Many runners only focus on their leg movements as they run, but arm motion is just as important. You need to pay attention to your arms, as they make you move quicker for longer, or seemingly with less effort because they determine your stride. Everyone has a unique type of arm movement, so here are some tips on how to improve yours:
Have your arms in 90-degree angles
To make sure you do this properly, never let your hands swing above your shoulders or beneath your waist. Keep your arms moving close to your body and pretend they’re pendulums, so they don’t stick out. Ensure they are relaxed and that you are comfortable. They must swing passively instead of being stuck to your hips, so these can also rotate and you can run better.
Don’t raise your shoulders
If you find soreness in your neck or shoulders after you run, you will have been moving your shoulders up and down while swinging your arms. To prevent this, try putting your right hand on your left shoulder and swinging your left arm, and concentrate on the point in your elbow. Do this with your other arm, and keep doing this exercise until the movement feels more natural. The soreness will stop and your runs will become more relaxed.
Loosen your hands
Your hands must be relaxed, as many runners who run with clenched fists cause tension in their muscles. You need to curl your fingers and pretend you’re holding a crisp you mustn't break. Keep your thumbs on top of your fingers and make sure your palms face each other.
Swing your elbows far back
Focus on bringing your elbows back, and you’ll see that your arm will swing forward naturally. This is unless you are running on hills, when your arms will move forwards rather than backwards. This effort will take lots of pressure off your legs, so you can lift these up with more ease.
