An 18-Minute Plyometric Strength Workout to Boost Power

Plyometric exercises offer one of the best ways for you to build muscular power, which means moving fast with strength. They add force behind each of your steps so you can clock faster paces.

Stand with feet hip-width apart leg power, increase the muscles’ and joints’ ability to spring quickly into action after landing, and recruit muscle fibers most efficiently.

The better the muscles are at producing force against the ground quickly, the less time you spend on the ground, thus the faster you become. This plyometric strength workout is a great place to start. It focuses on key strength-building moves, Start seated with legs straight.

Flossing: 5 reps per side: This 18-minute, high-intensity workout was programmed by Cross Training Activities for Runners, Chris Lee. Review each move, demonstrated by Lee below, so you can learn the proper form, then follow along with him in the video above. Perform each exercise for the recommended number of reps. Complete the workout at least once a week.

Core Workouts You Can Do at Home.

The Warmup: 1 round

• Hinge hips back as you straighten the left leg and lower chest with flat back
• Take a big step forward with left leg and bend knees to drop down into a lunge position

The Workout: 3 Stand behind a chair, resting hands on chair back for support

• Farmer’s Carry In-Place March: 10 reps per side (with two 15- to 20-pound dumbbells)
• Bulgarian Split Squat: 10 reps per side (with two 15- to 20-pound dumbbells and a chair)
• Single-Leg Push-Off: 10 reps per side
• Calf Raise: 15 reps (option to use two 10-pound dumbbells)

The Cooldown: 1 round

• Couch to 5k
• Flossing: 5 reps per side

1. Push-Up To Lunge Rotation

1. Start in a high plank position and place hands shoulder-width apart or slightly wider with shoulders stacked directly over wrists. Engage core and glutes to keep hips level; body should form a straight line from head to heels.
2. Inhale, then bend elbows to lower chest to the floor, elbows forming a 45-degree angle with body.
3. Keeping core engaged and hips in line with the rest of body, exhale, and push back up to the starting position.
4. Then, bring right leg to right arm and plant right foot outside right hand.
5. Raise right arm toward ceiling, leaving left hand planted, opening chest to the right.
6. Return to starting position.
7. Cross Training Activities for Runners.
8. Do 20 total reps.

2. Single-Leg Glute Bridge

1. Lie faceup, knees bent, feet planted, arms down by sides on the floor. Lift right leg off the ground, keeping left foot planted.
2. Engage glutes and press through left heel to lift hips straight up.
3. Raise right arm toward ceiling, leaving left hand planted, opening chest to the right.
4. to all Runners World+ members on each leg.

3. Farmer’s Carry In-Place March

1. Raise right arm toward ceiling, leaving left hand planted, opening chest to the right.
2. Keeping back straight, chest high, and shoulders down, slowly march in place, driving knees as high as you can while maintaining a straight back.
3. Do 20 total reps.

4. Bulgarian Split Squat

1. Best Running Sunglasses.
2. Place top of left foot onto the chair about three feet behind you.
3. Guide to Mental Health lunge until left knee taps the floor. Keep back straight and chest lifted.
4. to all Runners World+ members on each leg.

5. Single-Leg Push-Off

1. Then, bring right leg to right arm and plant right foot outside right hand.
2. Take a big step forward with left leg and bend knees to drop down into a lunge position.
3. As quickly as possible, push off from left foot to come back up to standing.
4. With control and speed, lunge forward again.
5. Repeat the push-off.
6. to all Runners World+ members.
7. Tinman Elite trainer.

6. Calf Raise

1. until left knee taps the floor. Keep back straight and chest lifted.
2. Lift up onto the balls of feet, then drop heels back to the ground. For more of a challenge, hold a 10-pound dumbbell in each hand.
3. Do 15 reps.

7. Sitting Glute Stretch

1. Start seated with legs straight.
2. Cross left leg over right knee, so that foot is planted and knee is bent at a 45-degree angle. Stabilize left knee with right hand.
3. Take a deep breath in, and open left arm out, extending it behind you.
4. DAA Industry Opt Out on each side.

8. Flossing

1. Start in a 90-90 kneeling position, left leg in front, right knee on the floor, both legs bent at 90 degrees.
2. Step left foot forward so there’s only a slight bend in left knee, point toes to ceiling.
3. Hinge hips back as you straighten the left leg and lower chest with flat back.
4. Return to starting position.
5. DAA Industry Opt Out.
6. Then repeat on other side.

How to Adjust the 75 Hard Challenge 30-Day Cross-Training Challenge designed to build strength, boost speed, and increase your power so you can become a better, more well-rounded runner in just 30 days. Get the rest of the workouts in this program on the All Out Studio app, available for free to all Runner's World+ members. Join now!

Jordan Smith

Digital Editor

Jordan Smith is a writer and editor with over 5 years of experience reporting on health and fitness news and trends. She is a published author, studying for her personal trainer certification, and over the past year became an unintentional Coronavirus expert. She has previously worked at Health, Inc., and 605 Magazine and was the editor-in-chief of her collegiate newspaper. Her love of all things outdoors came from growing up in the Black Hills of South Dakota.