Integrating Plyometrics into Your Training Blocks

Integrating Plyometrics into Your Training Blocks

Have you considered adding plyometric routines into your 2026 training? Plyometric exercises are a valuable addition to both the early and late phases of your training cycle. This evidence-based approach is designed to enhance explosive strength, boost power output, and improve reactive control. By regularly incorporating plyometrics, you will optimize movement efficiency and running economy while reducing the amount of time your feet spend in contact with the ground. Furthermore, these exercises strengthen the lower body, build resilience against injury, and reinforce eccentric control and force absorption.

Yielding and Non-Yielding Plyometrics

Each of my runner’s training plans incorporate both yielding and non-yielding plyometric exercises, tailored to their specific training needs and their training cycle. The early season focuses on yielding plyometrics to establish foundational strength, promote tendon integrity, and enhance movement control. As the season progresses, the emphasis shifts to explosive non-yielding plyometrics, which further develops power and agility.

Examples of Plyometric Exercises

• Yielding Plyometrics: Bounding, Drop Jumps

• Non-Yielding Plyometrics: Jumping Jacks, Speed Skaters

Benefits of Plyometric Training for Runners

By incorporating the right plyometric routines into your training plan, you will become a more powerful and efficient runner, while also building greater resilience against injuries. Regular plyometric exercises help improve your efficiency and run economy, leading to better performance. Finally, these routines strengthen the lower body, enhance explosive strength, and promote better control and force absorption, all of which contribute to reducing the risk of common running-related injuries.