Hands down, one of the biggest perks of strength training for runners is injury prevention. Running is a high-impact, repetitive activity, and your body needs enough strength to manage the forces it encounters with every stride. Strong muscles around your joints help stabilize them and absorb the impact of each footfall, which drastically reduces your risk of common running injuries. Core strengthening exercises also improve posture and balance, which further decreases injury risk by promoting proper alignment—something I always emphasize when working with my clients.