled movement on both sides. Using a hand for balance is smart, not cheating.
Focus: Calf strength through straight-knee and bent-knee positions.
Your calves work throughout every run, but running mileage isn’t the same as progressively loaded calf training. Include both positions to challenge the calf muscles in different ways.
Standing calf raise: 2 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions. Stand on level ground with your knees straight but not locked. Hold a support, lift your heels without rolling your ankles outward, and lower slowly. Avoid bouncing.
Seated calf raise: 2 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions. Sit with your knees bent roughly 90 degrees and your feet flat. Use a seated calf machine or securely hold padded dumbbells on your thighs, near your knees. Raise and lower your heels through a comfortable range.
Rest about 60 to 90 seconds between sets.
Start easier: Begin standing raises with both feet and no added weight. Progress gradually to additional resistance or supported single-leg raises. If you have Achilles or foot pain, get individualized guidance rather than forcing more range or load.
Focus: Trunk strength and control.
Core training doesn’t have to mean endless crunches. These exercises challenge you to maintain position while your limbs move or a weight pulls you to one side.
Dead bug: 2 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions per side. Lie on your back with your arms raised and your hips and knees bent. Slowly extend the opposite arm and leg without arching your lower back. Return and switch sides.
Suitcase carry: 2 sets of 20 to 30 seconds per side. Hold one dumbbell at your side and walk slowly. Keep your shoulders level, breathe normally, and resist leaning toward or away from the weight.
Rest about 45 to 60 seconds between sets.
Start easier: Shorten the dead bug’s reach or use a lighter carry weight. Finish the set when you can no longer maintain your position.
Start with two manageable sessions per week, adjusting for your experience and running load. If strength training is new, begin with one set per exercise and build up as your body adapts.
For one session, combine the squat-and-hinge workout with the core-and-carry workout. For the other, combine the single-leg workout with the calf workout. Allow roughly 25 to 40 minutes per session, including your warm-up and rest periods.
Before lifting, spend five to 10 minutes walking, cycling, or moving easily, then rehearse each exercise with little or no weight.
Protect your key runs. Avoid placing a new or demanding leg workout immediately before your long run or speed session. If you run and lift on the same day, prioritize the run when marathon training is the main goal, and separate the sessions by several hours when practical.
Increase resistance in small steps once you can complete every set with control and recover well for your next run. Don’t increase the weight, sets, and running mileage all at once.
During peak-mileage weeks and your taper, reduce strength-training volume as needed. This is the time to maintain familiar habits, not introduce a workout that leaves you sore for days.
FAQs About Strength Training for Marathon Runners
How often should marathon runners lift weights?
Two sessions per week are a practical starting point for many runners. Beginners may start with one shorter session, while runners managing high mileage may reduce strength work to one maintenance session. Your recovery and training experience should guide the schedule.
Should runners lift heavy or light weights?
Start with a load you can control. Heavier resistance has evidence supporting improvements in running economy, but it requires good technique and gradual progression. You do not need to test your maximum lift to begin building strength.
Can strength training prevent running injuries?
Strength training is not a guarantee against running injuries. It can build strength and contribute to a well-rounded training plan, but injury risk also involves training history, overall workload, recovery, and other individual factors.
Should I run before or after lifting?
When marathon preparation is the priority, running first generally helps protect the quality of that session. If possible, lift several hours later. If fatigue compromises your lifting technique, shorten or reschedule the strength workout.
Should I keep lifting during my marathon taper?
Keep any strength work familiar and reduce the volume to prioritize recovery. Avoid new exercises, maximal efforts, and sessions likely to cause soreness. Race week is not the time to make up missed gym workouts.
Build Strength for More Than One Finish Line
You don’t need a complicated gym routine to support your marathon goals. Start with a few repeatable movements, progress patiently, and keep enough energy for the miles that matter.
As you prepare for the Austin Marathon, give strength work a place alongside your runs, recovery, and fueling. The goal is bigger than completing your next 26.2: it’s building a routine you’ll want to keep.
Make your next finish line an Austin finish line. Explore the Austin Marathon and start planning your next challenge.
These workouts are general educational examples, not an individualized training or rehabilitation plan. Stop exercises that cause sharp or worsening pain, and seek guidance from a qualified clinician for ongoing symptoms.