If you’ve got a spring in your step because of the nice weather, you may want to enjoy the fresh air by starting a new running hobby. But being a runner isn’t just about lacing up fancy new kicks and hitting the pavement. By incorporating a few exercises into your workout routine, you can help prevent some injuries that are common in the running world. Here are a few of them to start doing now. Strengthen those quads . Running is a great way to work out your hamstrings, so working on your quads is key to keeping your leg muscles balanced and for preventing injuries like runner’s knee. To strengthen your quads, try adding squats to your routine. Stretch your IT band . If you’ve talked to regular runners,

chances are you’ve heard them complain about IT band injuries or knee pain. Be proactive about these injuries by making sure you stretch out your IT band regularly, even if you aren’t feeling any pain. Use a foam roller on the outside of your quads or do this standing exercise after a run to ensure you keep your IT band loose. Move laterally . Counteract all that forward-moving motion you’re doing with exercises that get you moving side to side. Exercises like side lunges and side planks help strengthen stabilizing muscles, which are important for ensuring you’re running correctly and efficiently. Doing skater’s lunges are also beneficial. Read on for three more important exercises for runners after the break.

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Preventative Exercises Every New Runner Should Learn