Is core/strength training useless?

I don't think it is useless, one shall just do the minimum required to achive the goal it has. Injury prevention and good running form.

Certainly useful. Twice a week should be enough.

Be careful. I got a groin injury probably because I overdid it and although it’s mostly healed, it’s still not completely healed after six months. Because of this experience, I’m inclined to say targeting the core is not worth it, instead do compound exercises that will naturally use and strengthen the core as needed.

I believe overall fitness/strength is important to stay healthy/not get hurt, will it make you faster, maybe/maybe not . If all you do is run 100 each week and don’t do anything other work I think you would likely be less successful compared to your identical genetic twin who does 100 miles per week a few core sessions and some swimming and a little time in the weight room.

If your twin runs 15 miles less than you per week to focus on doing core and lifting that may not be a winning formula.

I would advise the average person that all things equal it is beneficial to do some core/strength training/xt even if it’s only 60 min per week total. A couple 5-10 min core sessions a 30 min lift and a 20 min swim to cool down after a long run will definitely not hurt your progress and will likely improve it.

It doesn't take much to get a strong core. Even 5-10 minutes a session, 2-3 times a week will go a long way. I don't think it will necessarily make you faster, but it could help prevent certain injuries (eg lower back) that could hamper your running.

What's it like being famous?

62 yo lifetime runner here. Bought into all that strength training B.S. for so long. Kept getting injured for same. Finally, the light bulb turned on. You do strength training because you can, not because it helps. It only helps the PT/guru industry. Injury free for almost a decade now. Just my running, eating and resting. All of the grifters are welcome to downvote.

Interesting subject.

No doubt getting more power helps speed, whether acceleration, top speed or even reserve speed which helps longer events.

Yes, i agree that strength training is important, but my 40 years of training now convinces me you do not really need to go heavy.

If i had my time again, i would focus more on speed and plyometrics, and use general weight training to strengthen relevant muscle groups with a heavy focus on unilateral exercises.

But, I also believe there are many ways to train, and you have to enjoy what u r doing.

If you like heavy weights, deadlifts, power cleans, hip thrusts and so on, go for it.

Depends on who you are, a strong core can be intreperted many different ways the same way strength can be as well. A 6 pack from a fitness model is not necessarily the same strength in terms of flexion, mobility as a cycler or swimmer however in fixed positions it is only useful.

To the populace Eddie shaw is viewed as the strongest man or one of the strongest in the world, only in a one dimensional way, but he probably cant do more than a few bodyweight pullups and his strength to weight ratio is way out of balance.

The key is universal strength, humans are designed to maintain a strength that can be geared properly with rigourous cardiovascular activity to it's best potential.

This is all dependent upon your genetics upon what you can handle thats properly balanced v02 ability this probably sounds like it's rocket science but your body will be able to tell you this and you will know subconciously.

Human beings are designed to be one of the most endurance based mammals, but we werent designed to be skinny twigs either and if you live in America your perception of what athleticism is has been corrupted from mass media outlets and think tanks wanting you to buy into there cultural bs.

Train for truth not for bs.

If training his core "ruined him for months" then he probably needs strength and core work badly.

I read a study that basically pointed out that running at varied paces with good volume trains the running specific core way better than anything you can do on a yoga mat.

Given your self proclaimed elite status, you probably run plenty enough volume to gain those benefits.

Lifting is a different story though. Top end speed and efficiency is all determined by how much force you can exert into the ground, and how much energy doing so takes from your muscles. Lifting can help build higher volume over time and have better top end speed. It’s also subtle anaerobic endurance training. Very beneficial for most runners IMO.

Are you one of the fastest elite runners that you know of?