7 core exercises you should start doing now to improve your running
If you're just getting into running, it's often easy to forget about strength training and core exercises. Yet a strong core is essential for all runners. A strong core gives you better running form and the ability to run faster - while also preventing any nasty injuries - by improving your general strength, balance and body alignment. But that’s just the start of it.
Whether you’re training for an event or simply looking to run further for longer, the following core exercises will push you and help perfect your performance. There’s also the added bonus that core exercises don’t require any equipment or much time - so you can do them in the comfort of your home and whenever suits your schedule.
1. Plank
It’s a no brainer to start with the plank. The plank is a great core exercise because it works all the core muscles at once, while also strengthening the legs, glutes, arms, spine and shoulders. It’s basically a whole body workout in one exercise. Those strong core muscles will keep you balanced and help you run with strength and endurance.
To get the most out of your plank, you’ll need to focus on your form. Keep your hands aligned under your shoulders and pull your belly button up towards your spine. Squeeze your abs and your glutes to reap all the benefits of this glorious exercise. Don’t worry about holding it for too long - aim for 30 seconds to a minute and work up from there.
2. Plank Shoulder Taps
Plank shoulder taps are a variation on the plank that pushes you even harder. Like the plank, this core exercise pretty much works out your entire body, with a strong focus on the midsection. Runners benefit from this variation as it helps to reduce lower back pain, which can be a common drawback for runners. A strong lower back in connection with the core will help you to maintain balance and perfect your running form.
Simply get into your plank position, lift one hand and tap it to the opposite shoulder - and switch. Pull your stomach in extra tight as you tap to feel the burn and, importantly, try to get the rest of your body completely still.
3.Leg raises
Leg raises target the lower core muscles, which are often difficult to build but have specific benefits for runners. Tight, strong lower core muscles help strengthen the lower back, meaning that you maintain better running posture. Lower core muscles also help your internal organs; maintaining better bladder control and keeping your gut healthy. The longer you can run without needing a bathroom break, the better!
To perform your leg raises, simply lie on the ground with your legs flat and your arms by your side. Raise your legs until your body creates an L shape, and then bring back down without letting your legs touch the floor. You should feel a real burn in your lower abdominal muscles.
4. Windshield Wipers
Windshield wiper exercises are similar to leg raises, but they work the obliques and rectus abdominis muscles, which are at either side of your core. In running, everything is connected, and it’s important to focus on body alignment. Your obliques connect to your hips, which have a big impact on your running gait and create the energy for the swing of your leg, so this is a key exercise for keen runners.
Do your windshield wipers in a similar way to your raises. However, instead of keeping your legs straight, bend them slightly and twist them to either side, creating a semicircle motion. Aim to keep your lower back in contact with the floor as much as possible.
5. Glute bridge
Glute raises... What's this doing in a list of core exercises?! Well, when done right, a glute bridge also works the transversus abdominis and multifidus muscles which enclose your entire midsection. And, if that wasn’t enough, glute bridges also work your lower back, giving you better posture and helping you to stay stable when running. Strong glutes in combination with a strong core and legs center your pelvis and keep everything aligned, helping you to run faster.
To do a glute bridge properly, lie on your back with your legs bent and your feet flat on the floor. Push your heels into the floor and tighten your glutes and abdominal muscles as you lift your hips upward.
6. Bicycle Crunch
The bicycle crunch is a great exercise that works the obliques and the hips, keeping your body aligned when running and helping your gait. A good hip extension means stronger knees and a better foot placement, helping you run faster and prevent those pesky knee injuries which are common among runners.
To do your bicycle crunches, lie on your back with your knees up at a right angle. Place your hands behind your head and touch your right elbow to your left knee, and switch. You should aim for a deep crunch which activates those core muscles.
7. Bird Dog
The bird dog is an exercise that works the core, hips and back muscles. With alternate movements, it’s great for working on balance and stability - two things that all runners need to perform to their best. This is a slow and steady low impact exercise that helps build strength and focus, making it great for those non-running days.
