Exercise Injuries
« Previous EntriesHappy New Year!
Sunday, January 1st, 2012Read a short piece of New Year’s advice from Kim Watkins, Owner and Celebrity Personal Trainer at inSHAPE Fitness. Short and sweet, it’s also very practical and easy to put into practice.
Back to Back Workout from inSHAPE (Aug 9, 2011)
Tuesday, August 9th, 2011This free workout from inSHAPE (www.inshapellc.com) focused on back strength as a function of traditional core workouts. Check it out!
The GO Band is here!
Friday, March 25th, 2011For years, our team has worked with light, portable pieces of resistance equipment when we go into people’s GO Band resistance equipment by inSHAPE Fitnesshomes. Though body weight is almost always sufficient to achieve an effective workout, props are often a powerful tool in pushing clients through to their next strength level, providing variety, and simply having more fun with a workout. inSHAPE has now developed its own piece of equipment, called the GO Band.
Bad Back Blues (Jan 19, 2010)
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010Ever wake up to a sore back? Wince each time you rise up from your office chair? If so, you aren’t alone. Estimates vary, but most experts agree that the majority of us experience lower back pain at some point in our adult lives. Acute back pain warrants medical attention, and you should see your doctor if you have any concerns about your specific condition, but here is some background on why so many of us suffer day in and day out, as well as a number of recommendations for mitigating the pain.
No Excuse Tip of the Week: Contract Your Abs and Sit Up Straight! (Jan 18, 2010)
Monday, January 18th, 2010Your mom probably told you to sit up straight when you were a kid. Whether it stuck or not, we’re taking her place and telling you to not to slouch. What’s more, we want you to squeeze those abs as you sit in order to stimulate your core muscles intermittently as you toil away at your desk, read the paper on the train, or catch the evening news on your sofa.
One of the main reasons that millions of Americans suffer from back pain is that we sit for most of the day. One recent study reported that adults spend 90% of waking hours sitting, which causes more strain on the back and hips than does standing. In addition, muscles throughout the core (glutes, hips, stomach, sides, and back) relax and weaken over prolonged periods of time. Slouching exacerbates the physical affects, though for whatever reason, it seems more natural to people to curl themselves into their chair rather than support the parts of the body that are at risk.
Do you SKIP the Cool Down? (Nov 10, 2009)
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009The cool down is a topic that hasn’t been researched as much as the warm up or actual workout, and there’s some confusion about whether or not it’s a necessary component to a well-rounded fitness routine. Recently, the New York Times ran an article saying that the “cool down” wasn’t a necessary and that it had no impact on helping alleviate muscle soreness after a workout. So, what’s the truth?
Lessons From The Tarahumara (Nov 3, 2009)
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009The running of the 40th New York City Marathon was a tri-state spectacle to behold. With 42,000 participants and more than 2 million spectators along the course, it was one of the largest single sports events ever. An American male won for the first time since 1982, an 82 year old female finished her 22nd in a row NYC marathon, and there are just scores of other inspirational stories among the finishers. If you aren’t a runner, this time of year may go almost completely unnoticed; but for those who strap on their running shoes even once or twice a week, the fall breeds interest in the sport on many levels. One of the manifestations of this increased interest each year is the release of at least one new book about running; this year’s Born to Run by New York Times writer, Christopher McDougall, provides an insightful perspective of modern problems with running and why running shouldn’t have to hurt.
A Common Marathon Setback (Oct 20, 2009)
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009I started competing in track and field at the age of 12. By the time I was 15 I had horrible knee pain. Although I achieved much success in my athletic career, I suffered chronic pain and at times, debilitating injuries to my knees. After many years of physical therapy, I was finally diagnosed with a common runner’s condition, Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS). With the marathon fast approaching, I decided to share my knowledge of this condition, and offer some tips on how to recognize, prevent and treat ITBS.
Recovering With an Action Plan (Sept 29, 2009)
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009The period between Labor Day and the start of the major holiday season is often when people push their bodies hard. Whether it’s to prepare for an event like a charity race or marathon, or just to work a little harder after the summer vacation season, many people end up with injuries and stiffled motivation due to fatigue after just a few short weeks. One of the most important ways to fight this condition is to fight the urge to take the day completely off after a big workout. “Active Recovery” will help your body recuperate and keep your mind focused on your goals. Read more to learn ways to actively recover and help your body stay strong and injury free.
Take an Active Role in Stretching (March 24, 2009)
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009We can’t stress enough the importance of incorporating stretching into your fitness routine. When you push your body as hard as inSHAPE clients do, you can’t be negligent with your muscles’ flexibility. But what’s the best way to stretch? There’s confusion when it comes to what type of stretches should be done and when, so this week, we want to highlight a type of stretching that differs from traditional (static) stretching: active - or functional stretching.
« Previous Entries