what muscles are used when running
6 ways to strengthen your running muscles Runners tend to get tight hamstrings, hip flexors (the muscle just under hips) and calves. Flexibility and stretching is important to prevent injury while running, and to increase your strength and the length of each stride by promoting longer, leaner muscles. Hold each stretch for about 20 to 30 seconds and repeat. To increase your running strength you need to be able to push past your current threshold. - This is the return phase of running in its most basic form. 1 â Thigh Extensor muscles. These include your 1) gluteus maximus, 2) semimembranosus, 3) semitendinosus, and 4) biceps femoris (long head). Note: the semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris (long head) are also known as the hamstring muscles.