Essential Bodyweight Exercises
High Knees
High knees are a great way to work your muscles and your lungs, as they become a cardio burst as well as a way to strengthen your hip flexors and glutes. Your hip flexors are part of the group of muscles that you lift your knee up. This muscle group is especially important to runners, as it helps to develop the quadriceps muscles as well as increasing stride length.
The motion itself is pretty simple and does require some balance. Start slow if necessary, lifting one leg at a time. If you’re feeling a little more advanced, pick up the pace and lift those knees with more speed, and the higher the better! You’ll not only work those all-important hip flexors and quadriceps, but you’re also hitting your calf and glute muscles. Add an arm swing to the motion to increase the benefits of high knees. Hip strength is important for all of us, as this muscle group helps keep us balanced.