Try Hill Running to Build Strength, Speed & Stamina

The world of hill running is terrifying to many runners. Existing almost in its own mysterious, parallel dimension, to some it’s considered strictly off limits. But there’s nothing to fear. In fact, hill running has many benefits and is a great exercise for helping you to hit peak performance and take your running to the next level.

In many ways, a good hill run is like a good horror movie: you start not knowing what you’re getting yourself into, and there are a few bumpy moments along the way, but once it’s over it’s never as bad as you expected. And the post-run high is so good, you’ll soon want to do it all over again.

We’ve enlisted Myprotein PT and hill running enthusiast Mike Dyson to give the lowdown on incline training, its benefits, and how you can take your hill running to the max. Let’s pay a visit to the land of ups and downs.

What is hill running?

Hill running is a form of running that involves inclines, declines or a mixture of both. Hill running is usually completed over upland country where the gradient climbed is a significant part of what makes the run difficult.

5 benefits of hill running

Many runners think hill running is scary, and it can be difficult. However, there are many benefits that can be gained by incorporating hill running into your training.

• Builds strength, speed and stamina
• Improves intensity
• Burns more calories
• Helps prevent injuries
• Adds variety to your running routine