On all fours, reach out your right hand and kick your left leg back simultaneously. Focus on creating a straight line from your hand to foot, keeping the hips squared and the back flat. Switch and repeat for an effective core workout.
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Let's Do This Team's Top 2025 Event Picks
As the clock strikes midnight and the promise of a fresh start begins, many of us are setting our sights on challenges that will make 2025 a year to remember. To help give you some new year inspo, we asked our team to share their goals for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking to smash a personal best, conquer an iconic event, or try something entirely new, we hope our team’s resolutions inspire you to set some big, bold goals of your own.Here’s what we’re working towards in 2025:
New Year, New Goals: 2025 inspo from the Let’s Do This team
As the clock strikes midnight and the promise of a fresh start begins, many of us are setting our sights on challenges that will make 2025 a year to remember. To help give you some new year inspo, we asked our team to share their goals for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking to smash a personal best, conquer an iconic event, or try something entirely new, we hope our team’s resolutions inspire you to set some big, bold goals of your own.
Here’s what we’re working towards in 2025:
Reece: A Year of Firsts
"2025 is going to be a year of firsts for me. I’ll be tackling my first triathlon at Blenheim, running my first ultra at Race to the Stones, and (if I can snag a spot) taking on my first Hyrox event in London. Here’s to pushing boundaries!"
Book now:
Oscar: Chasing Speed
I’m keeping it short and speedy this year—hopefully! My goals are a sub-17-minute 5k and a 5-minute mile.
I’ve got my eye on the Battersea Chase the Sun/Moon events because the flat, fast course is perfect for a PB.
Book now:
Battersea Chase the Moon January
Lisa: Hitting the Trails and City Breaks
"I’ve heard so many great things about Maverick events from the Let’s Do This team, so I’m thinking of booking the Original West Sussex—it’s just a short train ride from London. I also want to use races as an excuse to travel, and I’ve got my eye on the Rome Marathon in March as my first running holiday of the year."
Book Now:
Dom: Fast and Far
My focus is on speed and endurance. I’m aiming for a sub-1:20 half marathon at the Bath Half in March, then finishing the year strong at the Chicago Marathon.
Book now:
Rob: Epic Adventures
This year, I’m taking on the Ultra Trail Snowdonia 50k and aiming for the UTMB. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll swap the running shoes for a multi-day gravel race. Either way, it’s going to be an adventure!
Book now:
James: My First Ultra
This is the year I’ll tackle my first ultra! I’m heading up to the Lakes for the 55km 5 Valleys race in September. Can’t wait to take in the incredible scenery while pushing myself to new limits.
Book Now:
13 Valleys Ultra Marathon (5 Valleys 50k)
Rachel: Elevating My Goals
"I’m mixing things up in 2025 by focusing on elevation rather than distance. My big goal? A race with 950 meters of climb over 16 kilometers. It’s going to be a whole new kind of challenge!"
Book now:
JC: A Year of the Super Halfs
I’ve convinced my friends to tackle the Super Halfs series with me. After running Copenhagen last year, we’ve got Lisbon on the cards for March. I’m also hoping to get into cycling—fingers crossed I can bag a spot at Bike New York's 5 Boro Bike Tour and combine it with a New York city break with friends!
Book Now:
Whether you're gearing up for your first race or taking on a bucket-list event, there’s no better time than the new year to start planning your next adventure. What goals are you setting for 2025? Let us know—we’d love to cheer you on!
How To: Set Your 2025 Running Goals with Coopah
As we are approaching the end of the year, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your 2025 running goals, and what you want to achieve over the next 12 months.We know it can be hard to know how to set your running goals, so we have asked Jordan Foster, Head Coach at Coopah, the Run Coaching App to share her top tips.
As we are approaching the end of the year, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your 2025 running goals, and what you want to achieve over the next 12 months.
We know it can be hard to know how to set your running goals, so we have asked Jordan Foster, Head Coach at Coopah, the Run Coaching App to share her top tips.
I honestly love nothing more than sitting down at the end of December and writing a list of what I want to achieve the following year; whether that's running, professional or just general day to day life. But, for the purpose of this blog, let's stick to running.
