Core Stability Exercises for Runners  Stronger Core, No Crunches
Still on the floor doing endless crunches? Stand up to work your
abs for running  Core Values  Old habits are hard to break.
Which is why you still see people lying down doing crunches. If
all you want is a washboard look, that tactic might work. But to
run your best, you should stand up. "Runners need to train the
entire core—the muscles that attach to the pelvis—to run safely
and efficiently," says Gary Lavin, a coach, trainer, and co-
owner of Fitness Redefined in Palm Beach, Florida. "To target
these muscles, you need to work them in the position they're in
while running—upright." This routine strengthens the core plus
the hip flexors, hamstrings, and quads and improves balance. Do
these moves, working up to three sets of 10 reps, after easy
runs—when you wouldn't want to lie down anyway.  How fit are
you?