Clay Holton, The Running DPT

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Clay Holton, The Running DPT

I help runners, in Augusta, GA, manage pain, get stronger, and race faster.

11/04/2025

The calf gets a lot of attention in running circles (as it should) but the opposite side of the leg is often neglected and has been underemphasized in my own training as well. This is a great exercise for strengthening the muscles on your anterior leg, namely the tibialis anterior muscle.
🔹I like the tib bar far better than band loops or kettlebells as it’s much easier to keep on your foot and, even more importantly, allows you to increase the weight easily. You can get an Amazon’s basic one for less than $40 too

11/02/2025

I’m going to post some of the staple exercises I use in my own training and specifically ones I’m using during the last 8 weeks of 2025 as I’m building my aerobic and strength base for stronger running in 2026. If you’re looking for coaching with your own running or strength training, I’m looking to take on 2-3 new coaching clients by the end of the year.
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🔹This is a Single Leg Barbell Squat Clock and I absolutely love this exercise as it requires both strength and mobility in the sagittal plane (think forward and backward movement) as well as coordinated control laterally and rotationally.
🔹This also mirrors the range of motion utilized at the hip, knee, and ankle during the stance phase of running gait cycle where lateral and rotational control is critical.
🔹I specifically like the barbell version of this exercise as it can be infinitely loaded with additional weight. However, I’m unlikely to load this too much as my own movement control isn’t exactly where I want it to be either.
🔹I use some form of single leg mini squat or step down with nearly all of my physical therapy and coaching clients

11/02/2025

Best part of the Sunday run with the .

11/02/2025

Best part of the Sunday run with the Augusta Run Club.

11/02/2025

There’s 8 full weeks left in 2025 to build a strong base before racing in 2026. I’m aiming to take on 2-3 new running coaching clients before the end of the year. If you’re looking for weekly guidance to help you hit your running goals, message me.

10/29/2025

Went as Krampus for the Halloween run with the . No, I didn’t run full costume 😂

10/29/2025

Why you shouldn’t hold the weights when you squat.
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Performing goblet squats where you hold dumbbells or kettlebells in your hand is a great introductory squat exercise, warmup exercise, or drill to improve squat depth but it should NOT be the primary exercise used to build lower body strength. Its is far more effective to use a barbell, smith machine, or other gym machine.
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Holding weights isn’t ideal because your upper body and core will limit your squat strength FAR before your legs do. And the purpose of doing squats is obviously to strengthen your lower body. If the limiter is your upper body, you are selling yourself short.
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As an example, I was doing barbell squat sets of 4-5 reps with 250 pounds recently. There’s no chance whatsoever I could hold two 125 pound dumbbells. I would probably max out my upper body holding two 60lb dumbbells which is only 120lbs and less than half of the weight I’d need to get a good set of 4-5 reps in.
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Got questions about the squat? Comment below and I’ll do my best to answer them. I’m giving out 25 FREE Barbell Squat Assessments to runners in the area. Lmk if you’re interested and I can get you signed up

10/28/2025

Grateful for another opportunity to speak with the Pre-DPT club at AU this afternoon. It’s cool seeing undergrad students motivated and interested in the field I love so much and also seeing how many of them are so far ahead of where I was at that time

10/28/2025

How often should runners squat? My short answer is twice per week. However, the best answer is based on a variety of factors including primary goals, recoverability, and the time of season. I’ll discuss these points below:

🔵Primary goals- if you’re reading this, you’re most likely a runner and using squats as a means to improve your running performance. However, even amongst runners, people have different goals. I, for example, have a training goal of improving squat strength in addition to my running goals. Some squat-specific programs have squats assigned 4 times per week while others have them once every 5-6 days. It just depends.

🔵Recoverability- Some runners recover faster than others when it comes to both fatigue and soreness from strength training.

🔵Time of race season- If you’re base building, it’s best to strength train your lower body 2-3 days per week. However, during a race-specific phase, once a week is plenty.
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I’m giving away 25 FREE Barbell Squat Assessments for runners in Augusta, GA. Comment if you’re interested and I’ll send you sign up info

10/26/2025

I’ll be posting about barbell squats over the next 4 weeks and giving out 25 FREE Barbell Squat Assessments for Runners in Augusta, GA. Comment if you’re interested and I’ll send you sign up info
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Here are 5 reasons I love barbell back squats for distance runners.
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1️⃣They’re a foundational movement pattern used in both athletic and everyday tasks
2️⃣Squats provide a great stimulus for improving strength and hypertrophy (muscle growth) for the quads, glutes, and hip adductors
3️⃣They provide axial loading, or loading which occurs through your spine, which has been identified as a protective factor against sustaining a running injury
4️⃣If performed deeply, as they most often should be, improves ankle, hip, and knee mobility
5️⃣While it does require equipment, squat racks are widely accessible in most commercial gym settings and aren’t overly expensive if seeking to buy a rack for your home

10/18/2025

Good luck to everyone running the ’s Savannah River Marathon event!

10/18/2025

Good luck to everyone running the Augusta Run Club’s Savannah River Marathon event!

Address

1264 Merry Street
Augusta, GA
30904

Telephone

+17062502226

Website

https://holtonphysicaltherapyandperformance.com/what-is-the-running-readiness-scale-and-can-it-be-used-to-determine-runn

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Clay Holton, The Running DPT

11/04/2025

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10/29/2025

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