And do you know the best thing about running goals: your goals are entirely your own.
- If you want to just start your running journey, amazing.
- If you’re chasing a personal best (PB), go for it.
- If you’re aiming to cross the finish line of your first marathon in one piece, incredible.
The exact goal itself doesn’t matter as much as the process of setting it, and building the plan to achieve it. So, here are some tips to help you create meaningful and achievable running goals for 2025.
Be Specific
Think about what really matters to you, as I said a goal doesn’t always need to be time based, but having a clear, specific goal is a great way to not only stay motivated, but also to ensure you are doing the right things to help you get there. For example a vague goal like “start running more” is a good start, but the magic really happens when you get specific and know exactly what you are aiming for;
- Want to aim for your first 5km? Awesome, set yourself a target date of when you want to achieve it to give you something to aim for.
- Running your first marathon? Brilliant, maybe the goal is to finish strong and soak in every moment.
- Just want to build confidence and consistency? Great, focus on nailing your training plan.
How Coopah Can Help: When setting up your training plan we will ask for your goal for your event, along with finding out more about your running history and experience. Which in turn will generate you a personalised training plan that is tailored specifically to your current fitness level and your overall goal. So you have peace of mind knowing that your plan is designed with your end goal in mind. Download the app and get started today.
Be Brave
Let’s be honest: big goals can feel scary. But does that mean we shouldn’t set them? Absolutely not.
Over the years, I have set myself many big goals in running. Some of these I have achieved, and some I have not. But does that mean I have failed? Personally, I don’t think so.
Because I still put myself out there, I still worked hard towards trying to achieve it and I showed up and tried my best. And that is really the most important thing.
So set those big goals. Be brave and push yourself. And remember, the best growth happens when we take on those big challenges that feel slightly out of reach.
How Coopah Can Help: Having the right support can make all the difference when setting those big goals, and with Coopah you have 24/7 access to our team of coaches who are on hand to help, support and advise you throughout your training plan. Whether you have a question about your plan, need that extra bit of motivation or just want to share how you are getting on, we are there for you every step of the way. Download the app and chat to your coach today.
Be Realistic
That said, whilst being brave is great, it’s also important to be honest with yourself and make sure those goals you are setting are realistic in the time frame you have;
- How far away is your event?
- How much time can you realistically commit to training each week?
- What’s your current fitness level?
For example if your dream is to run a marathon, but right now you are right at the start of your running journey, you may just need to take a step back and set yourself a smaller goal to achieve in the short term, whilst creating a long term plan to achieve this.
By setting yourself smaller, manageable goals this will also help to keep you motivated during your training as you will hopefully see progress a lot quicker, whilst knowing everything you are doing is getting you one step closer to achieving your ultimate goal.
For example your first goal could be to run your first 5km, then build up to 10km and so on.
Remember, progress in running takes time. It takes effort, hard work and commitment. We can’t always achieve everything we want to do at once, so having those long term goals and plan is a great way to keep you motivated to ensure you are always heading in the right direction.
How Coopah Can Help: With Coopah you can easily track your progress to see if you are on track to hitting your goals. Every workout will be tailored to your overall goal so you can see in real time if you are hitting your target. Download the app and start making progress from today.
Be Prepared
So here is your challenge for this week. Take some time to sit down, grab a notebook, or even the notes app on your phone, and think about your running goals. Not just the easy ones, but those big, bold, slightly scary goals too. Write them down.
Now, once you’ve got those goals in front of you, I want you to think about how you’re going to achieve them, and use the tips from this blog:
- Be Specific about what you want.
- Be Brave and aim high.
- Be Realistic about your current fitness and life commitments.
I promise you, just writing your goals down is a huge step forward. Once you’ve committed to them, you’re already on the journey. And remember, the journey itself is part of the fun.
You might hit your goal in 3 months, or 6 months, or it could be a long-term goal that takes a few years. Whatever the timeline, every time you lace up your shoes and head out the door, you’re one step closer.
So next time you’re on a run, remind yourself: every mile, every sweaty workout, every “I really don’t feel like this” moment is part of the process. Celebrate the little wins along the way, as they’re what make the big wins possible.
