Olympic 1,500m champion Taoufik Makhloufi doesn’t take weightlifting lightly
Olympic 1,500m champion Taoufik Makhloufi posted a strength training video to Instagram in which he quarter squats more than 200 kilograms.
Olympic 1,500m champion Taoufik Makhloufi posted a video to Instagram on May 9 of a weightlifting session that many other runners would be envious of. The 28-year-old Algerian won gold at the London Olympics in 2012.
According to sprint coach and journalist Pierre-Jean Vazel, Makhloufi was doing quarter squats of 220 kilograms, which is about 485 lbs. He does four repetitions of the squat bar. What makes it more impressive is that the Algerian only weighs approximately 70 kilograms (150 lbs).
RELATED: The strength training regime of world record holder Usain Bolt.
The middle distance athlete has run 1:43.53 for 800m and 3:28.75 for 1,500m. The defending winner in the 1,500m from London is set to compete at this summer’s Games in Rio, which are set to begin on Aug. 5 and end on Aug. 21.
RELATED: The comeback plan: Strength training with Catherine Watkins.
Many runners incorporate strength training and weights into their running routines to supplement their weekly mileage in an effort to improve endurance, strength, running economy and power.
Runners who specialize in the 1,500m often incorporate speed and endurance workouts because the distance is more so an aerobic event but anaerobic conditioning is also needed.
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