For runners, the uphill battle may seem more difficult on your body than the downward decent. But what most don’t realize is that downhill running actually requires the use of more diverse muscle groups.

Unlike weight lifting and focusing on separate muscle groups to gain strength and power, hill running combines the body’s effort to fight gravity with your hip flexors, gluteus, hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, ankles and feet.

Don’t Look Down

Follow these simple tricks down the hill to reduce injury and increase fast twitch muscles fibers for more power and agility when heading down-hill.

• Don’t lean too far forward. This will cause you to increase lower back strain and pain
• Do keep your chin up, literally, and keep an upright position
• Don’t let your feet slap the ground; this will develop a weakness in the shins
• Do take lighter steps with an extended, elongated stride
• Don’t keep the same pace as running on flat ground
• Do focus on your breath to slow down your pace and gain more control.

Author's Bio: 

Grant Donovan is a successful entrepreneur and founder of many disciplines including aviation, automotive, political, anti-aging and life coaching to name a few. But it is his passion for health, nutrition and fitness that he attributes as the leading factor for his success. All of which led him to create mensfitclub.com to share his large breadth of knowledge with the everyday man, and empower them to make the changes that will help lead to their success. He believes a life in balance of mind, body and soul is a life well lived and only when achieved can one unlock their true potential. At age 60, Grant serves as a living example of why staying healthy not only helps you live longer, but the improved quality of life, will allow you to push past boundaries and reach new heights you never knew were possible. With his inspirational personal journey of achievement he has motivated over 350,000+ subscribers to make a positive change in their life and guide them on their pursuit of happiness.