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The Challenges Women Face in Running and How It Impacts Participation
Running is often lauded as one of the most accessible sports—just lace up your trainers and go. However, for many women, the barriers to participation go far beyond the logistical. While safety concerns are frequently highlighted, deeper systemic issues like access to the sport and unequal treatment are also preventing more women from running. It was a topic keenly discussed at our In Her Stride panel held at the end of November, with key members of the female running community including Sophie Power, Tasha Thompson, Rehana Mawani and Emily Shane.
Running is often lauded as one of the most accessible sports—just lace up your trainers and go. However, for many women, the barriers to participation go far beyond the logistical. While safety concerns are frequently highlighted, deeper systemic issues like access to the sport and unequal treatment are also preventing more women from running. It was a topic keenly discussed at our In Her Stride panel held at the end of November, with key members of the female running community including Sophie Power, Tasha Thompson, Rehana Mawani and Emily Shane.
Before we kick things off however, we should highlight that female participation in running events is growing, and this is a great thing! According to data from Let’s Do This, women in their 20s are the fastest-growing demographic in event participation this year. However despite this, women are still 16% less likely to run every week compared to men. This disparity is particularly striking given that women report higher levels of personal benefits from running, such as improved fitness, better sleep, and reduced stress.
The reasons for this are complex and personal, however we have broken down three key challenges discussed during our panel and the solutions explored that could help address them.
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1. The Pressure of Pace
One of the biggest hurdles for many women is the pressure to run faster. Despite the average UK woman’s running speed of 06:37 min/km (according to Strava), most run clubs don’t cater to this with the slowest pace often around 6 minutes per km. Add to this the relentless focus on personal bests and fast times on social media, and it’s no surprise that many women feel too intimidated to join in.
Thankfully, there are starting to be more people rebelling against this speed obsession, including our panelist, Emily Shane. Emily has been leading the charge to encourage more women to disregard pace and focus on the experience of running to drive uptake amongst women. Initiatives like events without cutoff times and more inclusive pace groups at running clubs are vital to creating a more welcoming environment and broadening the benefits of running to the experience and community.
2. Perception of Sport in Schools
One of the topics hotly discussed was how for many girls, the barriers to enjoying physical activity start at school. Puberty, coupled with changing bodies and fluctuating emotions, can make sports feel daunting and uncomfortable for teenage girls. Research highlights this disparity: only 38% of girls enjoy sport and exercise compared to 53% of boys, and just 26% of girls feel confident in physical activity versus 43% of boys.
The panel emphasised the need to address this such as:
- Introducing a wider variety of sports and fitness activities to cater to different interests
- Providing more supportive and confidence-boosting PE kits.
- Showcasing more female role models in sport to inspire young girls.
By addressing these issues at the school level, we can foster a love of sport that lasts into adulthood.
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3. Treatment at Events
This is a topic that panelist Sophie Power, founder of SheRACES is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about. Even at organised running events, women often experience unequal treatment. From “unisex: t-shirts (which are actually designed for men) to a lack of sanitary products in portaloos, these "small things" can collectively make women feel like an afterthought. Prize money inequality and rigid event policies—like no deferral options for pregnant or postpartum women—further highlight these disparities.
Thankfully, initiatives like the 50:50 campaign by Threshold (a campaign to get 50% of women at Ultra startlines vs. the current average of 30%) and the advocacy work of SheRACES are driving change, and there are many amazing event organisers such as Maverick, Threshold, Why We Run and many more, that are working hard to make their events are inclusive as possible for women.
Despite these challenges, the panel and attendees felt overwhelmingly optimistic about the future of running for women and the benefits it brings us. Progress is being made, however we all need to add our voices to the conversation to help more women get into the sport and reap the benefits.
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Some Helpful Resources
Here are a few helpful resources. This list isn’t exhaustive by any means, however is a good starting point for those looking for inspiration on where to start.
Female friendly events:
- Threshold Events
- London Landmarks Half Marathon
- Maverick Events
- Why We Run
- Women Run Series London 2025
Female Only Run Clubs
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