Probably unlike most of you, or at least in comparison, I’m clueless about core strength in relation, or that is beneficial to endurance sports. I want to improve here, and will through reading and listening. For now, I’m wondering about cleans.
Many years ago I was into lifting (was a football player), those days are mostly gone (I still do some curls, for the girls, of course, and some pushups and stuff), but have changed my body type with about 5 years of endurance training and racing. I started doing some cleans a month or two ago because of what I knew about them as a strength builder… though I’m sticking to very light weights (for me), and only a couple of times per week, to see how they “feel”. My first reaction is a noticed improvement in core strength. I feel like my last couple of longish runs have benefited. Am I delusional (placebo effect), is this a good core strengthening activity, or could I possibly be hurting myself (slowing myself down somehow) performing this twice weekly routine? Enlighten me, please.
Thanks.
you are not crazy; clean certainly help develop the “core” area. The way i personally look at the “core” is for the ability to transfer force from the lower to upper body (or vise versa) as well as the ablity to help you deal with outside forces. Cleans are a great way to develop the core in transfering forces from the lower to upper body as well as dealing with the outside force of catching the weight at the top fo the movement.
people are going to argue that you should or should not lift; only running will make you faster running, blah blah blah. I say decide for yourself; if you feel they help you then do them if you can. As far as the question do cleans work the core? Yes they do.
you are not crazy; clean certainly help develop the “core” area. The way i personally look at the “core” is for the ability to transfer force from the lower to upper body (or vise versa) as well as the ablity to help you deal with outside forces. Cleans are a great way to develop the core in transfering forces from the lower to upper body as well as dealing with the outside force of catching the weight at the top fo the movement.
people are going to argue that you should or should not lift; only running will make you faster running, blah blah blah. I say decide for yourself; if you feel they help you then do them if you can. As far as the question do cleans work the core? Yes they do.
I agree.
You amy also want to consider rowing with the concept 2. Many of the same muscle groups are used. Depending on your intensity, it can be strength-building, or endurance-building. See below
http://www.concept2.com/us/training/muscles_used.asp
Look into boxing core workouts - they are the best out there. It is strength and endurance.