A Complete Core Workout for Runners
Running can place up to 3 times your body weight of force on the body. Because of this extremely high demand, having a strong core is important. The core muscles include the diaphragm, transverse abdominus, rectus abdominus, obliques, pelvic floor, and multifidus. These muscles provide stability to the trunk when the arms and legs are being used, as well as through an axial load (which occurs during running). A strong core to absorb all of the force described above with running is critical to prevent injuries. Below you will find a complete core workout to help encourage core strength to help prevent injuries.
Hip Pain in Runners
With the fall weather and cooler temperatures here, running has become a more popular form of exercise. With increased running also commonly comes an increase in injuries, specifically hip pain. Hip pain can have a variety of causes, and it can be structural, overuse, weakness, etc. Most commonly in runners, hip pain is caused by increasing mileage too quickly and muscular imbalances/weaknesses. Hip pain can be prevented in runners by increasing mileage at an appropriate rate, performing a dynamic warm-up and cool-down, and performing hip strengthening exercises. Below you will find strategies to help prevent hip pain while running.
4 Tips to Help Kids Find a Love for Exercise
Does your child have an affinity for the couch, computer, or tablet? Do you struggle to get your child to engage in sports, outdoor play, or physical activity? Here are some top tips to help foster a love for exercise in your children:
Easy to Moderate Outdoor Activities Anyone Can Do
With the warm weather across the country, there will be plenty of opportunities to spend some time outdoors. Why not use some time to exercise while you’re at it? Below you will find a handful of easy to moderate level exercises that anyone can perform outside.
4 Kettlebell Strengthening Exercises
Kettlebells are some of the most efficient training modalities available. You only need one kettlebell to perform the exercises, which can be done anywhere you take the kettlebell. The exercises are also very easy to set up and transition from one to another, making it an effective cardiovascular activity. There are many options of exercises to choose from, some exercises being more challenging or easier than others and can be scaled to your fitness level. Below I will highlight four exercises that hit just about every muscle in the body, and a full workout can be done in just 20 minutes. These basic exercises should be done for 2-3 months before increasing the technical difficulty of more advanced exercises. A simple routine would be to perform each of these exercises three times per week, doing three sets of each exercise for 15 repetitions.
Body Weight Exercises for Beginners
Are you getting back into exercise after a long time off? Or maybe you’ve never exercised before and aren’t sure where to start. For some, the thought of lifting weights can be a little daunting. For others, getting to the gym can be tough due to the time commitment or schedule conflict. A research study performed in 2021, showed that body weight exercise improved cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). CRF has a direct correlation with mortality and disease risk. Simply put, if someone has better CRF, their risk for disease should lower. These bodyweight exercises can be performed at home and will provide a nice starting point for beginners on their fitness journey.
Static Stretches for Improved Flexibility
Are you dealing with tight muscles, or maybe you don’t feel very flexible? When used correctly, stretching can be a useful tool to address tight muscles and improve muscle flexibility. Recent studies have confirmed that performing low intensity stretches over a long period can improve flexibility. Let’s look at a handful of simple stretches you can do to improve tight muscles.
How to Get the Most out of Your Workout
There are often multiple desires when it comes to exercising. We want to look better, get more toned, feel better physically or psychologically, or lose weight. It is possible to achieve many of these things simultaneously but having a goal and an exercise routine geared toward your wants and needs is the road map that can make you more successful. This blog will discuss strategies for goal setting and the SAID principle to help you choose activities to get the results you desire.
