PlanWorkouts

Exercise 3656 · REF CcWEoWV

Short Stride Run exercise animation

Short Stride Run

Category
Cardio
Equipment
Body Weight
Target
Cardiovascular System

Short stride running — quick, compact steps rather than long strides — is a cadence drill more than a distance-covering one, aimed at building leg turnover and coordination. It's commonly used as a warm-up or conditioning finisher rather than a main cardio session. Keep the steps light and fast rather than powerful; overstriding defeats the purpose.

How to Do the Short Stride Run

  1. Find an open space or a treadmill to perform the exercise.
  2. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
  3. Start jogging in place, lifting your knees high and pumping your arms.
  4. After a few seconds, start taking short strides forward, maintaining a quick pace.
  5. Continue running with short strides for the desired duration or distance.

Muscles Worked

The Short Stride Run primarily targets the Cardiovascular System, with Quadriceps as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Hamstrings, Calves.

More Cardio Exercises

Astride Jumps (male) Astride Jumps (male) Body Weight · Cardiovascular System Back And Forth Step Back And Forth Step Body Weight · Cardiovascular System Bear Crawl Bear Crawl Body Weight · Cardiovascular System Burpee Burpee Body Weight · Cardiovascular System Cycle Cross Trainer Cycle Cross Trainer Leverage Machine · Cardiovascular System Dumbbell Burpee Dumbbell Burpee Dumbbell · Cardiovascular System

More Cardiovascular System Exercises

Half Knee Bends (male) Half Knee Bends (male) Body Weight · Cardiovascular System High Knee Against Wall High Knee Against Wall Body Weight · Cardiovascular System Jack Burpee Jack Burpee Body Weight · Cardiovascular System Jack Jump (male) Jack Jump (male) Body Weight · Cardiovascular System Jump Rope Jump Rope Rope · Cardiovascular System Mountain Climber Mountain Climber Body Weight · Cardiovascular System

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have body weight? These target the same cardiovascular system with different equipment.

Cycle Cross Trainer Cycle Cross Trainer Leverage Machine · Cardiovascular System Dumbbell Burpee Dumbbell Burpee Dumbbell · Cardiovascular System Jump Rope Jump Rope Rope · Cardiovascular System Stationary Bike Run V. 3 Stationary Bike Run V. 3 Stationary Bike · Cardiovascular System

FAQ

What muscles does the Short Stride Run work?
The Short Stride Run primarily targets the cardiovascular system, with the quadriceps and hamstrings, calves assisting.
What equipment do I need for the Short Stride Run?
The Short Stride Run is done with no equipment — just body weight.
What's a good alternative to the Short Stride Run?
If you don't have access to the space or setup it needs, the Cycle Cross Trainer targets the same cardiovascular system using leverage machine instead.