Real Life Runners with Angie and Kevin Brown

436: Hips and Single Leg Strength


Listen Later

Training Single-Leg Control for Better Running

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into something I talk about with runners every single day: your hips. If you’ve ever wondered why certain niggles keep showing up, why your gait feels “off,” or why your stride doesn’t feel as smooth as it should, this episode is for you.

Although many people think of running as a two-legged sport, it is actually a one-legged activity repeated thousands of times. Every step is a single-leg balance, stability, and power moment. So if your hips aren’t pulling their weight, you’ll feel it. For many runners, especially as you move into your 40s and beyond, hip weakness becomes one of the biggest contributors to gait inefficiencies and overuse injuries.

In this episode, we break down:

  • Why hip strength and control are foundational for efficient, pain-free running
  • How single-leg stability impacts everything from cadence to stride mechanics
  • The surprising ways hip weakness shows up in your gait (sometimes in places you wouldn’t expect!)
  • Personal stories from our own “aha” moments—when we finally connected the dots between hip strength and better running
  • Simple assessments you can do at home to understand your hip control
  • Key exercises that build strength, stability, coordination, and power—all levels welcome
  • Why runners over 40 should prioritize this even more (hint: it’s not just about strength—it’s about longevity)

We wrap up the conversation with actionable steps you can start using today to feel more stable, more powerful, and more confident on the run. Because when your hips show up, everything in your running feels better, and your everyday movement does, too.

If you’ve been skipping your strength work or unsure where to start, this episode will give you the clarity and motivation to take the next right step.

Tune in and let’s get those hips working for you, not against you!


00:51 The Importance of Hip Strength in Running

01:12 Personal Stories and Experiences

01:49 Understanding the Role of Hips in Running Mechanics

07:15 Kevin's Journey and Hip Strengthening Exercises

09:20 Common Running Issues and Hip Weakness

22:59 Understanding Pelvic Drop and Lateral Trunk Lean

23:43 Compensations and Ov

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!


Come find us on Instagram and say hi!




Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Real Life Runners with Angie and Kevin BrownBy Angie and Kevin Brown

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

159 ratings


More shows like Real Life Runners with Angie and Kevin Brown

View all
Marathon Training Academy by Angie and Trevor

Marathon Training Academy

1,506 Listeners

Another Mother Runner by Another Mother Runner

Another Mother Runner

1,330 Listeners

Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running by RunnersConnect : Running Coaching Community

Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

857 Listeners

The Strength Running Podcast by Jason Fitzgerald

The Strength Running Podcast

1,334 Listeners

Ali on the Run Show by Ali Feller

Ali on the Run Show

4,113 Listeners

The Rambling Runner Podcast by Matt Chittim

The Rambling Runner Podcast

502 Listeners

Run4PRs by Run4PRs

Run4PRs

203 Listeners

For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running by Jonathan Levitt

For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

426 Listeners

The Run Smarter Podcast by Brodie Sharpe

The Run Smarter Podcast

141 Listeners

Hit Play Not Pause by Hit Play Not Pause

Hit Play Not Pause

724 Listeners

The Running Explained Podcast by Running Explained

The Running Explained Podcast

454 Listeners

The Planted Runner by Evergreen Podcasts

The Planted Runner

377 Listeners

Tread Lightly Running Podcast by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris

Tread Lightly Running Podcast

360 Listeners

Everyday Ultra by Joe Corcione

Everyday Ultra

186 Listeners

Marathon Handbook Podcast by Marathon Handbook

Marathon Handbook Podcast

47 Listeners