should i lift wieghts if run the 1600m for my track team? (16 years old)?

Answer 1

yes, lifting weights will make you run stronger. I am on my track team and we lift weights every other day.

Answer 2

Upper body strength becomes less important the longer the race. For example, you don't need much UBS for a marathon. However, look at any track meet and look at the physiques of the shorter-distance racers. They power themselves down the lanes with sheer UBS.

The mile is a transition distance where dedicated UBS training enters a "gray area".

I'd suggest you add 2 days of dedicated UBS training for a time and decide for yourself whether you should continue. Watch specifically for more sprint speed at the finish as you employ that UBS in the stretch. If you use moderate weights and cover the whole upper body, you ain't gonna bulk up but you'll surely be toned.

Caution: You may be called a "hunk" by admiring females....

Answer 3

Yes lifting helps in several ways.
Increased strength will give faster times.
Help prevent injuries due to the repetitive stress on your joints and spine
Maintain flexibility and keep muscle strength balance. Don't neglect the leg muscles. Runners are prone to tight hamstrings as the quadriceps constantly pull with striding. You need to maintain a 60-40 ratio of strength quads-hams and weights are the best way.Lifting and running means you need to give your body a little more rest and recovery, but you'll get better results.

Answer 4

I also do the 1600 along with the 5000. You dont need to do lower body workouts. Upper body you should do lightly. 3 times a week. If you want to get better run 50-60 miles a week and do hills.

Answer 5

yes, everyone needs to lift weights. It takes strength to run.

You should be doing a total body program and lots of abdominal and core muscle work.

Lift 2 days each week after running on easy days.

You do not need the bulk of a sprinter, but you still need muscles, and lifting allows you to balance your body, where as if you only run you can get imbalanced and that leads to injury.

Answer 6

lifting weights is good for staying tone. you don't want to lift to much or else you will get to much muscle and you don't want to be running with extra weight.

Answer 7

if you want to its ok