YOU DON’T NEED to charge hundreds of miles of trails like Dean Karnazes or Scott Jurek to reap the body benefits of running off-road. Hitting the trail—even a smooth gravel, dirt or woodchip path—works your muscles, tendons and ligaments (and more) differently than running on the road or treadmill. And running trails that head uphill or down…you’re not only building your cardiovascular engine, but strengthening quads, glutes, calves, and core, too.
You’re also improving your balance and proprioception (your body’s ability to know where it is in space) when trail running—a benefit that carries over into all the other sports and activities you do.
As with any training program, easing into trail running is important. If you’re just starting out, seek a smooth, mellow trail and work your way up to more “technical” (aka: tricky) terrain. Your muscles, joints and ligaments will gradually and safely become stronger than ever.
For more inspiration, check out these 8 parts of your body that trail running can transform:
1. Core
The very nature of trails—soft, forgiving surfaces, sometimes riddled with obstacles like roots or rocks—requires you to engage your core muscles for stability. Each step you take works to tighten and strengthen your core.
2. Quads
Running on trails, downhill in particular, builds strength and definition in your quadriceps. Your quads act as the brakes that keep you from spiraling downhill too fast.
3. Glutes
Running uphill engages your glute muscles for power. And negotiating singletrack and trail obstacles recruits your glutes for lateral stability.
4. Calves
Hilly terrain, and/or running on technical trails, works your calves—they’re what propel you. And every step that requires stability on trail (so, basically, every step), starts with muscles in your feet and heads straight to your lower leg.
5. Connective Tissue
Due to the constant need to stabilize on a trail—adjusting to softer surfaces, finding your way around obstacles—your connective tissue gets strengthened with each step. That means the ligaments and tendons around ankle, knee, and hip joints become increasingly strong—and less prone to injury—when you run trails.